“Treat your body like an instrument—not an ornament.” —Gary Thomas
Our society struggles to find a healthy image of the human body.
On one end, we obsess over it. Americans alone spend over $10 billion dollars/year on plastic surgery. New diet fads surface and fade away at a dizzying pace. Magazine covers promise 6-pack abs in grocery store check-out aisles. The average woman spends 2 weeks a year on her appearance. And 77 percent of adult women complain about their physical appearance.
And yet, despite all the cultural fixation on beauty and outward appearance, 60% of Americans are either overweight or obese. Only one in five adults meet federal guidelines for both aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercise. We spend over $100 billion dollars/year on fast food and average 34 hours/week watching television. Even more of us see little connection between our physical bodies and the lives that we lead.
Both views lead to disastrous outcomes. On one hand, an over-infatuation with the body leads to an unhealthy relationship with it. We base our happiness on our physical appearance or use it as a means to impress others. But an unconcerned, dismissive image of the human body leads to an unhealthy lifestyle with unhealthy choices.
What approach might we take that balances both and keeps our physical bodies in proper regard? Or better yet, what perspective might motivate us to care for our bodies properly without becoming obsessive over it?
The key, I believe, is to understand our physical bodies are the instruments through which we accomplish our unique purpose in this world. (tweet that)
Our one physical body represents an important tool to accomplish important good works. In this way, they must matter to us.
No matter what our greatest pursuit is in life, our physical bodies are essential to accomplishing it. Whether I desire to be a good parent, a spiritual mentor, a world-traveler, a successful businessperson, or any combination of the above, my body is either an asset or liability.
This is an important change in our thinking. We do not care for our bodies simply for vanity’s sake or to fill a void within us. We care for our bodies so we can more effectively accomplish what we most want to accomplish with our lives.
This approach motivates us to make healthy choices in a healthy context.
How then, specifically, might we care for our bodies to keep them both healthy and effective? Consider these 7 intentional steps:
1. Fuel properly. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Their contribution to healthy eating cannot be overstated. The goal in our home is to make meat the side dish rather than the main dish.
2. Hydrate sufficiently. Every system in your body depends on water. According to the Mayo Clinic, you body probably needs 9-13 cups of fluid each day (depending on your gender, size, and activity level). Consider 8 glasses of water each day as a really good place to start.
3. Exercise frequently. The CDC recommends 150 minutes/week of aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week—that’s just a bit more than one full-length movie and sitcom. If you are intentional about getting exercise, you are meeting this suggestion. If you are not intentional about getting exercise, you should probably start.
4. Rest regularly. Your body needs rest. Get some each week.
5. Eliminate unhealthy habits strategically. Eat less junk food. Drink less alcohol. Smoke fewer cigarettes. Read more labels.
6. Don’t compare foolishly. Your body is unique and your goals are unique. Care for your body as an instrument through which to accomplish your unique purpose—not as something to be compared to others.
7. Make changes slowly. Pick one item from this list you can improve upon. Start there. And experience some victories before moving on to the next.
Amanda says
I need to work on the rest :) Great post !
Amanda@livinginhismercyandgrace.blogspot
Kush Sharma says
Great post! As far as eating less of unhealthy food is concerned, I’ve found that my natural inclination towards it reduced when I started exercising.
I think the therapeutic effects of exercising make your body used to that wonderful feeling, and you naturally develop an aversion to anything that is unhealthy. And when this comes naturally, it’s always better.
Lot of people think it’s a sacrifice to give up junk food. But in my opinion, it’s just a natural reaction when you get in touch with who you are. Mediation and exercise are great ways to let this feeling come naturally.
I genuinely don’t feel like having junk food nowadays and it’s a wonderful feeling.
Kayse says
My father once said about his own appearance, “If you don’t like how I look, don’t look at me.” I really think he was just grumpy when he said it, but I truly think it was wise. It has always stuck in my mind, and I’ve come to find that it fulfills my own perspective on appearance. It’s so important for us to realize that, like you said, our bodies are our vehicle for accomplishing our purpose in this world. We should treat them well and fuel them properly.
Lisa Byrne says
I love what a few of the folks comment on here: basically, do something good for your body. And your mind. And spirit.
We show up in the world in relationship to how we feel about ourselves usually coming from the inside and emitting outwards.
It is your mind that drives your body and we all know a mind can be a powerful force. Good, bad, or indifferent.
A good book on this subject is called “The Culture Code”. It gives a good understanding behind the motives of why we do what we do and the author shares a lot about what Joshua brings up: image, diets, beauty obsession, over infatuation. But also on the real stuff underneath that which matters- movement being a big piece of living a good life.
Thanks for your share Joshua.
Kent Julian says
Outstanding!
I’d add “age gracefully.” I’m not a super old guy yet, but I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I have to be okay with not running as fast as I used to (I race a lot of 5k and 10k). I have to be okay with looking in the mirror and seeing an older face than I think I should see.
Lori says
Yes, thank you for adding that Kent. Aging gracefully has become a life goal. I constantly ask myself how I can be 45 in a different way than desperately pretending I’m still in my 20’s.
Karen Anne says
My goal is to age with 1. Grace 2. Gratitude 3. Good Humor. All are essential!
Natalia says
Beautiful.
Brooks Palmer says
I’m bald. Sometimes I wish I had a full head of hair. But when I think about it, no one notices or cares either way. And most of the time, I don’t care…I had a double lung transplant about ten months ago. Today I’m doing really well. Basically I’m glad to be healthy and alive again. The details about I look have become greatly unimportant.
BrownVagabonder says
Giving up television was the best thing I ever did for my self-esteem. As a 30 year old female in this selfie-obsessed society, I know that most females are unhappy with their bodies. It is so common to be unhappy with your body that someone who is happy with their body is considered to be an oddball. I realized that watching television, reading magazines, watching advertising, all resulted in my body esteem being lowered. The minute I stopped watching all of this and went back to doing yoga, reading great books, writing, cooking, and other things I love, my self-esteem and body image rose up dramatically. Thanks for the post!
Judy says
It’s a sad society. How about some truth in advertising…like someone with yellow teeth trying a whitening toothpaste! Or a huge man on the package of underwear marked XXXL…not the buff torso they show.
De' Hoover says
Yes!!
Sheena says
This is the best article on this subject I have ever read.