Body Image

And why I’m not sure if I’m supposed to have one

I don’t think that anybody should pretend to ignore their health as an excuse to be fat and pretend that they’re happy.

Carrying around excess weight isn’t good for your body, and the brain gets messed up trying to reconcile the views of the public against the views of the self.

For the purposes of full disclosure, here are my stats:

• Age: 28
• Gender: Male
• Height: 182cm
• Weight: 105 kg

Is this unhealthy?

I’ve got a Fitbit, with which I’m aiming for 15k steps per day. Sometimes I make the target, sometimes I don’t. I’m not too concerned, as long as I do more often than not.

My diet isn’t anything special. I don’t care to count calories or track my intake in any way shape or form.

Although I am conscious that I should take the healthier option more often than not. But that doesn’t stop me from ordering in a pizza on occasion.

So why am I confused about my body image?

Well, peer pressure. Everyone around me is starting fitness regimes, I work with gym bunnies, and I’ve always considered myself fat and unhealthy.

Is that the correct approach?

Sure, I might not have the body I’d ultimately like. I may not have the strength and fitness that others around me do.

But, I do have the will power to give it my all.

I had a day off work, and rode 47.27km. I wasn’t trying to achieve anything, I just wanted to go for a ride.

Each time I arrived at a waypoint, I told myself to go further. Not once did I feel like I had to turn back, or feel out of energy. I just kept going.

And for that, I should be proud of myself and stop judging myself too harshly.

Some might not consider 47km a long way, and now that I’ve done it I don’t really either. But considering I hadn’t done any preparation, had an empty stomach, and did it just because I could… I’m proud of myself.