Comfortable In Your Own Skin

What do you see in when you look in the mirror? Are you happy with what you see? Do you obsess over your body?

Like many other people, I am a victim of my own body conscious mind.

Growing up I was called thin, skinny, scrawny, gawky, bean pole (you get the picture), and I wanted nothing more than to be big and strong...face it I wanted to be Hercules (and what man doesn't?).

When I look in the mirror now, I mentally know that I am "bigger", more muscular and it is thanks to the hours I spend each week in the gym. But for some reason it is still not enough. I want more ("I want an Ompa-lumpa daddy!")

Why am I (and everyone else I know) like this? To begin with, the media imagery and practice of plastic surgery make us feel that perfection is out there.

We all know those skinny bitches on magazine covers are airbrushed, that the fat was sucked out of you favorite celebrity's ass and pumped into his/her lips and that the really buff guy at the gym has help from injections of steroids.

But I will admit that I don't feel pop culture is really to blame here. I mean we are all rational, logical thinking adults and should know that perfection doesn't really exist. Having surgery, doing drugs or trying the new fad diet really only puts you at risk. You may look good but if you die tomorrow does it really matter?

So what is my message? Well, I think it is important to wake up and realize that your body can only be what it was intended to be (and here is the shocker, that might not be exactly what you want imagined it to be)

Remember, all the exercise is good even though you may not have those 18" biceps you want. And if you really want to drop a dress/pant size, eating healthy and exercising is the surefire method.

Be happy with who you are and be realistic about what you can be. It is healthier in the long run.