It sounds like a superficial question and I suppose that in some ways it is just that. How we look really shouldn’t impact our self-esteem and sense of self worth. We should be measured by our actions and not the shell that covers our souls.
Now that we have gotten the standard response out of the way let’s go back to the question. Are you happy with how you look?
I’ll start. Nope, I am not happy about it. There are a variety of reasons why. I suppose that the primary is that in my mind’s eye I see a 20 year-old. Ok, I don’t really see my face, but I can see the body. I see the six pack abs, arms that were made of steel, broad shoulders that led into a wide back and small waist.
Physically that guy was in incredible shape. No responsibilities made it easy to spend large chunks of time working out, not to mention a metabolism that made it easy to eat with reckless abandon.
Now when I look at myself I see remnants of the body that was. The back and shoulders look the same. The arms aren’t cut like they used to be, but the natural strength of this Taurean body remains. The midsection isn’t so pretty. It is a little doughy there. If I flex I can see the outlines of the six pack that used to be there, but as soon as I relax the evidence disappears.
I don’t like it. I don’t like some of the things that have come with age. The hair on my head has begun to migrate to other parts of my body. A follicle disengagement is under way. I have offered subsidized housing near my forehead, but for some reason it is not all that popular.
Yet the reality is that although it bothers me, it is not enough to influence my eating habits and routine. I could do more to change. Age is not the sole reason I don’t look like that guy any more. I am married and a father, but that is not enough to explain this state of affairs.
So the only conclusion that I can come to is that I am bothered by this but not enough to change my habits. Well, that is how it has been. My goal is to change that. My desire is to do what I need to do to rectify the situation, not because of the superficiality of it, but because of common health issues.
I don’t have any health problems now, but that is not going to last forever. So here is the goal for the coming holiday season. I am going to work hard to not over indulge. I am going to work on trying to create a modern version of that 20 year old.
The goal is be able to still play ball with my children well into my 50’s and beyond so the time to start is now.
Good solid comments from all of you. Now, all I need is a firm commitment.
Interesting you should mention this. I have recently lost 20 pounds and dumped the FrumpyChic moniker. 🙂 (Which means if you are one of the few who have me bookmarked, you need to come and bookmark me again!)
follicle disengagement
LOL
Jack, Though we all lose some of our looks with age, the compensation is that we grow as human beings. And not just from side-to-side. Look at the inside and you may be more satisfied.
That said, I wouldn’t mind losing 10 pounds. 😉
As I look down at the keg that used to be a case, I recall that even when I was in shape – swimming, playing football – I always fought to keep the belly down. That only happened once. After a car accident, surgeries, and no job (try living on public assistance when it pays less than your rent) I managed to drift down to 165 pounds. My ideal is probably 210 or so. And now being at 260 is not even close! I hate it!
But I’ve never minded my own hair migration – it is what it is. My self-esteem issues have more to do with my own internal lackings than in my external weaknesses.
Good post!
I was like you too Jack. But 5 months ago, I decided I relaly didn’t like having a paunch at 33 – and I’m back regularly in the gym for the frist time since law school (10 yrs ago). I go three times a week but I go at it pretty hard. I’m really enjoying it and the results have been great.
I know what you mean Jack. I would love to look like Christy Brinkley, (I say that because she is over 50, like me) but I just don’t care enough to work that hard. But staying as healthy as you can is most important.
Sounds like a plan. I, too, am not the person I was. Although I never had the 6-pack (being female and all) I did have narrower hips. I am going to start lifting little weights at home. Building muscle will help trim the fat.