What Does Everyone Else Think About ‘You’?
There is a false dichotomy that assumes you and your body are two different things. You and your body however are one and the same, and there is a growing body of scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact there is little if any evidence for anything but this claim.
There is no way she is the same person on the 'inside' either
In a social world where everything is relative, other people will judge you both on what you do and how you look. The only sensible and realistic way to understand how you fit in is be able to see yourself as others see you. (and I’m not talking about your mother or your significant other who see’s you with rose colored glasses on)
I’m talking about everyone else who see’s you objectively with no bias one way or the other.
Weather or not you like it, people will pass a judgment about you as soon as they lay eyes on you and far before they’ve ever had a chance to get to know you. This is the proverbial judging the book by it’s cover (which by the way is exactly what we all do…when was the last time your eyes were drawn to the book with the worst looking cover?)
Likewise if the look and shape of your body changes, people will immediately assume that something has changed in your life.
Whether or not you want to accept that other people will judge you by your appearance is your choice. But that doesn’t change the fact that people do it.
It doesn’t matter how special your mother or your significant other thinks you are. What matters is what you think of yourself. And the way you view yourself will also be reflected in the way you take care of your body.
This brings up an interesting thought experiment, and that is:
If it were somehow possible to live in a society where you were the only human being, would you bother to workout or pay attention to your diet at all?
John
10 Responses to “What Does Everyone Else Think About ‘You’?”
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January 26th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Maybe I’m taking the question too literally, but no, I wouldn’t. If I were the only human, there would be no means by which I could spread my genes, and thus, there would be no biological imperative to make myself as attractive as possible to the opposite sex.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I would still try to lose weight. Vanity is certainly the main reason I want to lose weight, but being roughly 70 pounds overweight, there is the possibility of Type II diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, etc. I occasionally experience some discomfort in my knees when I walk, so I’m already a little concerned about this. Needless to say, if I didn’t need to look good for anyone else, I would still want to look good for myself and for my own self-esteem, and I would want to avoid these health problems.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I definitely would because when i don’t exercise, both for running or weight/resistance training, I feel completely off that day if I don’t do one or the other. Even just 15/20 minutes, heart rate up and a fine layer of sweat on my skin, is all I need to set my day off right. if I were the last person on earth, I think you’d need this level of fitness and strength even more– for survival, the reason we were meant to move in the first place!
January 26th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
[...] John Barban says that you are your body. [...]
January 26th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I would definetely not workout or diet. Anyhow, if i were the only human on earth, i would have to hunt and gather my own food, so i doubt being overweight would be an issue.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I would work out. Working out makes me feel really good while I’m doing it and this feeling can stay with me throughout the day. I also like to know that I’m strong. Strength is important to me. In a world full of people or full of animals, strength and athletic ability equals safety and protection. Furthermore, healthy/fit people enjoy a better quality of life.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:42 am
Does it work the other way around ?
When you lose (a lot of) fat, will your personality change ?
Or will you still have a fat-ass personality in a skinny-ass body ?
January 27th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Another hot issue, John! Oh, sure I would work out and eat healthy!
We really are soooo preoccupied with the outlook. Dieting and working out is not simply about our look. Discipline and priorities shape your personality, you are right there, John, We have a mind and a body to look after, they serve us well if we use and treat them well. We have abilities we are supposed to make use of. A healthy-working, able mind and body makes you the person who you are. The most important thing is WHAT exactly you do with your life – your very actions, and that really includes your body AND mind.
I only wish people would find the right balance, and make as much sacrifice for their mind, education, polish and personality as for their body.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
The two photos of Kirstie at the top don’t really single out her weight as what has changed. The one on the left is red-carpet-type, with make-up, posed, and smiling. The one on the right is unposed, with no makeup, wearing comfy clothes, and not smiling.
I’d say her weight makes a smaller difference in how she looks in these pictures than the situation of the photo.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Depends on the person.
I’ve often said that the more “in shape” you get, the more you have to be aware of how you interact with others.
The same cocky attitude that is “cute” when you’re overweight turns into arrogance when you’ve lost the weight… even if the attitude is the exact same (though most of the time its not, getting a better body for a lot of people is like drinking alcohol or making money, if you’re an asshole before, you’re just a BIGGER asshole afterwards, and vice versa).
The key is the realize that this happens and self check yourself.
Confidence is almost assumed by others when you have a better body, no need to “prove” it…
… it ends up being overkill.
B