The Epidemic of Self-Sabotage

Here's an amazing article on Gwenyth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson's new show, where they explore what happens to women before they embark on a healthier path in life. And guess what? It's not vanity, but the realization of the impact that caring for yourself has on your life. It's pulling yourself up in life by the understanding that you, your physical and mental health, really matter.

Tracy Anderson offers her own personal and insider perspective on society's attitude towards celebrity bodies:

The celebrity obsessed aspect of our culture is a curse. A lot of these celebrities are not healthy in real life. Why they get put on the cover of a healthy magazine like they are the picture of health or why they get airbrushed in half to look like they achieved something that isn't realistic? I think it's disgusting; I have major issues with it.

This, I find, is fascinating, as I had always assumed Tracy Anderson was someone who was fully immersed in this culture; it's also refreshing, and somewhat liberating to hear, as it's easy to be sucked into a world of 'I'm not this, so I'm not good enough'. She laments that, despite being in the fitness business for fifteen years, no one is interested in actual sustainable health, but simply being 'red carpet ready in 10 days'. I have to say I agree; while aesthetics are important to me, it feels that we live in a society where people have the need to be better than everyone else; look better, have a better career, family etc., and make others feel bad/insignificant in the process.

But, this sabotaging of others comes from our own insecurities and (perceived) inability to see that we can be anything other than what we are now. Anderson laments that people self-sabotage: they're afraid of improving themselves; of taking a look at their lives, habits, diet, and deciding what they really need to change to be healthy. Note: not perfect, not a human form of air brushing, but fit, attractive, healthy for them.

Like I said, aesthetics are important, and I find it strange when people deny that. But it's not about being perfect. It's about what you think looks good, not what people tell you does; it's about taking care of yourself, through diet, movement, whatever, and loving the shape that your body takes. That's the beauty of true health, not fad or fear of not being 'celebrity' good enough. The honor and celebration of who you are through your habits and choices.

And the best side effect of being healthy? You're going to look smokin' hot.

So, put your magazines and conceptions of Hollywood bodies aside and go take care you yourself. Go discover your own aesthetics. Take a look at what you can be doing differently to start being sustainably healthy today.

You'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.