"Healthier lifestyle" for looks vs "healthier lifestyle" for overall health; what is your ratio?

[Prof_Don]

DISCLAIMER: "healthier lifestyle" = improved diet, as well and improved activity levels (I hate the word "exercise"; sounds like a chore)

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Some people follow a healthier lifestyle for aesthetic reasons, cauz they want to look good in their swimwear, in their dresses, suits, jeans, etc...and overall want to look their best by having their body, as well as several parts of their body (abs, midsection, arms, back shoulder, etc)...

...to look as good (fit, sculpted, sexy, or any adjective this person strives for) as possible.

Some people follow a healthier lifestyle for health-based reasons, to prevent major illnesses (cancer, stroke, etc) and minor illnesses (flu, high blood pressure, etc) as much as possible...as well as also being focused on having high energy levels and mental alertness.

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Both are extremes, and most people are a blend of the two. But let's be honest...most people are usually more focused on one or the other; it's rarely a perfect 50-50 ratio.

So my question to you is...what is your ratio of concern for "looks/physique/aesthetics" and "overall good health"?

Please vote on the poll and elaborate as much as you like.

Thanks for your input. :)

90% for looks/physique, 10% for health

75% for looks/physique, 25% for health

50% for looks/physique, 50% for health

25% for looks/physique, 75% for health

10% for looks/physique, 90% for health

[Darkfairie17]

As much as I would like to have a banging body, I workout and eat healthy for health reasons only. If I lose weight or look better, that's a bonus.

The way that my health is right now, I am sick. Not from anything I have done, just a natural progression of my hypothyroidism. For whatever reason, my body is getting worse. So at this point, working out and eating right to have a nice body isn't very plausible (I know that sounds bad, but this has been a 6+ year spiral)

I used to be a 50/50 split. I could eat healthy, workout and feel amazing and look great too. But now that the issue has worsened, I'm more concerned with only being healthy.

When I was in high school, I only did it for looks. But now that I am an adult, I do it for health :)

I think the fact that my illness has worsened over the years has made me appreciate and prioritize health over my looks. Especially having this so young, and having to worry about things people who are 60+ worry about. But if that means I will be around longer, so be it.

Not that I look bad, I have a good body shape for my weight. I am a broad hourglass, so I don't look that bad. I have only gained about 40lbs from this. But my diet has improved over the years. I eat much less than what I used too back when I was doing better. The focus now is mainly just being healthy :)

It's especially odd for me because I am so young. Most people my age are only concerned with looking good. Nothing wrong with that, but that is just how it is. But I still workout, I walked to and from the grocery store today, which is a decent walk. And I had heavy groceries. I walk most places, opting not to take the bus.

From eating better, I have noticed my energy is better. Sleep is easier, and more effective. Also, I know down the road that my health will be better in the long run if I develop these good habits now :)

[Lights]

I think most people would agree working out to look good and working out to be healthy is about a 50/50 ratio.. at least for any normal person it should be for the benefit of being overall healthy and to be able to look in the mirror knowing you look like a healthy, confident individual that has a positive self-image of him/herself.

the sad part is I know so many guys who solely work out to look good (or think they will by doing so..) they take steroids, drink mass amounts of protein shakes and other pills just to achieve muscle gain in the shortest amount of time.. this obviously isn't healthy.

Some men have this image of being bigger will get you more girls, in-power you and make you feel more like a man.. I don't think so, I think they look like complete idiots. When really they're just obsessive as a girl who refuses to eat and is suffering from anorexia (in extreme cases).

Hitting up the gym should be about taking care of yourself mentally, physically.. and to overall feel good. (:

[Prof_Don]

I completely agree with the last sentence. :)

[ryanfromhere]

How about for "survival of the fittest" reasons? We are essentially primal beings, so it's not only for looks in my mind, but knowing you can physically dominate other people can give you confidence in yourself and your abilities as well as make you attractive to women. A lioness doesn't want a p****cat... she wants a LION.

[WeaponZero]

I don't care about looks. I care purely about function. My goals and motivation stem from the benefits of being stronger, faster, more agile, have greater endurance, and an easier time shopping for clothes because I don't have an oddball size.

[Prof_Don]

Funny...when I wrote this poll question, I knew that if you saw the question (it got featured so I certain that you did)...

...that you'd be an "E" voter.

8-)

[WeaponZero]

what gave you that idea? =P

[janelle615]

I voted D but I think I should have put E. Like most girls, I'm a self-conscious person. I honestly do not like my body the way it is although I know it cannot be a lot worse. I'm wide and almost flat. But I have a wide stomach. Also, I have love handles so wearing nicely fitted dresses won't work for me. Right now, I'm working on it and is slowly but surely seeing improvement. When, I get naked around a dude, I'm totally uncomfortable and shy at first. I just want to get into that shape where I can feel confident and sexy.

As for health, I am definitely concerned and it is so much more important than looks. Since I have a wide body and love handles, I have an apple shape body. My hip to waist ratio is disproportionate. This is my fault. I ate way too many carbs like white bread and white rice, drink soda or have eaten out way too many times with lack of exercise. This apple shape body is linked to diabetes cancers and heart disease and I don't want that. Nobody does. I'm afraid what is going to happen to me when I'm older when after I get pregnant or when my metabolism slows down. I'm trying my best by changing the way I eat to get my body in proportion reducing those inches off my waist.. Haha, I don't wanna die young or struggle when to walk up the stairs. Thus, at age 19, I'm glad I'm aware of what can happen to my body and overall health. Overall health enriches your life and its a gift that you should not be taking for granted.

[Prof_Don]

You're too hard on yourself, Janelle.

Your body doesn't look like your in the "health risk" range. :)

[queefy]

Well I voted D because if I take care of my health it makes it that much easier to take care of body. Eating well and avoiding toxins as much as possible keeps my skin fresh and gives me lots of energy to exercise. Plus it keeps me happy, playful and good humored.

[Prof_Don]

I like girls that are happy, playful, and good humored. :)

[queefy]

I don't know anyone who likes a girl who is always sad, dull and ill-humored. So even if I was the prettiest girl in the world, with an undesirable personality like that I'd be very lonely. Not good :(

[AmberChick]

It's between C and D for me. Exercise makes me feel better about myself , puts me in a great mood, and overall helps me breathe easier in tough situations. That has to do with my health I think. In terms of physique, that's why I started exercising to begin with (in high school, I wanted to lose some weight), but that's not why I continued. I continue for the health reasons and the physique is a bonus.

[Anonymous]

For me it's mostly about trying to be healthier and haivng more strength and endurance. I'm already comfortable with the way I look and my goals for when I exercise never revolve around losing weight. I get happy when I can run a certain distance in a faster time or I'm able to run farther than I did the previous time. Losing weight/looking better is just an added bonus to the healthier lifestyle.

[britannny]

I do it for the sole purpose of looking good.

I hate working out. It IS a chore. If I could, I'd sit around and eat junk food all day.

[Prof_Don]

Did you vote on the poll?

[rachel05]

B.. a big chunk of it really is because of looks.. honestly.. a little bit is for health.. but honestly.. if I feel good.. I'm less likely to do tons of exercising haha.. just being honest.

[toolt00l]

I chose B. I definitely do it for looks. But at the same time I love feeling like a healthy lean mean fighting machine where I feel like I can do anything without getting tired.

[NewYorkCity]

Health is beyond importance than looks. Besides you can get both, be 100% healthy while looking good, it just will take a looooonger time to achieve that.

[Frostie]

I do it mostly to feel better. Exercise is a stress relief for me,and other reasons. Looks can apply to feeling more confident, although overall, its a stress relief, and am not doing it 24/7.

[ben890]

E. I don't care if having a healthy lifestyle makes me look good. In fact, I'd do it even if it made me look *worse* :P

[Prof_Don]

How do you think you look "worse"?

[ben890]

I don't know, say we're in some alternate universe where exercising makes you fatter but it still makes you healthier. Or maybe I can't exercise without developing so-big-they're-gross muscles. I'd still do it.

[shotou]

C, because both are important to me (-_^)

[Catie101]

70% looks, 30% health

[Xx_DRE_xX]

I love working out, no idea why but I do haha.

[Prof_Don]

What'd you vote on the poll, dude?

[Xx_DRE_xX]

I put down A.

[Moloch]

100% for health, I can eat whatever I want.

[lee-cooper]

i don't live a healthy lifestyle

[Anonymous]

mainly for health, but looks dont hurt either :P

[froggyboy51]

looks +feel=win win

[Prof_Don]

Which one is more of a priority...the "looks" or the "feel"?