Don't forget about Happiness

[Irish Oisin]

Hi fellow nerds,

 

I'm new to the forum here but I've been browsing the site for a while and I've posted a few topics already myself and been passing along words of encouragement, something which is a wonderful tradition on this forum. It's great to see people achieving their goals that they once thought were out of reach or unrealistic, but through hard work, a clenched jaw and confidence bolstering words from other NF members, they accomplish their aims. 

 

I see a lot of frustration from people who aren't hitting their targets, which is understandable, but I have a concern that too many people equate happiness with their physical form. Being skinny/in shape/fit does not equal happiness, but when some people don't reach their target weight or their target body shape, it is as if all of their happiness has been riding on this, and as a result, they're miserable.

 

Yes, losing weight CAN make you happy, but it's not the ONLY thing that can make you happy. Pop culture and celebrity obsession has taught people, even since they were small children, that you must be a certain size in order to be beautiful and if we're not THAT size, then we're ugly. How many times have we heard about how a model or actress/actor is fat, when they're actually in great shape. I checked my BMI last night and according to BMI, I'm overweight, and I can say confidently, I'm not, I'm in great shape. But people check these evil numbers and take them for truth and it leads to a tremendous amount of unnecessary self loathing.

 

True happiness is like a house, you build it one brick at a time and it has several rooms for different purposes, so don't bet all of your happiness on your appearance, your appearance improves as a side effect when your happiness improves. So fill your life with good friends, variety and things that make you smile in the smallest of ways

[Sandylion]

 

I have been obsessed with being a 'healthy BMI' for a looooooooooong time.  I was there, for just a little while and I was so excited! But after like an hour, when I looked at myself in the mirror and realized.... I don't look any different from yesterday when I thought I was still 'fat' the glow went away and I just felt sort of silly.  Its funny how we make these constructions of 'necessary' goals and really, it's all in our head.  

[Irish Oisin]

I'll post a picture of myself in the gym tomorrow on this thread to show how "overweight" I am, can't quite get a good picture in work, hahaha!

[Georges]

This kind of came up in another thread and someone posted this link: about how an unhappy woman didn't magically find happiness at a lower weight.

 

Edited to add:  I think the best take away from the topic is your title.  Pour all the effort and thought and energy that makes you happy into your health and fitness, but

Don't forget about Happiness!

[Elastigirl]

Yes, you are spot on. I think the Rebellion does a good job of balancing working for goals/vs happiness when we encourage one another. I know there have been times when I've been down and  people have reminded me of all that I've done and it has helped me to focus my piorities