The Quest For The Perfect Physique

Social media is inundated with many adverts advocating for the perfect curves and ultimately, the perfect body in every sense. The pressure to have the Kim K or the Tyson Beckford looks drive us to all kinds of experiments to attain that physique.

Others become anorexic in their quest of losing weight and staying slim. Others go for plastic surgery to alter their looks in extreme ways. For some, it is the desire of appearing fairer, thus the craze for the hydroquinone effect. Whatever it is, at a point, most of us, if not all of us have been dissatisfied with our physical appearance.

Growing up, I hated my lips! I wished they were smaller. I wanted to smile showing my teeth effortlessly. I was very conscious of my physique and that led to a never-ending battle with low self-esteem. I’m sure if I had the means to alter my looks, I would not have hesitated!

You see, instinctively, we craze for acceptance and attention. We want to turn heads and be the topic for the prettiest or most handsome. I believe the desire, in and of itself, is not entirely wrong. There’s nothing wrong with hitting the gym to shed some pounds. For others, altering their looks become necessary due to certain ailments which call for such enhancements. Essentially, it all boils down to preferences and choices.

But here’s the crux of the matter: If we are very honest with ourselves, we’ll realize that our desire to go under the knife stems from discontentment with our physical appearance. We purchase the fairness cream to bleach our skins because we have it ingrained in our minds that fair ladies are beautiful and that our natural skin tones are horrible. We hit the gym because we notice how people with the curves and six packs are getting all the attention- the end goal does not become losing some pounds to stay healthy but building the body for some Instagram fame!

With the advertisement industry consciously or unconsciously enticing us with pleasing products, the obsession for the perfect physique has grown immensely. Paul Suggett says the following, “Advertising is not just a reflection of pop culture and societal trends; in many ways, it can influence them as well. And over the last 20-30 years, the links between advertising and body image cannot be ignored. While the vast majority of these effects are on women and girls, the growing effects on men and boys cannot be ignored either”. Ad critic Jean Kilbourne says the following:

“Women and girls compare themselves to these images every day,” said Kilbourne. “And failure to live up to them is inevitable because they are based on a flawlessness that doesn’t exist.”

I am in no way advocating for a sluggish lifestyle. Of course, we must take good care of our bodies and present ourselves well. At the same time, do not kill yourself to be who your future self might regret. Be confident in who God has made you to be and walk in that strength. Beauty, they say, lies in the eyes of the beholder. Someone somewhere is dying to have what you call imperfection. Develop a heart of contentment and gratitude and watch how you will gradually come to a healthy understanding of how unique you are.

No matter what’s fuelling your desire for the perfect physique, understand that this obsession can have grave consequences on how you view yourself and consequently, how others treat you. I used to wear jeans trousers or long skirts to cover my right leg which had a big scar. The fear of being ridiculed for that scar made me very shy and prevented me from pursuing friendships et al.

One day, I decided it was enough and could care less what others thought about me. I was peaceful about the fact that they would be people out there who would love me for who I am and it was silly to cower because of other people who probably thought less of me. Most importantly, I was certain of the Father’s purpose for me and His opinion mattered more!

Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Do not let society tell you otherwise.