Having Abs May Not Fit Your Lifestyle – And That’s Ok

Last Updated: Aug 19, 2021 by Michael Fouts

Estimated reading time: 3 min

And you don’t need abs to be healthy, nor does having abs mean you’re healthy.

Trying to obtain, or maintain, a leaner physique comes with consequences; typically the more lean, the more consequences. I encourage all my new clients to read this blog post, so that they can read the message within this video or this post (written version); or at least read the summary I’ve put together below.

Why is this so important? Because it will help equip you with a better understanding, and context, of what having different physiques can mean from a lifestyle standpoint.

Here is the summary of the video, and written post, linked above:

  • Physique, and different levels of leanness, is a spectrum based on different consequences of circumstance and decisions.
  • Health, Body weight, and Body Composition are affected by different factors: Nutrition, Physical Activity, Stress, Sleep, Work, Social Life, and Personal Time.
    • Each factor can be impacted differently and they are often interrelated.
  • Example 1. Anthony and Valerie have very amazing physiques, and everyone wants to look like them. But this comes at the sacrifice of: poor social lives, little personal time, and their nutrition is very structured and controlled with little flexibility for things like alcohol or desserts. Maintaining their physique is a full-time job, on top of their full-time job.
    • Costs: 1. It can be all-consuming; 2. Social events can get really awkward; 3. They miss things that used to interest them (e.g. practicing violin); 4. “Fitness” can start to feel pretty crappy.
  • Example 2. Dev and Sarah are both overweight, sedentary, and pretty stressed; the depiction of most North Americans. Their physical activity is poor, and so is their sleep and stress, but their social lives are generally good, they have more personal time, and they choose to eat any food that they want.
    • Costs: 1. Don’t feel very good; 2. Their health is starting to decline; 3. They’re pre-occupied with their body image.
  • You don’t have to be Anthony and Valerie, or Dev and Sarah – you can be anyone you want, and be anywhere along the spectrum. Just know that there’s more to physiques than the external look, and it’s important to consider the different factors involved in deciding what type of phyisque you want and why.

There are different benefits and consequences, beyond the external image, involved with different physiques. You should strive to choose a physique that matches what’s really important to you: your values, priorities, and goals – not just what you look like in the mirror.

Further, know that you can always change what’s important to you at different times in your life; we aren’t always in the right place or nail our workouts, nutrition, or health in general – see the infographics below.

Photo credit

Most of us just want to feel great in our bodies, be free from health worries, and have more energy – like the video suggests. You can get all of that without having abs, while still enjoying some of the finer things in life – like burgers and beer.

To be clear: I’m not arguing for or against being lean, rather advocating achieving the physique you want for the right reasons. Also, it should be noted that regular exercise is always important. And, to be healthy “internally” (low blood pressure, proper blood glucose levels, etc.), you don’t always have to have an externally superior physique. One’s weight, and BMI, isn’t always the best way to suggest one’s health; read this for more on this.

Till next time,

-Mike




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