The Truth About Abs - Or Rather, Ads - Lose Your Weight Problem

The truth about abs...or rather ads is that they create a weight problem that make people feel unsatisfied with their body and want to lose weight, so they go on diets to become skinny.

"You've gained weight." Whether you feel that is a compliment or a put down, depends on whether you have been influenced by ads for abs. In America, the media is enamored of thin supermodels and lean torsos. Celebrities and public figures are showered with attention for their petite body and lean physique.

There is certainly a lot to admire about great health, but when there is too much emphasis on the image and the pressure to conform to a certain body type, it causes unintended effects.

A study done by Dr. Anne E. Becker of Harvard Medical School surveyed people in Fiji to calculate the changes in dieting and eating-disorders after American TV shows began broadcasting via satellite.

In 1995 they conducted a survey before broadcasting began on their only TV channel - there was one reported case of anorexia nervosa. Being thin was thought to be frail and unhealthy. Both men and women idealized the stronger robust body type, it was a sign of prosperity and living well. Weight was openly talked about without embarrassment and "You've gained weight" was a common compliment.

Three years later, 69 percent were on diets and 74 percent of teenage girls felt they were "too big or fat," according to the study. Several girls reported they wanted to look like the women on shows such as "Beverly Hills 90210."As one girl mentioned, "In order to be like them, I have to work on myself, exercising and my eating habits should change."

A fascination of "I want that body" and calorie counting had begun. There is a whole industry built around this - books, diets, fitness plans, medication, surgery and exercise equipment are all designed to get women to be more beautiful, more thin, and more alluring. For men it is to become more physically strong, dominant, and cool.

But the average body type in the glossy ads, are anything but average. Less than two percent of the population in America have this body type. The average American girl is 5'4" and weighs 140 pounds; the average American model is 5'11" and weighs 117 pounds, according to PBS' "Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorders and the Family."

With a body type that is out of line with 98 percent of the population it creates what psychologists call "cognitive dissonance." Cognitive dissonance is an uneasiness in the mind that is caused by holding two contradictory beliefs or attitudes. This becomes mentally uncomfortable and motivates a person to change their cognition, attitude or behavior. 80 percent of women experience this as they feel unsatisfied with their body and some 10 million have eating disorders according to PBS. Though eating-disorders are more complicated than being simply caused by media, it has been suggested that media is the catalyst.

What is more dangerous than ads for abs, are the persuasive product promises, says Abby Aronowitz, PhD author of Your Final Diet

"Companies use perfect bodies to point up our own body image dissatisfaction in order to sell us products to change that dissatisfaction. But when the diet doesn't work, or the cream wears off or the lingerie doesn't give you the bust line of your dreams, you feel like you have failed -- and that's when our self-esteem really plummets"

Many food products are labeled "low-fat", "low-sugar", or "zero calories." Companies know people will buy and consume their products if they haven't "sinned" against their diet. Many energy bars are nothing more than glorified candy bars with ingredients, like high-fructose corn syrup, that are thought to be the leading cause of obesity. Some people are calling the marketing of junk food and fast food the next tobacco industry.

Overcome these messages and lose this weight problem. When the lights and eminence have been stripped away, it's nothing but an empty image of success that has been manufactured through fame, glam and Photoshop. Achieving it won't bring fulfillment, and few actually will, if that's a good thing.

What does lead to fulfillment is fulfilling true values of health and fitness. When you focus on the roots, it leads you in a natural and effortless way towards your real goals of increased energy, physical performance, and a zest for life. From the roots of clean food, enjoyable activity and a clear mind will spring forth the fruit a bright looking body.

Eat clean, nutritious foods because you enjoy the benefits of increased energy, mental alertness and fuel to perform, not because you need to drop a few pounds. When it is done this way, your body will naturally return to a healthy state.

Enjoy physical activity because you love doing it, not because you hate your body. Find what activity fills you with enthusiasm and excitement, and this will translate into exceptional results. Enthusiasm and excitement are the driving energy for performance and fulfillment.

Keep your mind positive and clear. There is a Chinese proverb that says, "Outside noisy, inside empty." Though the media may create much noise, don't absorb it. Choose your own thoughts, consume material that brighten you up, material that feeds a healthy way of thinking. Done in this way, you will have self-respect and a healthy attitude.