A Healthy Dose of Vanity is a Good Thing

We’re conditioned to believe that vanity is wrong and it’s shallow to focus on your appearance.  It is often associated with insecurity and very little else going on under the surface. In some religious teachings, vanity is considered prideful which is one of the 7 deadly sins. But then we know that some organised religions have form when it comes trying to keep the individual small.

 “a healthy dose of vanity can be really helpful in helping you look after your body and reach your fitness goals”  

Now I’m a big fan of NOT focusing exclusively on aesthetic goals. In fact, I’m a big believer that focusing on skills based goals instead of the weight on the scale is more successful in getting you to reach those aesthetic goals. BUT a healthy dose of vanity can be really helpful in helping you look after your body and reach your fitness goals.  Especially when you’re struggling to get yourself moving.

Skills such as learning to do a handstand, a pull up, an L-sit, bodyweight squat, 100kg deadlift will need focus, commitment and more often than not, get you the desired aesthetics in the process.  As well as pretty cool bragging rights of course.

Achieving these skills takes HARD WORK but will likely get you looking pretty damn fit in the process. But often doing hard things and simply getting ourselves moving can be a struggle and so combining the two motivators can really help get you to do the things which then results in building confidence and self esteem.

Now I’m not saying that your level of confidence or self esteem should be based on what you look like or your achievements.  Definitely not.  

BUT…looking and feeling strong undoubtedly has a positive effect on self esteem.  

Doing hard things builds self esteem, resilience and a tolerance to stress.  Being physically strong makes us mentally stronger.  Moving well and being able to carry out daily activities without the risk of putting our back out or pulling a muscle allows us to enjoy life with more confidence.  

And conversely, not having those things often results in lower confidence and higher levels of self doubt.  

At our core we are primal and instinctual beings who are driven by the desire to attract a mate.  When I found myself single at the age of 40, this was a definite driving factor for me.  I wanted to feel good, I wanted to look and feel attractive, I wanted my body to be an authentic external expression of who I want to be.  A healthy, active woman who makes the most of life.

But what about health as a motivator?

The problem for most people is that health can be quite an intangible and ‘far off’ concept to use as a motivator when things are going well. And often it’s not until we start getting older or things go wrong when we realise the importance of looking after our body.  At that point it can be too late.

I was raised by a mum who always looks classy and loves a bit of glam.  She taught me that looking after my appearance is a form of self respect.  During my moody, goth, teenage years with my 90s monobrow, I wasn’t interested in this message…but somewhere along the line it sunk in and stuck with me.  

 “We can’t rely on feeling motivated all the time”

It’s important to add that this is not about beauty standards.  This is not about anyone telling themselves they should be a certain size or look a certain way.  It is certainly not about saying smaller is better as we know this is often not the case.

I believe everyone should make their own rules and feel good where they are right now.  This is where we have to start.  I just want this to be a helpful mindset shift that boost both self respect and helps you achieve your health goals.  And I want you to know that it is more than healthy to take pride in how you look and use this as a motivator. We can’t rely on feeling motivated all the time. Sometimes it’s hard to get moving so we have to use all the strategies and mindset tricks we can!

A HEALTHY amount of vanity can be a positive force.  However, there is a fine line between healthy vanity and compulsive obsession which breeds an endless and soul destroying quest for perfection and external validation.

This is why I am a bit fan of combining physical skills and movement with a hint of vanity.  It is more balanced and combines natural human instinct with longevity and physical strength.  The side effect is often increased confidence, self respect and self esteem. If a bit of vanity drives you, use it to your advantage!

If you are looking for help to reach your training goals, I’d love to help you. Get in touch.

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