Why Don’t I Look Like My Physique Yet?
There are so many things you can control in life, and your genetics is not one of them. Other than going to the gym and plastic surgery, you have little to say about your appearance – and even so, you may have less control than you think.
Blame your genetics
Clothes, makeup and hair aside, what you see in the mirror is dictated by a unique set of genes that you have inherited. Apart from gene therapy, which doesn’t exist yet, there is little you can do to change or control bone structure, muscle structure, and fat distribution.
If you delve into the very essence of matter (pun intended), bone structure is probably the largest – and least malleable – part of your form. Take Hugh Jackman vs. Chris Hemsworth as an example (Thor vs. Wolverine – if only). Both are clearly athletic, but Jackman has proportionately wider hips and Hemsworth has broader shoulders. You cannot change this basic pattern, but you can selectively train your muscles to create the illusion that things are a little different.
Unlike your skeleton, your muscles are somewhat more flexible; you can create them or break them into parts as you like. Moreover, the way they look in any condition is controlled by their attachment, that is, the place where the muscle connects to the bone. Some have higher firmware, others lower. In the case of your biceps, a higher insertion will make the muscle longer but less “pointed” (ie, rounded), while a lower insertion will make it shorter but more rounded. So, for you pilates / barre fans, you can’t get your muscles “long and lean” as directed by your instructor. Their date of birth was determined at birth. You only control how much they grow.
Finally, there is the distribution of fat. As you may have noticed (and complained), your body intelligently or not very intelligently stores fat in various parts of your body: thighs, face, arms, torso, and so on. But on a deeper level, it also stores this fat in different ways. The main classifications are subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (around your organs).
Subcutaneous fat is the one that you are most likely to notice simply because it is more visible. This is what contributes to sagging arms and thighs, big buttocks, cellulite and male breasts. On the other hand, visceral fat is the main culprit in the formation of what is colloquially known as the beer belly (the representative body of the Pope ). As you might have guessed from the general topic we’re discussing, you can’t really tell how your body distributes fat between them or where your body stores them. You only control how much fat you store overall.
Your goal may be unattainable
Now you are probably a little angry at me for breaking your dreams. Sorry to be oppressed, but given the odds of inheriting the magical configuration of all of the above, you are unlikely to match your target physique to T.
However, this does not mean that the target body is useless in your fitness quest. It is just important to understand that this is an ideal, not a form that you need to fit perfectly into. But too often people don’t remember about it. I’ve seen so many obsess over the smallest details of their physique – the thigh gap was the worst offender – that they ignored or discredited the rest of the progress they made. In this trap is easy to fall when it is your only standard assessment and can cause real damage to your motivation .
It is also harmful if you misunderstand what this goal is. It’s easy to be dissatisfied with your body. Ultimately, this is what usually triggers lifestyle changes. But you need to wonder if you want to change that because you are unhappy with your appearance and think you deserve health, or if you are projecting dissatisfaction with your life onto your appearance. Don’t fall into the trap that combines “perfect physique” with the success and happiness of the people who have it. A superficial change does not compensate for an emotional deficit.
What should you aim for instead
If you need to focus your energies on something, be realistic: Going for a Victoria’s Secret body when you are folded like Beyoncé is a pointless (and, as we argue, completely wrong) exercise. Use your goal as inspiration to continue your efforts, rather than expecting it to match exactly. And if you can do without visual motivation, do it. The best approach is to strive for the best version of yourself . Channeling your efforts inward for self-improvement will always be more effective and rewarding than trying to achieve something that you are not.