Yeah, but what about the fact we have these bullshit 'beauty' ideals to live up to in the first place? If people 'gym it up' shouldn't it be for health reasons rather than vanity (or wanting to be f**ked)? And shouldn't people be taught to accept and love what they've got? To appreciate the diversity in how we all look?

You don't need to go to the gym to be healthy. Health is a lifestyle, not an activity.

Dee

You've got hair?

You lucky, lucky basket!

At the age of 20 somebody at work looked at my head and asked me how long I had been riding a motorcycle to work. I told him I came on the tube. So he said 'why are you wearing a crash helmet then?'

I didn't say you needed to go to the gym to be healthy, but for people who do go to the gym, health should be their main reason, shouldn't it?

Silver, even cars have botox now?! What is the world coming to...

Cath

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Damn, Dee, you got there first!!!

Cath, what are you going to do, pull them off the running machines if you don't approve of their motives?

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Pressed send too soon. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and they are often interconnected - healthy body, healthy mind (I'll spare you the Latin). Exercise produces endorphins which make people feel happier - I think that's to be encouraged.

Skippo

In the beauty industry it is called botox, in the automotive trade they call it filler - or is that the other way around?

The procedure that freaks me out is the 'designer vagina'. Too much, too far.

Beadle

but for people who do go to the gym, health should be their main reason, shouldn't it?

Why should it? It's a leisure activity. To some, it's about health, to others, endorphines, yet more still, about using the body's natural strength to reach a better physical condition, even others about pushing the limits on what human beings can achieve. There are likely other reasons I haven't listed here.

Ultimately, it's for your own reasons, none of which necessarily have to relate to either vanity or health.

I'd say broadly speaking, all those reasons pretty much relate to health, IB!

Aah, Adele, you've found out my hobby! I currently tour all the gyms in Tower Hamlets interrogating people about why they are there and burning copies of popular magazines. I'm hoping to expand to Hackney soon.

Actually, what I'd really like to do is tour gyms and get rid of those over-pumped blokes who make extra-loud grunting noises when doing their weights. Toooooo much testosterone!

Cath

p.s. I do go the gym myself sometimes, y'know. After having 3 bikes nicked last year, I decided it was the only sensible cardio option left (even though I find the 'mechanicalness' of gyms a bit depressing).

Cath, I know what you mean about 'mechanicalness' - I watch MTV to try and keep myself awake. However, my fave gym activity is a dance based class called Body Jam, which is fun and doesn't feel like exercise, although you get a good work out - definitely recommended!

I just love yoga, even though I've been slack lately. It's just that really I need a cardio exercise to accompany it.

OK, Beadle, what's this designer vagina stuff? Or do I really want to know?

Skippo

It was described to me by one of the women I work with as something to do with 'tightening'! I caught a snatch of it (hur hur) when I tuned in to 'Plastic Surgery - Live!' or some such thing by accident on... Channel 5 of course.

Vanessa Feltz was on the programme - introducing, not, you know... - and she said "now we're going live to a Dr's surgery in Miami" and, boom! There it was. I had to turn over to Question Time. Not nice.

I'm not sure of the finer details, but I'm sure a trawl via google will enlighten you and provide details of your nearest operative.

Beadle

I'd say broadly speaking, all those reasons pretty much relate to health, IB!

Getting high on endorphins is health related? A healthier body may, and I do stress may be a by-product of such activity, but it is not necessarily the reason for undertaking it.

*Crossing legs and definitely not checking Google*

Endorphins, as Adele pointed out, relate to mental health. Health isn't just a physical thing.

Anyway, I'm an utter hypocrite 'cos part of me does do it out of vanity, even though I resent myself for it.

Oh God, someone tell me to do some work today!!

Cath

*Sigh*

Exercising for endorphines is an addiction to the pleasure felt when they are released by the brain, not an effort for enhanced mental health.

IB,

I can't remember if I've said this to you before, but you so remind me of my brother (the attitude in the writing - fiction and e-mail), it's scary!!!!

I take your point, you're talking about intention. But my original point was focusing on what the intention shouldn't be, that's all!!

Cath

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What intention shouldn't be in an ideal world, of course....