do you like your body?

[cacian]

please say what you like about your body if you voted yes
and if not
why not? :)

[Volya]

More or less yes. People tell me I have a decent body and that I'm quite muscular, but personally I feel I still need to work on it before I'll be 100% happy with it :)

[hannah_arendt]

please say what you like about your body if you voted yes
and if not
why not? :)

Yes, I do:)

[cafolini]

LOL. I don't talk about that because I don't know, but I have the suspicion you'd like it a lot more.

[Ecurb]

I'm hardly ever sick, although old athletic injuries have slowed me down a bit. I was an all-conference ice hockey player in college -- thanks, body! I suppose I'll like my body if it gets me up the East Face Route on Mt. Whitney, which I have a permit to climb with some of my friends on August 11th. It has me a little nervous, though, because I haven't done much technical climbing in 20 years, and I'll be flying into San Fran on Friday, and summiting (if I make it) on Monday, which doesn't leave much time for acclimatization. I've suffered from altitude sickness in the past, and hope to avoid it this August. Come on, body, do your thing!

While I'm blabbing about mountaineering, here's my off the cuff list of best mountaineering books:

In the Shadow of Denali -- Jonathon Waterman This may be my favorite moutaineering book (and although I've slacked off in the last decade or so, I'd read almost all of them before that). It's not as well known as some others on the list, but if you like mountaineering literature, don't miss it.

Into Thin Air -- Krakauer -- I've red three or four other books about the same disasterous Everest expedition, but this is the best.

Annapurna: the True story by Dave Roberts. Harvard educated Roberts has written dozens of great climbing stories, but this is my favorite. Maurice Herzog's "Annapurna" was the best-selling moutaineering book in history prior to "Into Thin Air". It chronicled the first ascent of any 8000 meter peak, in classic militaristic, patriotic, hyperolic style (and it's still well worth reading). The 4 key climbers were Herzog, Lionel Terray (the greatest French expedition climber, who also penned one of the best climbing autobiographies, "Conquistadors of the Useless"), Gaston Rebuffat (who also went on to write lyrical climbing books, such as "Starlight and Storm"), and Louis Lachenal, who, along with Terray was the greatest of French alpinists. Revisionists have tried to suggest that the team faked the ascent -- Roberts chronicles the revisionist version of the climb, and the conflicts between the personalities. At one point, he finds the original, handwritten manuscript of "Conquistadors of the Useless" -- a book that critics thought must have been ghost written, becausse Terray had never progressed past 8th grade in school. Hardly a word had been changed.

The White Spider by Heinrich Harrer. Harrer was one of four climbers to complete the first ascent of the Eigerwand, the last of the great alpine faces to be climbed. He later wrote "Seven years in Tibet", his chronicle about escaping from a British prisoner of war camp during WW2 (he was on an expedition to the Himalayas at the time), hiking over the Himalayas into Tibet, and tudoring the young Dalai Lama for seven years. One can only wonder why the Brits thought they had any chance of holding him prisoner.

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson ---- Epic adventure at its most thrilling. In the sequel, Simpson recounts winning the Booker Prize for non-fiction for this book, beating out (I forget which) world famous writers. It was the high school dropout Simpson's first book (but not his last).

[Lokasenna]

I've always had a very negative body-image, though since joining a gym a few months ago I've started feeling better about my body for the first time ever. I'm healthier and fitter than I've ever been, and that makes me feel quite good - particularly given that the weather is so hot right now that going shirtless is almost a necessity.

[Helga]

I voted yes because in general I am (though, after a big meal I'm not). I have in the past had some issues but nothing big and nothing I have ever wanted to change. Never done any exercises or been a part of any sport and I really don't like the gym, went once with friends and found it too hard. I walk a lot, mainly cause I don't have a car and I think that is enough for me.

[Ecurb]

By the way, one reason I posted my moutaineering post above is that I dislike the notion that what determines whether you "like your body" is whether you think your body attractive to others. Health and performance (it seems to me) are far, far more important.

[loe]

Health and performance (it seems to me) are far, far more important.
Right you are! *thumbs up*

And as my body seems to be quite healthy and fit enough to provide me with the possibility of hiking I can't complain.

(Thanks for the book suggestions, Ecurb. I will take a look into them.)

[Ecurb]

Right you are! *thumbs up*

And as my body seems to be quite healthy and fit enough to provide me with the possibility of hiking I can't complain.

(Thanks for the book suggestions, Ecurb. I will take a look into them.)

Heinrich Harrer was an Austrian. "The White Spider" is the history of Eigerwand climbing, including the disasters that occured before the first ascent, and some of the early ascents that followed. One of the early ascents was made by Gaton Rebuffat (who featured prominently in "Annapurna"). His party joined that of Herman Buhl (perhaps the greatest of all Austrian climbers -- some people think of Reinhold Messner as Austrian, but he's actually from the Italian Tirol) halfway up the face, and fought their way through a storm to the top. I assume the original book was written in German, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if "Seven Years in Tibet" was originally in German, either. Buhl died in the Himalayas, a couple of years after completing his most famous climb, a solo first ascent of Nanga Parbat. Terray died on relatively easy terrain in the Alps. Lachenal died in a car wreck. Rebuffat died of cancer, and Herzog died last year at age 93. Herzog lost most of his toes and fingers on Annapurna, which reduced his chances of dying in the mountains, because his climbing was limited by his injuries. Harrer died just a few years back, at age 96. World class climbers are in great physical shape, but that doesn't necessarily increase their life expectancy. I'd guess at least one of three (of the really top group) die in the mountains.

[Delta40]

I like how it is aging.

[loe]

I assume the original book was written in German, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if "Seven Years in Tibet" was originally in German, either.
If I'm not mistaken all his books were written in German first. We have some of his books at home, but apart from his autobiography "Mein Leben" (My Life?) I don't recall which one at the moment...
I remember one of his last appearances in public, where he met the Dalai Lama again in Graz (it was in 2002 or so).

Reinhold Messner is still a very present figure on TV here. A relatively new TV channel shows a lot of documentaries about hiking and climbing tours. And there Messner must not be missing.
(Yes, it is somehow funny that a man from South Tyrol is considered one of "Austria's" most famous mountaineers :) )

I'm afraid we are a bit digressing from the topic... ;)

[OrphanPip]

I'm in terrible shape and I really should do something about it, I'm not normally bothered by it though. My boyfriend is skinny as a rake and I worry a bit that as the years go by I won't be able to keep up with him if I don't start to care even a little about my health.

[Darcy88]

I'm semi-anorexic and only accept my body when it is has next to no body-fat, at which point my blood sugar goes haywire and along with it my mood, making me hate everything under the sun, my own body included. It is a lose-lose thing.

Flexibility is the one thing I prize about my body. I am extremely flexible as I stretch frequently, kind of like a cat.

[faithosaurus]

I've always been really body-conscious. I've gone through spurts of barely eating for weeks, and then when I'd gain a little back by trying to eat normal again, it just turns bad. I hate it.

[JuniperWoolf]

My body is fine to look at but it needs to get stronger if I'm ever going to do physical work. My legs are strong but the problem is my stupid twig arms.


I suppose I'll like my body if it gets me up the East Face Route on Mt. Whitney, which I have a permit to climb with some of my friends on August 11th.

I went by Mount Robson on the train last week.

http://www.guitargument.com/images/Mount_Robson_BC.summer_92.jpg

Neat, eh? Apparently only about 10% of summit attempts are successful. You and your friends should give her a shot next.

[cacian]

I've always been really body-conscious. I've gone through spurts of barely eating for weeks, and then when I'd gain a little back by trying to eat normal again, it just turns bad. I hate it.

hi faithosaurus do you do any kind of exercise?

[Kyriakos]

I voted yes. Nice to see that most people did so too :)

[faithosaurus]

hi faithosaurus do you do any kind of exercise?

Yeah, I run and bike a lot. I'd like to start getting into rock climbing, too, because it sounds like fun!

[Ecurb]

My body is fine to look at but it needs to get stronger if I'm ever going to do physical work. My legs are strong but the problem is my stupid twig arms.



I went by Mount Robson on the train last week.

http://www.guitargument.com/images/Mount_Robson_BC.summer_92.jpg

Neat, eh? Apparently only about 10% of summit attempts are successful. You and your friends should give her a shot next.

Even the easiest routes on Mt. Robson are serious climbs. Back in my youth (when I did more climbing), I did attempt Robson once. The route was the left, facing ridge in the picture (not the left skyline, but the facing ridge just over). I was one of the 90% -- there was no chance of success once the storms moved in. It's out of my league now.

[cacian]

I voted yes. Nice to see that most people did so too :)
agreed :)

Yeah, I run and bike a lot. I'd like to start getting into rock climbing, too, because it sounds like fun!

Hey I bike a lot too. I take my bike everywhere I go. I did indoor rock climbing for a bit it was hard at first but still it was worth a try. I much rather be outdoors for exercise :)

[JuniperWoolf]

Even the easiest routes on Mt. Robson are serious climbs. Back in my youth (when I did more climbing), I did attempt Robson once. The route was the left, facing ridge in the picture (not the left skyline, but the facing ridge just over). I was one of the 90% -- there was no chance of success once the storms moved in. It's out of my league now.

Wow, so you were a serious climber. The train conductor told us that the peak of Robson is only visible around thirty days of the year because on all other days it's in the clouds. I'm on the edge of the Rockies where they boarder on the foothills, probably 50kms away from Jasper as the crow flies, but our mountains are much more gentle and you can quad up most of them. Robson intimidated me, I imagine you'd have to do a lot of this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Eisklettern_kl_engstligenfall.jpg/220px-Eisklettern_kl_engstligenfall.jpg).

[*Classic*Charm*]

I do like my body. I have never had any serious body image issues, but the more I understand it, the more I like it. I like it the most when I have the muscle tone I get from being in the saddle often, which I don't have right now.

[Ecurb]

Wow, so you were a serious climber. The train conductor told us that the peak of Robson is only visible around thirty days of the year because on all other days it's in the clouds. I'm on the edge of the Rockies where they boarder on the foothills, probably 50kms away from Jasper as the crow flies, but our mountains are much more gentle and you can quad up most of them. Robson intimidated me, I imagine you'd have to do a lot of this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Eisklettern_kl_engstligenfall.jpg/220px-Eisklettern_kl_engstligenfall.jpg).

I've spent a lot of time in Banff and Jasper National Parks (I was there two summers ago -- and spent months there when I was younger). Where do you live? Hinton?

Your train conductor was right about Robson -- it creates its own weather. The hike to Berg Lake (on the north side of Robson) is one of the most spectacular hikes in North America. My best successful climb in the Jasper area was Mt. Edith Cavell (if you know where that is).

[LiraelG]

I'm neutral really... I'm 5 foot 1 and between the ages of 11 and 15, went from 7 stone to 10 stone 5 pounds. Needless to say, I was quite overweight! I managed to lose 2 and a half stone at University, and dropped to 7 stone 12 pounds at one point. However, in order to maintain this, I had to eat about 1200 calories a day, which was not enough. I now eat 1600-1700 a day and am 8 stone 7 pounds. I'd like to be back to my Uni weight, but I don't want to eat next to nothing! I would rather be healthy and have a bit of fat than skinny. Still, I can't help but feel that, had I eaten properly as a teenager, I would be a more ideal weight.

I exercise quite a bit though! I cycle 1-4 times a week and go walking 1-2 times over the weekend. When I can't cycle (it's too dark by the time I get home in the winter), I attend exercise classes at my local leisure centre. I went to one a week last year, but hope to raise that to two next year (I am working in school years, so September 2013 to July 2014!). I also hope to attend more hardcore classes. ;) Zumba is too easy. For one week a year, I also go skiing whenever possible! I love being out and about, so I thank life for the fact I can walk, cycle, ski and exercise! :)

[JuniperWoolf]

I've spent a lot of time in Banff and Jasper National Parks (I was there two summers ago -- and spent months there when I was younger). Where do you live? Hinton?

Close(ish - close for the Yellowhead region, anyway). I live in Grande Cache, which is really isolated and outside of Jasper National Park so you might not have heard of it. You turn left at the big flashing red stop sign on your way to Hinton from Jasper, continue along that twisty road for an hour and eighteen minutes, and stop when you see the big plaster ram. Our park is called Willmore Wilderness Park. Actually, since you're the athletic type you might have heard of (or even been here for) the Death Race (http://www.deathrace.ca/).


Your train conductor was right about Robson -- it creates its own weather. The hike to Berg Lake (on the north side of Robson) is one of the most spectacular hikes in North America. My best successful climb in the Jasper area was Mt. Edith Cavell (if you know where that is).

I haven't seen it before, but I googled it just now and it sure looks steep and terrifying. I'm always impressed by people like you who have the drive to climb. Personally my favorite mountain in the Jasper region is The Old Man in the Mountain.

http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/pcimages/PC/008/web/PC008421.jpg

I always have kind of wanted to walk on his face (in a respectful way, of course).

[Ecurb]

I've never been to Grand Cache. I know where it is, and looked it up on Wikepedia. There is no scheduled bus service to the town, and although it has an airport, there are no scheduled flights. I bet it's cold in the winter, too. I bet it's a great place, though.

[Lykren]

I answered 'depends' because I don't care much about it one way or the other.

[Maria May]

I don't like my body because I'm too skinny.I eat as much as I can,but still nothing :( I'm not ill but many people think that when they see me...

[Annamariah]

I voted no. Shape-wise my body is okay (though it wouldn't hurt to lose a few kilograms), but otherwise it seems my body hates me just as much as I hate it, constantly finding new ways to make my life miserable. I have numerous allergies and therefore a very restricted diet. Despite that I constantly have eczema, and the itching rash drives me crazy. It doesn't look good, either. I've been taking sytostates for the past couple of years, which helps, but doesn't remove all the symptoms of my atopy.

[Calidore]

I don't like my body because I'm too skinny.I eat as much as I can,but still nothing :( I'm not ill but many people think that when they see me...

Enjoy it while it lasts....

[Pensive]

Yes, though everybody has been lately telling me I have a belly like a pregnant woman's.

[JuniperWoolf]

There is no scheduled bus service to the town, and although it has an airport, there are no scheduled flights.

Haha, yeah, that's us. Our "airport" is a long, straight dirt road in the woods and exists in case of emergencies. The town kind of reminds me of those obscure Conneticut mountain villages that you encounter in Lovecraft stories, but with an internet connection.

[Helga]

my thoughts on my looks today are kinda contradicting, at work an old man told me I have nice legs, that kinda creeped me out (he's just over 90). An old lady asked if I was a girl's mother, I was working with the girl and she is 19 and I am 27!! not very happy about that, then another old lady said I have a perfect figure. I am thinking about only listening to the last one.