Want to Impress People? All it Takes Is Exercise!
Categories: Happiness, Fitness, How to Be Happy
PrintWant to Impress People? All it Takes Is Exercise!">
I'm sure many of you have heard, time and time again, about the numerous health benefits that exercise can provide for you, such as protection against cancer, heart disease and obesity. However, did you also consider the benefits exercise can have on your image? That's right, being active can also help to bolster the impressions that others form of you (a fact that may have come in handy for this past Valentine's Day).Self-presentation is a term that refers to processes by which people attempt to monitor and control the impressions others form of them. At work, one may laugh at a colleague's joke that is not funny at all, while on a first date one may skip dessert to avoid seeming overindulgent. These are all examples where self-presentation comes into play. Exercise is not an exception.
Many studies have shown the self-presentational benefits of exercise (known as the 'exerciser stereotype'). A recent study conducted at two Canadian universities (University of Alberta and University of Western Ontario) illustrates the exerciser stereotype among 470 respondents. In this study, participants were instructed to "think of people who do not exercise regularly" and were then asked to rate them on a series of personality (e.g., motivated, happy, undisciplined) and physical (e.g., healthy, fat, energetic) characteristics. They were then asked to "think of people who exercise regularly" and to rate them on the same list of characteristics.
Who do you suppose had the better rating?
Overall, these 'people' who exercised were rated more favourably on 91 percent of the measured characteristics. That is, the exerciser was perceived to be more energetic, happy, motivated, disciplined, committed, fit, busy, concerned about appearance and health, strong, and healthy than the non-exerciser. Other research has found that exercisers have also been rated as better looking, having more friends, braver, kinder, more confident, and even friendlier than non-exercisers! So this exerciser stereotype exists, and may have profound implications on how people perceive you even on characteristics that may not even seem remotely related to physical activity!
So what does this mean for you? Well, if you are looking to impress others, whether it be on a date with a "special someone" or when chatting to colleagues around the water cooler, make sure to slip in a little information about your exercise habits. Perhaps mention to them about the ball hockey game you played with the guys the other night, or how you and the girls have a designated "weight-training" night. While you may not be the most avid exerciser, even just by telling others that you partake in some type of physical activity will help to create a favourable image of yourself. Hey, you may even start to practice what you're preaching -- or at least that's what my husband believes!
Remember!
- In addition to the physical and psychological health benefits, exercise can also provide benefits to your image.
- Just by telling others that you partake in some type of physical activity will help to create a favourable image of yourself. So start spreading the word!
This story was written by Dr Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos who is a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Physical Education and Health at the University of Toronto.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dee 2-20-2010 @ 9:45PM
Personally I dislike the fact that people may do things just to set
an impression. I think people should just be themselves in order to
be be accepted "as that". If you are just yourself then perhaps a
relationship won't go 6 months with a person as life is rearranged to
be with them only to find out that's all gone out the window to a
fake. If you can't accept a person in spite of what they wear or eat
then it would be shallow. You don't base love from materialistic
ideals. A fitness nerd may actually adore the opposite. So just be as comfortible as possible , if you like to eat a lot then that's your
own thing don't FAKE that you don't. Shove it in your mouth.. If it
upsets the other person then OH WELL.. better to know how they react to that upfront. It may even help to draw them out.. Attitude says much! (in an opposite sense) Why would I want a guy who constantly critisizes my eating or exercise habits. Go opposite and find out more about the other person. .. ha. Would be a sure way to sift out an overly sensitive person who can't maintain a relationship unless everything is programmed perfectly FOR THEM so you have to live in their bubble. If he doesn't like that your house is a mess a day that he comes in then it's a sure way to find if he wants MAID SERVICE. If he wants a perfect body then he's not loving you so much for your heart.. just an object. Then what happens if your body changes through child birth and age. There are some things we just can't help. Be slow to get to the car and see if he has a raging fit. Don't simply try to IMPRESS... besides that, upon meeting others they are not going to SEE that you are one who works out. I see extremely slender people who barely flinch a muscle or walk 15 feet. I also see very thick people who are high energy and exercise regularly. Unless you are just walking out of the gym as you meet, how will they know of it. One may only go 3 times and never again. As for clothing, I know of women who believe it or not, purchase an item to wear for an occasion then return it later. That to me is NOT impressive! I'd rather be with an honest bum than a well dressed schemer/liar. The fancy new cars.. notta' chance in fooling me. I suppose it may make one appear to be financially fit but how much is he owing that he can't pay for? The handy man is more impressive. If he can love an old car well then perhaps he can love you that way rather than just treat you as a trophy. Wining and dining in a fancy place.. Nope! I think if one puts in an effort to spend time and energy with you, perhaps prepares a meal or takes you for a walk or a bikeride then that's a good thing. Impressions can go many ways. Just be you!
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dmom 2-21-2010 @ 3:11PM
Dee;
I read your post here and can't help but hear the hurt in your words. It seems as though you are reacting to a particular person or moment in your life rather than to the actual acticle.
Personally I found the article to be very true and as much as I might not like it I have to admit when I think of the people at work who I know work out regularly, I have a much more respectful view of them than the people who I know don't.
Why don't you try something new yourself? Not as a way to try and impress anyone just as something to do. You might be surprised by what can happy when you make a concious effort to make positive changes in your life.
Take care!
Dee 2-21-2010 @ 4:32PM
In regards to your comment, dmom, I have always lived my life as a good upright citizen and did nice things for others. Although it was never "to impress". It was from my heart. You don't really gain positive changes just by exercising. In fact, there are enough deceitful people in this world who may hate you over how well you do. You can never overcome the mean people you meet in your life just by looking good or thinking well. The very best you can do is just be happy with being YOURSELF with little regards of how it "impresses" others- Do it for you! I was directing my comment at this specific topic. Other things mentioned were used to balance out my claim for debate. You can't really just a book by it's cover. That perfect figure in the gym could be the most evil out there. Tell me that that Air Force commander wasn't well conditioned. The route of a person is in their heart and the true reasons they do what they do... Not merely for selfish gain. (outside of health and safety sense of gain of course) I've known of some people who work out a lot but were stuck up snobs or with a terrible control like demeanor. Some forms of "perfectionism" has to be all ONE WAY.. THEIR OWN. As in they may expect people to dress how they say, eat what they say, do what they say, follow their religion and even hold their fork as they claim is proper or they deny you of being in their social circle. Why rearrange your life to "impress"? We were put on this earth to be allowed choices. Hopefully we can or will all make the healthier or wiser choices for the best quality of life for ourself & those we love but never just to put up an impressive front. You can bend and break yourself so much just to impress or "please" others but then you can lose yourself in the process.
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Dee 2-21-2010 @ 4:58PM
What I meant to say is that you don't receive positive changes "IN OTHERS".. of course you would gain the many other benefits to your well being though. Also, I meant to say that "You can't always JUDGE a book by it's cover" Plus, a 20 minute workout in a gym then sitting behind an office desk 8 hrs, may not compare to an hour of walking or biking & other things that are unthought of as exercise.
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Deborah 2-22-2010 @ 12:54PM
Hi,
but on th flipside, being yourself is bit negative too because you are assuming that you don't need to change. However everyone needs to improve and change. I think that this article is factual in a sense in that all it shows is people's opinion. There is nothing wrong in telling the truth about how people generally think. The question you are answering to is how this affects you.
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yoohoomissblue 2-24-2010 @ 9:12PM
"BEING YOURSELF IS NEGATIVE" ... That statement in itself is negative. Whether you change or not people don't give a crap! Do it for you. Likely people who expect perfectionism want that as their own trampoline. Do you smoke & drink?? Do drugs? Aren't those very NEGATIVE vices people have? Self improvements should be ONLY FOR YOU and to perhaps to INFLUENCE your loved ones to attend. Example; if you have cancer, heart issues or diabetes in the family your change is UNSELFISHLY influencing or helping them. That's what LOVE does! Others who resent you whether you are fat, skinny, short, tall or whatever don't know anything about LOVE anyway and really are not worth your focused efforts.
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yoohoomissblue 2-24-2010 @ 9:20PM
In reality, sometimes negative thinking leads to a positive goal with a positive outcome. Being NEGATIVE isn't always such a bad thing. We can be our own best critics as well as our worst. What others see in you as NEGATIVE isn't really always a negative. By example to suit my theory, I was always told that I'm a cry baby if I cried.. TOO SENSITIVE. However I had to face tremendous ordeals throughout my life. I was reading an article lately that mentioned TEARS and how it was actually a health benefit to cry because it removes germs and bacteria from your system. Also I'm a sweater when I workout. My daughter is the same and some people say EWW. Females don't SWEAT! Well frankly after reading this article and seeing the scientific proof I know it's a very POSITIVE thing as others want to mark it as negative. Thank goodness my sweat and tears are helping to keep me healthy while I have nobody else to help me do that.
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