Research...

In order to change the body, the mind must change first.

For my body to change I must address my mind set and behaviours. I think the best way of doing this will be through research. So I decided to look at the consequences of living a poor lifestyle and identified Britain's "5" biggest killers as a way of doing this.

• Stroke
• Cancer
• Lung Disease
• Liver Disease
• Heart Disease

Between them they cause up to 150,000 deaths a year among the under 75's.
The department of health estimates that 30,000 of the deaths could have been avoided through better lifestyle choices.

The biggest risk factor to health...

• Smoking  
• Being overweight or obese
• High blood pressure

100,000 die every year due to smoking.

Obesity is on the rise in the UK with the amount of adults with a healthy BMI falling to just 34% in men and 39% in women!

In 2011 53% of obese men and 44% of obese women were found to have high blood pressure.

To think, I fall into one of these categories which has really brought home how important it is that we all make better life choices, myself included, as this is a stark reality of what the future could hold.

Source: Source: Unhealthy Britain: nation's five big killers By Michelle Roberts,Last updated, 5 March 2013, [online] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21667065, accessed 27/01/14

I need this project!

Recently, I had to face the fact that my health and fitness has made it's way to the bottom of my ever expanding "to do list". I have two jobs and study full time, that old chest nut has been used as an accuse on more then one occasion over the last couple of months. Thanks to this, I have piled on the pound and at 12 stone 6 3/4 pounds I am now the heaviest I've ever been!

At 12 stone 6 3/4 pounds this is the heaviest I've ever been!

 

I am officially, clinically over weight, which means as well as effecting my confidence and literally, none of my cloths fit, this could also effect my health. As been over weight means I'm more at risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes in later life and at 32, later life no longer seems all that far away! 

This has also effected my skin, as I already have an underlining condition known as acne rosacea so I should be doing more to look after my skin which means been more aware of what is good for my body.

  Tried, red bloated face and skin which I attribute to my poor diet and lack of exercise.

 

Yes indeed, I would say looking at me this is the perfect time for body sculpting if not for my health for my looks, as this is a real confidence buster looking and feeling like this!

Project introduction

My body, my health...

This new project I am about to embark on, is quite different from any other work I have done, as it will challenge me both personally and professionally.
I plan to sculpted my own body by adopting a healthy lifestyle in order to address some of the issues associated with poor health in Britain.
In order to do this, I will change my diet and increase my exercise addressing any behaviours that could attribute to what is conceived as unhealthy living within our society. I will also use less conventional but none invasive methods to body sculpting such as, facial massage and yoga, demo roller and body brushing.
I hope these changes will make me look and feel healthier. I will use various methods to record my transformation, which I hope will assist me to create an installation that will demonstrate the benefits healthy living has to offer.

Why go healthy...

I have many reasons for wanting to do this project both Personal and professional. However, one of the main reasons is because Britain's health is a hot topic and is often a source of interest in current affairs. I believe this is down to the fact Britain has fallen behind many Western countries on progression in managing preventable diseases which is attributed to poor lifestyle.
Given the debate that surrounds the issue there doesn't seen to be a great deal in terms of help, support and advice for addressing issues associated with this.
Another reason I felt it was the right time to do this project, is based on how I feel about my body. As a woman, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say, that I feel a great deal of pressure to try and look half descent in order to meet expectations associated with aesthetics in society. I have always struggled with my physical appearance and as a result have somewhat bought into an industry that, in my opinion, feeds off insecurity at times, "The beauty industry".
I was always on the look out for that miracle cure or that quick fix for losing a few pounds! Now, with an increase in plastic surgery recently making the news and so many quick fix diet options on the market, it's became apparent to me, that people are opting for "beauty over their health". This really makes me question our ethics as a society.
It was this that made me think, what if the miracle cure for looking and feeling good can be attributed to living a healthy lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to state the obvious by saying a healthy lifestyle is good for us, as I'm sure on some levels most people know this. However I don't think people are aware of all the benefits not just to our health but also our looks!
That's why I think this will make such a fascinating creative project, if I can capture all the physical benefits a healthy lifestyle has to offer in a visual format, this may encourage people to make better choices;

"If not for their health, for their looks"

Source: Unhealthy Britain: nation's five big killers By Michelle Roberts,Last updated, 5 March 2013, [online] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21667065, accessed 27/01/14