There is something terribly wrong with a culture that enslaves its members to standards of physical appearance that are impossible to follow. Here are several observations on our involvement in this entrapment.

1. The human body is more than the sum of its parts!

Since the popularity of very thin bodies, large size breasts and breast implants, we have seen a surge of interests and preoccupation with the rest of the body. Especially strong interest in body parts such as nose, lips, buttocks, smaller waist line and even the shape of our eyes. These intensified interests have contributed to appearance-obsession, perfectionism and more.

2. The price we pay: how much energy, money, mental health and productivity these obsessions consume?

The inability to focus on school, responsibilities at work and everyday life processes is an expensive pre-occupation. Many who are inflicted with appearance-obsession do not pay attention to their own intimate relationships, to their real bodies' health needs and productivity. Body parts and their looks take priority and suck the energy out of our life.

3. One more extreme: the denial of the presence/existence of the real body.

In many cases, the experience of having and knowing our own body has been denied. The human body may be experienced as an object outside of ourselves. Years of neglecting the health of our physical aspects translate to eating disorders. Chronic problems from neglect affect relationships with self, others, family members, intimate partners and functioning at work.

4. Trends for the future: scary thoughts

The obsessions with body parts come with a message to the younger generations: the human body is a temporary object, like a 'fixer-upper' in real-estate terminology. The younger generations are looking at their own bodies as a potential to be changed as the fashion or current trend dictates.

5. The human body as a medium of expression

A look around the globe will reveal how body parts are being used for expressions of religious and superstitious needs. The human body has always been used to express tribal and religious needs as well as fashion trends. Actually, I wrote an entire chapter on this fascinating topic in my recent book mentioned below.

6. Anatomy of obsession: what does it feel like?

Following the fashion trends and dressing for success is one thing. But being obsessed with appearance is quite another. What is it like to be obsessed? Well, it is like a non-voluntary pre-occupation. Once the thought enters one's mind it may persist for hours. In many cases some behaviors follow the thoughts: body surveillance, dissatisfaction, extreme dieting and/or addiction to cosmetic procedures.

7. The burden of beauty

It is unexpected by many to find out how the people who were born beautiful/thin/ sexy feel about those attributes. Research performed on the level of satisfaction among the ones who are gifted with natural beauty reveals surprising results of body-dissatisfaction, envy, competition and other attributes that lower one's self esteem and well being. As one beautiful woman told me, during our relationship coaching session: "I am consumed by keeping up my good looks and scared daily from the process of aging. I have everything to lose..."

A great part of the solution to this problem is the courage to take back our bodies from a culture gone mad.

There are more solutions and observations for body-image and appearance-obsessions issues. These ideas are presented in the program: The Body Trap. This educational/entertaining program may be delivered as a keynote speech or a seminar.

Are you Bobby-Trapped?