Yes of course. But we have to be very careful how we approach it, especially if we are someone who has struggled with body image, eating, or self-esteem issues in the past.
So that might include everyone in some way.
When I first got into the whole idea of fitness, I was more focused on the positive effects that it gave me, so I didn't have a lot of time to dwell on all the negative things about the industry. I wasn't surfing the web looking at photos of fitness models or contemplating competing in a bikini show or trying to compete with other girl's. This was the only reason why I was able to succeed.
Because I was anorexic, this step was crucial to my success, as well as my overall happiness. There was no way I could have believed that fitness was going to save me if I constantly compared myself to those photo-shopped fitness models or all of the fitspiration images that try to convince us that our own bodies are not fit enough.
Scrolling through instagram, searching for hashtags will be the end-all for your fitness dreams when you first start out (really, you should never do this!) All you're going to find are reminders of why you're not already perfect as yourself. You'll find constant comparison and failure. You'll never believe you are good enough, and you'll question if your fitness program is intense enough.
The fitness industry to just like the fashion industry, where if you don't look a certain way, you won't be pretty enough or cool enough to call yourself a part of it. The fashion and beauty business tells us that if we want to look good, we have to be thin and flawless. The fitness business tells us that if we want to look good we have to be toned, tan, and flawless.
It's just another consumer trap. All they want is our money.
It's not that I don't believe in fitness and all the good things that can come from getting fit, it's just the industry that I have no faith in. We must be very careful when exploring this territory. It can suck you in just like all the other media traps do. It can cause body image distortions, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and lack of confidence just like anything else.
But getting fit and changing your health can also bring about very positive things as well. It can give you a strength you never knew you had, both in body and in mind. It can make you believe in yourself again. It can help you make and reach goals, find a new way of eating, a new way of living. It can make you want to live, even when you have no hope left. It can help you accept your beautiful body and it can allow you to love yourself for everything you are.
At least that is what I have gained from fitness.
Some tips to avoid the fitness trap:
1. Focus on yourself and only yourself. Stop looking at fitness magazine, instagram photos, websites, etc. Just stop buying to the idea that you have to look a certain way in order to be "fit". Just like they always say, "comparison is the thief of joy", stop comparing.
2. Focus on what your body can do and less what it looks like. I've said this in other posts, but it's the one piece of advice that has gotten me through some of my roughest days. Whenever I am feeling bad about my body or am caught up in the comparison track, I remember all of the things I can do now because my body is strong. I can run faster and longer. I can lift heavy weight. I can move my body in the ways I that make me feel good.
3. Remember that fitness modeling is 80% lighting and only 20% results. So many of the photos out there of fitness models are ALL LIGHTING. Yes they worked hard but lighting and photoshop are the number one ways to get people to look good. Plus, right before a photo shoot models starve down to a certain weight in order to look leaner. It is NOT sustainable.
4. Have fun. Fitness should be fun, it shouldn't feel like work, so if it does, switch it up. Do something different to your routine to make your workouts fun and more enjoyable. You might have to make it fun for yourself, make a new goal and get excited about reaching it.
Just remember that no one is perfect and everyone has their secrets, even the best looking people have problems. Fitness can be a great way to improve your life, but only when it is done right and without all of the media bullshit.
xoxo
Tayla