I read an annoying article today and just couldn’t get it out of my head, and the more I thought about it, the more distraught I became.
This article,”#fitfam: 11 Reasons Why The Fitness Culture On Social Media Needs To Be Stopped,” explains why the author thinks publicizing your fitness accomplishments, uplifting quotes and healthy recipes is the root of all evil, and ‘the next pitfall of civilization.’ She claims this ‘health crazed cult’ is making the ‘normal’ people feel bad about themselves, sharing the ways they take care of their bodies and well- being on social media platforms. She would rather see pictures on her Instagram feed of drunken escapades, seemingly grossed out by anything that has to do with a healthy lifestyle.
She posted a picture of a muscular women flexing, and underneath is written ‘gross.’
She claims that the ‘cult’ has allowed average people gain celebrity status on Instagram and Twitter. Apparently these people are just naturally fit, but exercise compulsively and obsess about their diets so we think that makes them gurus.
I could go on, but I’m not.
At the bottom of the article (which I am pretty sure was not there earlier today) it says that it was meant to be a satirical piece. Either way, it wasn’t intelligently written or done in good taste whatsoever.
I can’t speak for the other fitness crazies, but I know I share my healthy living journey on social media because I truly want to help people. Having struggled with my fair share of food issues and depression in the past, I know first hand how exercise and a proper diet can change your life for the best.
I post pictures of workouts because I want others to feel motivated and empowered, not ashamed or regretful about unhealthy decisions. We all make them. When I post a picture of me in a yoga pose I am hoping someone who is in a bad place will see it and feel motivated and determined, and maybe the next decision they make will be a positive one, not a destructive one.
So maybe ‘normal’ people enjoy waking up at noon, eating a gut bomb and popping an anti- depressant, but I prefer to watch the sunrise, green smoothie in hand and an intense workout on the agenda. Crazy, right?
Do you think the fitness craze has gone too far?
Why do you post pictures of your healthy living lifestyle on social media?
