Body Positivity & Fitness

I've always been a health conscious person, but when did my eating healthy to perform well in a sport or activity turn into eating healthy to look the part? The same goes for exercise. It's easy to look at a toned individual and say that they are healthy simply because they look it. Well I'd like to know... why does it matter so much?

Digging deeper into the topic of #bodypositivity got me to thinking of all the times I was not so positive about my body. For a while I would go to the gym and wonder what people were thinking. Maybe they think I'm there to lose weight, or maybe they think I'm a regular gym goer. Again I ask, why does that matter?

In the body positivity movement, clothing companies and brands have taken a stance by showcasing their clothing on all sizes of models. Fitness companies like Fabletics are at the forefront of this movement. From advertisements to influencers on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube... some things seem to be looking up for body positivity, but boy, do we sure have a long way to go!

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As I graze the surface of my ideas about fitness and influencers, I want to share something I heard from the instructor of my last spin class.

"Do you know why we do this?" She urged as we put on resistance. "Because you know those little dimples that can be seen on your skin when the sun's out? Those are not attractive. We do this to tone those muscles."

This was the first time I took a class from this instructor and needless to say I was not too thrilled with her. Cycling is an activity I like to do to clear my head and to get a fresh and active start to my day. I was not there to be pushed in my exercise to get rid of cellulite. As I usually try to do, I cut this instructor some slack because yes, some people like to be pushed based on "body goals". Here's the thing though, everyone in that room-- or any room-- who is trying to better themselves could take that vote of encouragement differently. This one approach could lead to a person feeling negatively about themselves or the sport forcing them to quit and take unhealthy action.

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I am a strong believer in the body positivity movement for many reasons. One reason being that it is important for oneself to practice because people aren't always going to be the most positive around you. Because of this, body positivity should first and foremost be practiced for the individual.

However, influencers have an enormous impact on the individual and it's integral to understand that health can mean so many things for a person. Health encompasses mental health, physical health, social health, and a variety of different parts of life. When searching “body positivity" one of the main questions asked is "when is plus sized unhealthy?" and it's truly not a clear cut answer.

So, how can one tell when being overweight is unhealthy? Is BMI a proper indicator of a healthy individual? And when is it okay for a doctor to bring up a patient's weight?

I ask these questions because weight does impact health, but is it really the only indicator of proper health. Should one worry about a person's mental health when they begin to label themselves as plus-sized, overweight, or obese and lose their self confidence? Or when a growing pre-teen sees an image of a model wearing a size 6 who is now considered plus-size. People who have a higher muscle mass and are short may be considered "overweight" according to the Body Mass Index scale. And if someone is experiencing fainting spells or asthma and they take a visit to their physician, is it normal or okay for them to leave the doctor's office feeling body shamed for no apparent reason.

Where do we we draw the line? When are people going to step up their game?

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In the realm of fitness and body image, it’s important to understand that the goal is not always to lose 10... 20 lbs. It‘s so much more than that. Exercise is just as much for you’re body as it it for one‘s mental well-being. Being positive about oneself and others is not always the easiest thing in this decade, but I think it’s important to start looking at the goals that really count.

Rather than trying to fit into into a size two, aim to increase your running time by two minutes. Rather than not allowing yourself to be happy and socialuse because of your weight, practice an activity with your true friends that brings you joy. Rather than striving to be something so unattainable, strive to do something seemingly unattainable— like hiking a ten mile trail... or running your first 5k. Rather than focusing on what you look like at the top of the mountain, focus on how beautiful the view it going to be when you get there!

Exercise often is so focused on the end results that the body shows, but there is so much more that transforms when one adopts an activity they enjoy. It’s not about the end product waist size. So many people tend to forget that. Being fit and feeling confident is so much more than that.

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Speaking from experience, my weight has fluctuated since I started college— as many people’s weights tend to do. But the unhappy and depressed individual I was a year ago, at the same weight as me now, could not have done what I did just two months ago. Running my first half marathon was more than a way to lose my weight... I accomplished something that’s been a dream of mine for years. Imagine that— at a time that I was the same weight, I was a completely different person.

I am a huge proponent of the body positivity movement, because not everyone is born with certain genes and athletic physique. But that’s is no reason to exclude or limit the representation of fitness ambassadors and other athletes. One’s body does not determine their fitness abilities.

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To conclude— I think the hardest part of the body positivity movement for most people is finding it in themselves to see that they are strong and capable of great feats even if they don’t always get the most positivity from media or themselves. Everyone is their own worst critic. Spread positivity to those trying to better themselves, I promise you— a little praise can go a long way. It’s not always easy to walk into a room filled with people who “look like they they belong at the gym”. Truth is— everyone deserves a spot at the gym, pool, spa, what have you. Everyone deserves a chance to feel good about themselves in their own skin.