Fiction vs Function: the social media fitness circus

The world of health and wellness has become a multiverse of marketing buzzwords and videos of stunts masquerading as workout routines. As with most other products, the fight for the attention span of your average consumer has made information lose value in favor of entertainment. However, beyond that, there is one more layer to be explored and that is the perception we have of what it takes to actually incorporate proper fitness and nutrition into a lifestyle. 

We are at a crossroads, these days, between information abundance and attention scarcity. Add that to the adverse relationship most people already have with the gym and you’re left with a bit of a conundrum. First, let’s examine the general perception of health and wellness in the first place that many of us carry. Based on the manicured fitness models selling prefabbed basic routines, crazy 8-step exercises, or shirtless stunts in the gym, there isn’t much that is clear and relatable in the marketplace. Naturally, people aren’t particularly thrilled by the idea of having to voluntarily cause physical and mental anguish even if they do take that important first step of actually signing up for a class or buying some equipment. 

At the intrinsic level, we have to attach to the idea that our physical well-being requires as much consideration and attention as the jobs that we all spend egregious amounts of time obsessing over. Unfortunately, American consumerism has made health as much of a product to be sold, as the waist trainers or “special” resistance bands being sold by every fitness influencer.

The reality is that being healthier is based on daily habits that are deliberately geared towards doing so. But to do that we have to invest in ourselves appropriately. That means seeking professional council like we would for any other necessity like a therapist or barber. Physical and mental health is just that, a need, not something we can get around to when it’s convenient. 

We should take our wellness seriously enough to believe it’s worth carving time out for. Consider how much time and resources we spend on things that are actively diminishing our health. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t indulge in occasional pizza or a night out for drinks. Instead, we should be prioritizing ourselves in a way that allows the fun to exist within relative proportion to how much time and money we spend on mindfully eating whole foods or showing up for a training session. 

The second part of the conundrum is the overwhelming amount of information and wellness professionals to choose from. Some of the fault most definitely falls on us, the consumer, and how we have fallen into the cycle of halfway committing to something before we’re on to the next topic. But your brain and body are things that you have to keep every single day. When you consider how much background research and information gathering we do for Airbnb reservations it shouldn’t be that hard to spend time and effort doing the same in regards to who and what we trust to inform us about what exercises or nutrition plans we use. 

Nothing ever fits or works better than the item that was specifically made for your exact measurements and needs. The method of using generally laid plans and guidelines will only yield general results. Considering personal growth and upkeep is an ongoing process. The premade 60-day programs or weekly group fitness classes can only take you so far. Even though you may see the oiled six-pack and perfectly fitting shorts on Instagram you have to remind yourself of the fact that there is universally only one step for everyone to take on a wellness journey and that is the one just beyond wherever we are currently. 

Before you know it, once you put enough individual steps in order you’ll find yourself walking in the direction of your specific goal.