Fit or Healthy? Unveiling the Realities Behind the Images
I want to look fit with ripped abs and be HEALTHY. Is this you?
Dream on babe. I’m here to tell you from experience, it’s one or the other.
Sounds fucked up right? But according to society - it’s true.
Let’s get REAL about what it means to be FIT in comparison to being HEALTHY.
When we think of being fit we ASSUME that must mean we are healthy. Unfortunately in today's image-driven world, the concepts of "fit" and "healthy" have become intertwined, causing confusion about what these terms truly represent.
Take a walk with me through google images.
Do a quick Google image search for ‘fit women’ and ‘healthy women’. This is where it got fucked up. It reveals a stark contrast in how SOCIETY perceives them, especially when it comes to depicting women.
This discrepancy in imagery highlights a societal tendency to equate physical appearance with fitness - the 6 pack abs and sculpted muscles. Healthy women are showcased as smiling individuals engaging in various wellness activities, enjoying social gatherings and picnics.
FIT tends to emphasize an unrealistic and often unattainable level of physical perfection of toned bodies, while HEALTH is more inclusive and embraces a broader spectrum of body types, activities, and life stages.
It's essential to recognize that a person's appearance doesn't necessarily reflect their overall health. In fact, when I was handed a pro card for being ‘the fittest’ on stage, I can assure you, I was not healthy.
Quest for the Aesthetic Ideal
Unfortunately, with the rise of online fitness programs, trainers and influencers, this aesthetic fit appearance is undoubtedly becoming the beauty standard, a beauty standard that is nearly impossible to sustain without sacrificing health - but we are being fooled to believe it is healthy with images and reels playing uplifting backdrop music as the woman with the 6 pack abs blends her morning smoothie, for ‘optimal health’.
I don’t know how many times I have creeped instagram accounts of these women looking for photos depicting the truth in the quest for that aesthetic ideal. Why? Because I have had the abs and the sculpted muscles. But I still had rolls when I sat down called skin, I had more wrinkles on my face because there was no fat to fill out my cheeks, and my boobs were like pancakes. Did I feel beautiful? Not so much. So what did I do? I did what everyone else does - botox, fillers, a boob job and a filter to smooth my skin.
Images are frequently hyper-edited and curated to showcase fitness in peak physical form. The women in that form with bouncy breasts and full face features has been to the plastic surgeon. The images are often devoid of the realities and challenges of building muscle mass and dropping insane amounts of body fat to showcase the perfectly chiseled body.
The reality is, to be that chiseled, your body fat must be so low that extreme diets and exercise protocols are often followed which will have detrimental effects on both physical and mental well-being. The pressure to attain the perfect body, often leads to depression, body dissatisfaction, comparing, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.
Look again at the images that populated in your “fit women” search. Are any of them smiling, with family, enjoying social gatherings or NOT inside the gym lifting weights?
FUCK NO! Speaking from personal experience, to achieve that level of aesthetic appearance, we call “fit”consumed my life. I was in the gym 3-4 hours a day, counting my steps, meal prepping, weighing my food, sleeping 10 hours, drinking 5 litres, obsessed with the mirror and taking progress pictures. I avoided friends, gatherings with food that could trigger my hunger or cravings, and had no time or energy for anything else.
Remember that new year trend, the recap of events? I only had pictures of my body - nothing worth remembering or sharing. Sure, my niece was here that year - we hit up an NHL playoff game of the flames vs the oilers. It was insane, a true memorable moment for the battle of Alberta. She had beers, nachos and cheered. I drank water, and ate chicken and rice that I snuck in my bag. I didn’t have the energy to even swing my C of Red towel. All for the 6 pack abs.
Since I have vowed to maintain authenticity in my brand I will admit that I didn’t need to be THAT extreme, but I was competing and I had to take my body to an insane level of lean. I have not stepped on the stage again because I have been struggling with gut issues, hormonal imbalances, disordered eating and severe body dysmorphia since I competed.
Working with my new trainer over the past 6 months has resolved much of these issues but it is important for me to be honest. When all my followers were praising me for my achievement on my external appearance, my physical and mental health was shattered.
I was fit, but I was not healthy.
Embracing Holistic Well-being
Today, I am on a journey of embracing holistic health. Sure, I miss that lean, toned, chiseled body but I am much happier living a balanced lifestyle. I do intend to compete again but my approach is completely different. I will work hard, I will eat clean for my prep, but I will not sacrifice my health for it again.
My coach understands the importance of holistic well being.
We work together to balance my fitness aesthetic with my overall health.
Focusing solely on external appearance can overshadow the importance of overall health. It is why I built my program for those embarking on a transformation journey. I want to expose the fitness industry for the misconceptions it has about health and offer a program that delivers both physical and mental well being. Being healthy encompasses not only the physical aspect but also mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Don’t get sucked in, like I did.
While being physically fit is undoubtedly valuable, it's crucial to remember that health is a multifaceted concept. A woman can be healthy without fitting the conventional mold of a "fit" body. Fit is a feeling.
