gregwho.

Working out and dieting just aren’t what they used to be anymore.

Now I realize everyone has unique experiences that shape their beliefs of how their bodies should look. For some, it’s past relationships and others, maybe social media or ambitions for better health. However, the key motivators for most people nowadays is their discontent with the person staring back at them in the mirror. This isn’t always a bad thing, but it can potentially turn into one. From what I can tell, dieting and exercise are becoming more and more of an image issue at the expense of health.

When I see friends skipping meals, feeling constantly fatigued as a direct result of their dieting decisions, even coercing themselves to throw up, I can’t help but feel a bit disturbed. Where is the foresight to see the consequences of their health choices? Oh, there it is - clouded by their pursuit to simply look better. And for who? The sad part is when some people truly look within their themselves, the pursuit for a better body is not even for them. At times, it’s for people in their life whose sentiment towards them shouldn’t even matter. Other times, it’s a habit of comparison, only worsened by scrolling through Facebook, Tumblr and the like. After a few model-esque photos of people you will never know or meet, it’s easy to feel wistful and hopefully inadequate in your own skin.

Confidence and self-image are very important things, but they comprise of more than just physical appearance. Most importantly, confidence should never be rooted in the approval of others.