A. M.omentous C.reation : Fitness Protection Program

Thank you, kind Sirs!!

So I ran across these two articles and I just wanted to re-post and say THANK YOU!!

6-most-shockingly irresponsible fitspiration photos

I have great friends who are really "into" fitness. They are all responsible with their workout routines and have a great relationship with their workout pals and themselves. I can genuinely say that I have NEVER seen any of these friends post fitness propaganda (such as the photos in the first article) to "encourage" others to get fit. I have also seen, first hand, the damage low self-esteem can have on a person. Take, for example, this quote below from the first link I posted:

"... hypergymnasia, was born. It works just like anorexia and is caused by the same factors, only instead of restricting calories going in, hypergymnasiacs dramatically increase the calories going out. The benefit—if you can look at it from the self-abusive perspective of the afflicted—is that, instead of frequent, attention-grabbing trips to the bathroom, all they have to do is go exercise a lot! Oh man, easy! People LOVE exercise! Friends and family will just think they’re getting in shape, taking care of themselves, self-improving. The culturally accepted language associated with working out is moderately self-abusive anyway, so all the self-deprecation won’t raise any red flags and obsessing over exercise will blend right in to the normal cultural fabric of fitness..."

This is very real and very scary. Don't let pop-culture and other outside pressures (this includes close friends and family) make you think you need to go to the brink just to "fit in." If you were told by a doctor to lose some weight because of health related problems, etc - please follow their professional plan for you. Always find a professional that is certified (and can prove it) to help you in your weight-loss planning. If you are like me, someone who needs to exercise 30-45 minutes a day, 6 days a week (as recommended by my physician) then find activities that work best for you. Stick to a healthy eating plan (that includes FOOD and not starvation) and spend your free time with positive and encouraging people in your life.

After you read the first article - make sure you take the time to read the second. It is well-written and to the point. Everyone is BEAUTIFUL because no one is "perfect." Pretty simple!!

We are all berated with images of assumed reality - models who are made-up, airbrushed, and put in the most expensive clothing money can buy. This is a tactic to get you to buy and do things that you don't need or want. I will put the usual disclaimer here: if you do all of these things for the right reasons - buy expensive clothes, work out, become skinnier/stronger... then RIGHT ON!! I'm simply saying that there are lot of these pics out there basically calling people lazy and fat when in fact most people are trying the hardest they can with what they have. (Also, what I mean by 'for the right reasons' = losing excess weight to cure health problems, staying in shape to prevent health related problems, building muscle after injury, building muscle to prevent injury, buying nice things for a happy event in your life. NOT because someone else is telling you that you aren't good enough just the way you are - in an attempt to make themselves feel better. OR to make others feel like they are less than you because you have a "better body" or nicer things.)

I've heard this actual advice from my doctor (and a few times around the internet): If you eat a healthy, well-rounded diet, you will have proper energy and nutrition to keep your body fueled for the events of the day. One of those events being a 30-45 minute trip to the gym. The old "you can't out exercise a bad diet" quote comes to mind here. There is a lot of truth to it, just make sure that you keep a well-balanced variety of food in your daily meals. DO NOT put any dietary restrictions on yourself unless otherwise instructed by a certified professional. (i.e. never eating carbs, or dairy just because some actor/actress does it). You're only human. All things in moderation!! Simple and true.

Let's try and uplift each other in positive and healthy ways. Stick to what the professionals say - and most of all - be happy with who you are on the inside!!