Gym selfies, run-tracking apps, and Fitbits, oh my! Look, I’m all for self-improvement, and exercise, and being the best you can be, and all of that good stuff. But does everyone and their mother really need to know how many reps you did at Workout World or see the map of your marathon training session every single day? I think not. Okay, I’m partially saying this because it makes all of us lazier folk who are sitting on the couch eating our fifth Oreo feel super inadequate about our less active lifestyles. So quit it, will ya? Or at at the very least, send some of your motivation and willpower over to me!
Let’s face it. Social media can be wonderful — keeping you connected with friends and family, and introducing you to like-minded individuals you might not otherwise encounter in your day-to-day life. It’s fantastic to be able to congratulate those close to you on their milestones and progress towards goals. However, as we’ve become all too aware, it can also be a breeding ground for jealousy, comparison, and resentment. Hey, that 5K looked like a ton of fun and I’m totally giving you a virtual high-five! But there is a fine line between good-natured sharing and humblebragging, and it’s a line which is crossed on a daily basis. It certainly doesn’t help that on top of it all, shows like The Biggest Loser and workout crazes like Insanity and P90x can drive otherwise normal people to go a little cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs in pursuit of staying in shape.
Just like you don’t need to hear about the club sandwich that I had for lunch or what’s on my grocery list, I don’t need a mile-by-mile update on your Sunday run, and I can definitely live without knowing how many calories you burned on the elliptical. I honestly don’t mean to sound rude, but you can reach your goals and be satisfied with your progress without broadcasting it to the world at every turn.
You can absolutely find strength in numbers outside of the internet, and everyone deserves to take advantage of the encouragement that can be found when you join up with peers at the park, gym, or pool to go after your fitness goals with a vengeance. A lot of the time, the joy and fun of the whole process can be found in the relative privacy of that experience. A jog along the river on a gorgeous day, or a refreshing early morning swim that only you and your companions can truly appreciate — a Facebook “like” can’t do that justice.
written by: Kim Windyka
