Many of us grapple with our weight, and let’s be honest—those of us who lack a bit of self-discipline often search for that magical spark to ignite our motivation and help us achieve a healthier weight and a happier life. But let’s face it, it’s usually tougher than it seems, no matter how much we desire it.
If you’ve been browsing the internet for motivation, tips, and tricks, you might have come across the trendy hashtag “fitspiration” on platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. Typically, it’s paired with images of incredibly fit individuals mid-workout, intended to inspire you to dig deep and realize what’s possible—because hey, if they can do it, so can you! And wow, they look amazing!
However, the truth is, this approach may not be as effective as it seems. Fitness expert and author David Carson argues that fitspiration can often cause more harm than good, as it relies on the wrong kind of motivation for lasting fitness and weight loss. He breaks it down into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is about genuinely wanting to improve your health or enhance a skill you already enjoy, like swimming or playing soccer. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation focuses on achieving a specific appearance, often inspired by others.
Extrinsic motivation leads to feeling dissatisfied with yourself, viewing exercise as a mandatory chore to achieve a certain look. Carson notes that fitspiration, which thrives on this extrinsic motivation, paints exercise as a punishment to endure, often fueled by guilt.
Think about those old-school fad diets, extreme carb cutbacks, and the pressure to shed a few pounds before a big event—these all stem from extrinsic motivation. While they may offer quick results, those results are rarely sustainable, and sometimes they can backfire spectacularly.
I’ve found myself in this very cycle. I often wish I were slimmer and turn to late-night snacks as a way to cope after a long day. I know I shouldn’t reach for that jar of peanut butter at 11 PM, but who am I kidding? I need a little pick-me-up, right? I’ve gone through cycles of being determined to work out every day for weeks, only to hit a wall because I simply don’t enjoy it.
But it wasn’t always this way. Years ago, my perspective shifted from focusing on aesthetics to prioritizing my health. As an older mom with young kids, I started thinking about the long-term impacts of my lifestyle. Growing up with young parents and grandparents made me realize I wanted to give my children the best possible future. That realization sparked my intrinsic motivation.
Even though I dread exercise, I found enjoyment in yoga and playful workouts with the Wii Fit Plus, which turned exercise into a fun game. I also joined Weight Watchers, as it allowed me to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing all my favorite foods. My love for baking drove me to create healthier recipes, and I even started a blog to document my culinary experiments.
I lost 40 pounds and felt fantastic! However, life threw some challenges my way, causing my motivation to wane as I sought comfort. Now, I’m slowly rediscovering that joy in exercise—not just for appearances but because it feels good.
So, let’s aim for health and fitness without the self-criticism. Don’t let fitspiration morph you into a version of yourself that you despise. Embrace the journey toward looking and feeling healthy, but remember that being obsessed with achieving a sculpted body isn’t the ultimate goal.
As David Carson puts it: “Don’t let yourself get dragged down into a pit of self-doubt, body-shaming, and food anxieties that the fitness industry can often promote—fitspiration, I’m side-eyeing you. Instead, see fitness for what it truly is: a tool to enrich your life rather than something that controls it.”
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To summarize, the focus should be on finding joy in fitness rather than succumbing to the pressures of societal expectations. It’s about embracing a healthy lifestyle that makes you feel good inside and out without the added stress of perfection.