Exercise is something that many find to be a healthy activity to participate in, as it may help the mind relax and maintain physical wellness. According to the Mayo Clinic, consistent exercise can improve mental health by releasing endorphins, a chemical in the brain that blocks the feeling of pain and increases overall wellbeing.
Many people begin exercising early in life.
“I was pretty active my whole life, mostly from sports,” said senior Matthew Gonzalez. “I did sports like basketball [and] taekwondo, and I just loved going out and playing.”
Sometimes, physical appearance encourages people to begin exercising.
“[I] wanted to have a six-pack as a sixth grader”
“In adolescent years, you start caring about how you look,” Gonzalez said. “[I] wanted to have a six-pack as a sixth grader, so that motivated me to work out.”
Others use exercise as a way to regain motivation and security.
“I had a concussion because of soccer, and I gained weight,” said sophomore Zachariah Rahman. “Exercise helped me lose weight and made me feel better about myself.”
Although exercise has its benefits, comparing oneself to others when exercising may lead to a toxic perspective.
The trend of social media posts about exercise has been apparent for years and many are affected seeing these posts. A study posted in the Journal of Health Communication stated that people who have a surplus of posts about exercising were more likely to be insecure about their weight and appearance compared to people who do not get regular exercise posts.
“On the Internet, you see people, the way they look and how strong they are,” Rahman said. “Some get pressured by it and end up feeling bad about themselves.”
Some may push themselves too far as they try to keep up with societal expectations. An article published by The Ohio State University states that overexertion has the potential to cause musculoskeletal disorders, which are injuries of muscles, nerves, tendons and joints. These disorders can lead to chronic pain or even complete loss of muscle mobility.
“I would push myself to play basketball every day, and it was toxic”
“I would push myself to play basketball every day, and it was toxic,” said sophomore Andy Le. “I didn’t want to play anymore but I wanted to be better than everyone else. That led to me getting injured and I couldn’t play the [basketball] season.”
Some are able to maintain a positive outlook on exercising despite these expectations.
“I look at people and see that they have more muscle than me or another person has bigger arms than me,” said sophomore Alexander McGuigan. “But it’s normal [because of] body genetics, and I’ve come to terms with that.”
The fitness culture allows people to consider the question of ‘how much is too much?’ In the end, a newfound mindset may boost well-being.
Gonzalez gives advice on how to avoid developing a harmful mindset regarding exercise.
“There is a certain point where you should prioritize being healthy, but loving yourself is a step forward to overcoming a bad mindset,” Gonzalez said.
