Why is there such a black and white view on the concept of being “healthy”. Often when you think of this, ideas of a ridiculous gym routine and calorie deficit/diet start to pop up in your head. Now this entire idea can be manageable, even good in some cases – but in the high common majority, its toxic. Being healthy depends on the personal circumstances of someones body and mind, so then why are we so brainwashed into the black and white image that almost never ends well for anyone.
Was the calorie deficit at 15 really needed? What about the after school gym sessions with over excessive cardio? Maybe you really did just want to get more active, but for many its a toxic escape from the insecure void in their heads. We are told that exercise and healthy eating is good for us (Which i want to make clear i am not denying that) but too much of it or too much of anything really will be bad for you in the long run. Its mental toll can be exhausting but addictive, so understandably its weird to have to think that something that’s supposed to be helping you is destroying you at the same time.
From my own experience, I was somehow brainwashed into a routine of body checks, waist trainers, constant gym trips, guilty whenever i ate anything and worst of all, food noise. A constant echo in the back of your head, the devil on your shoulder. All at the ripe ages of 12-14. So where did me and many other young people get this from? Social media, specifically Toxic social media. Now its a little more complex then you might think, Someone with a negative self image will interact with innocent guides on how to train legs or recipes for calorie deficits (that are supposed to help people reach their physical goals) but end up getting in their heads about it and take it negatively. so what makes it toxic is yourself really not the video by itself. If something is bad for you then do not look for more, simply don’t interact with it.
The Thin line between dieting and eating disorders
Eating disorders are more then just anorexia, they are a huge complex scale (though it doesn’t take away from anorexia) that don’t even need to stem from body dysmorphia but usually from lack of control. When someone wants to start a diet my first thought and comment is “be careful”, why? because of how easily it can turn into an obsession over every little thing you consume in your day to day and how you will “burn it off”. Dieting requires balance and an acceptance of knowing that breaking it wont destroy your progress, sadly many people don’t realise that and end up breaking through the thin wall which resorts in a obsessive toxic behaviour over food.
Overall, the idea of being healthy involves two main factors: Mental health and physical health. Being healthy is individual to their own person and it does not require constant gym or high protein intake (but if these things work for you, then that’s just whats able to work for you) being healthy is about being able to be active safely and have a nutritious daily dose of food and water without it taking a toll on your mental health. So be careful when going to the gym, if your on the verge of passing out eat some sugar it won’t kill you. be careful when dieting, if you ate full whole meals the entire day then some chocolate won’t kill you.
If your someone who doesn’t feel comfortable within yourself, seek help when ready there is always someone who will be there for you because you are not alone
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