I know the culture that she she writes against, as we all do. I see it in my parents who do “75 hard” challenges in a desire to be thinner and then push themselves in sickness and on hurt body parts when what their body (and doctor!) is asking for us some rest.
But I know that thinness isn’t the only reason they exercise. They both live stressful lives and regular exercise, or “movement” really is a good outlet for them and has helped their mental health.
I appreciate the caution to perpetuate “all or nothingness”. I appreciate that reasonable exercise looks different for everyone. I’m so out of shape and I battle chronic pain - if I were to start weight lifting I’d be in bed for days. Walking is how I get myself to exercise again, not to be or remain thin, but because regular, low-impact exercise is the only known pain reducer for fibromyalgia.
I also struggle with eating enough and my younger sister has anorexia. I wish that my parents, and others, would stop excusing their fatphobia and jokes about starving themselves by pointing out that regular exercise / eating fresh foods is just good body practice (it is!).
Overall, it’s a good distinction you make here not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Just because some people co-opt the practice of regular exercise to cover their unhealthy relationship with their bodies, doesn’t mean that regular exercise as a concept is inherently fat-phobic!
Sorry to go on but I will add that I don’t even think my parents are intentionally co-opting the language of healthy exercise/eating. I think they genuinely know and believe that these things are beneficial for them and then they overdo it at times out of a desire to push themselves to be thin.
Thanks so much for your words. I recognize how hard it can be to disentangle the thinness-striving from the reality that exercise is just good for our bodies. I think you nailed it: reasonable exercise looks different for everyone. I think we all have to find our own "reasonable" while still working it into our lives in a truly habitual way.
I enjoyed the article! I think it is important to respond to vocal claims that diet and exercise are somehow rooted in "isms". Exercise is important and has a variety of benefits including increased endorphins, better health, increased mobility, less stress, and increased social connection.
THANK YOU! I don’t understand how it’s 2025, and so many people still don’t know about the connection between brain health and exercise. The research is incredibly compelling. I get that diet culture has made the conversation around fitness messy. But, for me, exercise isn’t just about weight loss—it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your brain as you age.
When you’ve watched a loved one fade away from Alzheimer’s, your perspective completely changes. It stops being about aesthetics and starts being about doing everything in your power to stay sharp, independent, and here for as long as possible.
I know the culture that she she writes against, as we all do. I see it in my parents who do “75 hard” challenges in a desire to be thinner and then push themselves in sickness and on hurt body parts when what their body (and doctor!) is asking for us some rest.
But I know that thinness isn’t the only reason they exercise. They both live stressful lives and regular exercise, or “movement” really is a good outlet for them and has helped their mental health.
I appreciate the caution to perpetuate “all or nothingness”. I appreciate that reasonable exercise looks different for everyone. I’m so out of shape and I battle chronic pain - if I were to start weight lifting I’d be in bed for days. Walking is how I get myself to exercise again, not to be or remain thin, but because regular, low-impact exercise is the only known pain reducer for fibromyalgia.
I also struggle with eating enough and my younger sister has anorexia. I wish that my parents, and others, would stop excusing their fatphobia and jokes about starving themselves by pointing out that regular exercise / eating fresh foods is just good body practice (it is!).
Overall, it’s a good distinction you make here not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Just because some people co-opt the practice of regular exercise to cover their unhealthy relationship with their bodies, doesn’t mean that regular exercise as a concept is inherently fat-phobic!
Sorry to go on but I will add that I don’t even think my parents are intentionally co-opting the language of healthy exercise/eating. I think they genuinely know and believe that these things are beneficial for them and then they overdo it at times out of a desire to push themselves to be thin.
Thanks so much for your words. I recognize how hard it can be to disentangle the thinness-striving from the reality that exercise is just good for our bodies. I think you nailed it: reasonable exercise looks different for everyone. I think we all have to find our own "reasonable" while still working it into our lives in a truly habitual way.
I find deadlifts to be immensely satisfying.
You and me both
Good counter-points to the Burnt Toast article.
Thanks!
I find it very hard to believe that 23% are doing strength traing 2x/week.
I enjoyed the article! I think it is important to respond to vocal claims that diet and exercise are somehow rooted in "isms". Exercise is important and has a variety of benefits including increased endorphins, better health, increased mobility, less stress, and increased social connection.
THANK YOU! I don’t understand how it’s 2025, and so many people still don’t know about the connection between brain health and exercise. The research is incredibly compelling. I get that diet culture has made the conversation around fitness messy. But, for me, exercise isn’t just about weight loss—it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your brain as you age.
When you’ve watched a loved one fade away from Alzheimer’s, your perspective completely changes. It stops being about aesthetics and starts being about doing everything in your power to stay sharp, independent, and here for as long as possible.
Another great article! I have so much mental entanglement with the gym, exercise and weight loss! This has really helped, thank you!