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.
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.
Another great article! I have so much mental entanglement with the gym, exercise and weight loss! This has really helped, thank you!