Let’s talk (mental) fitness. A sensitive topic nowadays. What does it mean to be fit in today’s modern society? Does being skinny, hot or muscular equal being fit? Well, at the end of the day, it’s more than one’s appearance. Personally, I think that the idealization of beauty standards and the expectations of how one should look are significant issues in today’s society, particularly for adolescents and young adults.
I, myself, am a victim of falling for the propaganda that fitness social media pushes. It shouldn’t really matter how other people look, but rather how confident and healthy you are in your own body. However, with various platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Strava, MyFitnessPal, Nike Run Club and Peloton, it almost seems impossible not to compare yourself to popular models or influencers constantly.
As humans, we are all bound to strive for our highest potential. Now, with fitness apps including social features that provide a sense of community, people are drawn to fitness as a social space. In a way, this is highly beneficial as it motivates more individuals to stay healthy and in shape, while also fostering creativity and self-expression among them. However, I think that we should be careful about how we interact with this social world of fitness, before individuals start feeling “unfit” in this society. Is posting about fitness going too far? Many people engage with these spaces; 345 million people used fitness apps in 2024, with approximately 55.3% of people aged 16 to 24 utilizing fitness apps.
As a young adult growing up with social media, I am guilty of downloading my first fitness app around the age of 16, in high school. I can only remember the tears and constant headaches that roamed inside my adolescent mind. That constant monologue, “I’m not thin enough, I’m not pretty enough, I’m not good enough,” after constantly scrolling through beautiful, slender Instagram models. Roughly 76% of young people use Instagram today. During this time, I started to become significantly invested in and yet insecure about my body after seeing so many individuals posting on social media receiving so many likes and comments.
We are deceived by the dopamine we receive from social media. Dopamine is a feel-good chemical, linked to memory, motivation, mood and attention. When we post something that our family and friends like, it gives us a boost of dopamine; however, when we don’t receive that boost or approval, it can impact our sense of self and adequacy. Social media, in other words, is a “highlight reel,” which only displays the user’s best life and neglects the truth and negative aspects. As a result, this leads to issues with self-esteem, anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO).
At the end of the day, I was ultimately doing this to feel accepted and like I belonged. I tracked every single food and calculated the net calories I burned and ate each day. Sounds exhausting, right?
That search for your identity and wanting to feel noticed and well-liked is everything as a vulnerable teen or young adult. It was my first time having a boyfriend in high school, so naturally, I wanted him to stay in love with me and admire my looks. It seems silly now, looking back at it, but it is only due to the helpless, young insecure mind. With men, I’ve noticed an increase in influencers abusing steroids to achieve a particular muscular physique. According to PubMed, 54% of all male bodybuilders use anabolic steroids regularly, compared to 10% of female competitors. Studies have examined the various life defects associated with steroids. This remains a vast issue because we are idolizing unrealistic and unhealthy body types in today’s fitness world.
Through my journey, I’ve come to understand the distinction between being healthy and happy versus merely appearing “healthy” while feeling unhappy. Being healthy and happy isn’t defined by meeting a specific aesthetic, such as a certain weight or clothing size. Instead, it’s about appreciating the body’s ability to move and provide for its own nourishment. It’s about finding enjoyment in food rather than starving yourself and restricting your diet, and exercising in a way helps you feel good.
When you try to fit into a specific image of “healthiness,” you can easily find yourself lost and much more depressed, no matter how much you fight it. My best advice is to ensure your body and mind are in sync. Constantly being in a state of fight or flight mode, pushing away the joys in life, will eventually lead you to fighting for your life or your happiness.
On the bright side, everyone is getting in shape. It’s evident in how we are overcoming unhealthy habits and saving money by creating community through these fitness apps. With the right mindset, fitness apps do lead to positive results, boosts in confidence, flexibility, motivation, guidance and a sense of support.
In conclusion, it’s essential to redefine what fitness and health mean to you, focusing on personal happiness and well-being rather than social expectations. Learn how to love your body, and stop this constant self-hatred. If I did it, then I’m 100% certain you can. It’s never too late to break a bad habit.
Bridgette Leahy, FCRH ’27, is a journalism major from Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
