Physical Fitness and Perception of Exercise
What does a healthy body look like to you? It’s pretty subjective, so most people are going to have a different answer. Someone’s perception of fitness comes from a variety of factors, such as psychological factors, physical health, social media, television, upbringing, cultural influence, and societal standards. Perception is just a thought, an idea of what is healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that it actually is. Take thin influencers or models for example. Most of them promote an unhealthy lifestyle, in favor of having a desirable body. Despite their unhealthy habits, they are still uplifted as the standard for a “healthy” body.
Physical fitness is generally considered to be good for you. It’s often praised as a miracle, people say that it can cure depression, make you happier, make you lose weight, improve coordination, improve sleep habits, improve self-esteem, etcetera. Physical activity and exercise are seen as the baseline indicator for a healthy person, especially adults. If you don’t go to the gym every day, you must be lazy and unhealthy. It’s typically seen as a black-or-white issue. Either you are extremely fit or you’re lazy, there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground.
Most people misperceive their own physical fitness. I know that after a night out or after eating greasy food, I feel like the most unhealthy version of myself. When I eat a salad for lunch or head to the gym, I feel like my body is shining. What I perceive as accomplishments or losses affects my perception of my own health, which means that my perception is probably not entirely accurate. One meal or day doesn’t completely shift my overall physical wellness, and yet I feel like it does. For most people, factors like body image, social desire, self-worth, and even emotional states dictate their perception of their own health.
Despite the strong correlation between someone’s mental state and their perception of health, some studies have shown that physical activity can shift one’s perspective. It’s a tough thing to analyze because there are so many other factors like lifestyle choices, outside mental illness, and environmental stressors, but minor exercise has been shown to change the level of satisfaction that people feel about their physical fitness. This can be tied back to that common experience of feeling good in the short term because you completed a physical activity that day. Studies show that when people increase physical activity, they view themselves as more fit.
Even though physical activity and exercise are highly recommended and often seen as a perfect cure, it doesn’t always change the way that our bodies look. Eating well and exercising regularly doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be thin and “look fit”, it just means that your body is healthy. Most people who exercise and eat the right amount for their bodies don’t have six-pack abs or wear an extra small, which doesn’t fit our idea of physical fitness. Normal people are typically going to rest at the upper end of the weight which is considered healthy for their height. Weight and Body Mass Index are the two most common ways of accessing physical fitness, and they are even considered accurate markers in the current medical world.
Physical fitness is a multifaceted issue to discuss. Everyone’s perception of what is fit is going to differ, sometimes greatly. It’s important to take some of the stress off of personal looks and think more about what is healthy for your body. Most places recommend around 150 minutes of physical activity a week or about 20 minutes a day. This could be as simple as an evening walk or going swimming, and it means that you’re meeting the benchmark of what’s actually healthy for you. Over-exercising can be just as bad as not exercising at all, and can actually lead to more stress on your body. Just try to focus on the small things you can do to help yourself feel and realize that you are fit.