I saw a post on Instagram discussing privilege and fitness. It was in reference to the YouTube video featuring interviews with people who are fat versus those who are fit. It was Is Being Fat A Choice? Fit Women vs Fat Women | Middle Ground.
It was kind of interesting to me, because in the creator’s reel (@koachkrish) her caption seemed very understanding of individuals’ situations and how those situations shape and determine how easy it is for you to get your workout in, but she wasn’t coddling those individuals either. Yet her comment section had a very different vibe.
Her comments – top comments – were filled with victimizing mentalities and “you don’t know everyone’s situations….” etc etc. While her caption was very “You can have all these obstacles and STILL prioritize yourself and your health.”
“Yes, systemic barriers are real. Time, money, childcare, work schedules aren’t always excuses. They kan be legit obstacles that make fitness harder for some people
BUT
I believe there’s power in refusing to accept limitations as permanent
Sometimes we have to get kreative, wake up earlier or make sacrifices others don’t have to make
Bc some people 100% have more privilege and access
BUT
within whatever circumstances you’re in, there’s usually something you are able to kontrol
It’s not about dismissing real struggles or pretending everyone starts from the same place. It’s about finding YOUR version of possible within YOUR reality
Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid okkkaayy???!!!”
These were some of the top comments, and I wanted to touch on them. For empathy, for transparency, for REALNESS, for accountability. Cause we keep it real here, and we’re empathic and loving towards one another. Part of being loving is holding people accountable and not allowing each other to be enabled.
This one was ironic to me, because you have two very opposites right next to each other. One saying “I don’t have the time or energy” and the other saying “You make the time and energy”. Which is very real.
And here is EXACTLY what I’m saying – you MAKE the time for it. I FULLY understand how hard it is – going through mental health problems, the struggles of motherhood – all the laundry, dishes, keeping the house cleaned, keeping the kids content, etc, doing it all and trying to find time for yourself. It’s so hard, yet so doable.
This Mama, who works 40-48 hours a week, STILL finds time for herself and her fitness. Whether it’s taking the kids to the gym with her, working out at home with them – it’s absolutely doable.
Sometimes it means choosing yourself over a clean house. Sometimes it means getting your kids involved in it with you. Sometimes it means they cry for a tiny bit while you try your best to choose you for 30 minutes out of the day. It looks different for everyone.
These two, I think, kind of go together. Everyone DOES have the ability to do SOMETHING. But it’s gonna look different for EVERYONE. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be progress.
If you are someone with a chronic illness or disabilities, it’s going to look very different for you from the average person. This could look like more unconventional work, like chair exercises, physical therapy, etc. Movement is movement, and we ALL need more movement in our lives. We’re SO sedentary it’s killing us.
As you get stronger in those unconventional movements, you can progress into more conventional movements. It’s tailored and specific to YOU. Don’t let your chronic illness or disabilities hold you back from being your ABSOLUTE best and strongest version of you.
I feel like this individual is just trying to advocate for others when she just has no idea. But then again, this comment got over 16k likes. Go figure. lol.
Kids don’t have to be an excuse. Long work hours don’t have to be an excuse. Mental Health doesn’t have to be an excuse. We allow them to be excuses for us to keep ourselves in comfort. Because let’s be real – change and growth are uncomfortable.
This past year, I’ve been struggling with heavy postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage – and yes, it was VERY hard to get out or get up and work out. Did I work out 2-3 times a week like I hoped I would and said I would? No. Most of the time, it was once a week or zero. I think I went a solid two months (maybe a couple of times) with only working out 1-2 times in that whole period. But that’s better than NOTHING AT ALL.
It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be progress. I FULLY understand how hard it is, with feeling like you have no time, feeling like you have no energy, feeling like you just flat out don’t want to. And here’s the thing – YOU JUST DO IT. You literally just do it. You don’t think, you just do it.
There were multiple times I was trying to convince myself out of working out, and I told myself, “Just do it. Just start. Because then you can’t stop.” And I was so, so glad I did. After you finish working out, you feel SO much better. You persevered. You chose discipline. You chose something HARD and overcame it! The mental reward from that is indescribable and makes you a more resilient person.
My final thoughts
Just as @koachkrish mentioned above, barriers are real and can define how privileged one is, determined by whatever advantages they may have. But that doesn’t have to define or determine how or who you become – it’s what you choose to do with your circumstances that shapes your path forward.
If you need a good workout program to help get you started on your new health journey, including a community of like-minded Mamas going through the same struggles, I’m here for you. Click here, and we can get you started.
As always – Thank you for reading and ILY <3.