I think that Fitness should be straightforward again

“One day or day one, you decide!” You've probably heard this or a similar saying somewhere, likely on social media. It's supposed to motivate you to finally tackle things you've been putting off, advancing in small steps without demanding perfection. However, personally, I've been struggling since I first saw videos with this slogan a few months ago, which often feature some extremely fit people.

Now in my mid-thirties and working from home, I'm increasingly feeling the pressure to change my lifestyle. I need to eat healthier and exercise more. So far, my body has tolerated my bad habits, but you can't ignore impending problems such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or heart disease.

So, it's high time to do something for my health and fitness and put an end to procrastination: “Day One” instead of “One Day”. But that's where the problems begin. Anyone like you and me who wants to get started is confronted with an overload of training plans, diets, and ideas about what a fit, beautiful body should look like. For me, it's important to strike the balance between physical fitness and aesthetic improvement. But it's not that easy. My inhibition grows when I am constantly shown on social media how easily others seem to master huge challenges, such as ice swimming or cycling.

„Only influencers have time to hang out in a gym for hours“

We all know that social media is not real, but it has become so ubiquitous that we forget everything online is a commodity. Everything? Yes, everything that isn't snippets of your friends' and family's daily lives is marketing. And that's expensive. A gym membership costs money, not to mention a personal trainer, fitness apps, diet plans (keto, paleo, etc.), supplements, and high-tech exercise bikes.

This list gets longer every day. Realistically, only influencers have time to hang out in a gym for hours, shoot content, and constantly show off new outfits. This all begs the question: how accessible are fitness programmes, especially for people who are not already in good shape, highly motivated, and have a decent income? Due to the oversupply in the constantly growing fitness market, it is now harder than ever to find a simple exercise routine that suits your needs.

It may help to look back to other times when things were simpler in some respects. Consider what the older generations did for their fitness when they were about my age: going for walks with family and friends, taking the stairs instead of the lift or escalator, shopping instead of hiring delivery services, and taking the time to cook for themselves.

„Fitness doesn't have to be complicated, and all you need is a positive attitude“

These people are real-life role models who can provide the counterbalance to the fitness influencers we all crave. We want people who will explain how not to get skin grazes between our thighs when doing cardio because, let’s be realistic, a significant number of us will. We want people to show us what incentives they use to get through a tough workout (running to a cake shop, for example; not ideal, but very understandable), and how you can realistically improve your diet. The last point was a real game-changer for me! When I became a vegetarian, I didn't realise that I had to eat a lot more starch and carbohydrates to feel full.

Of course, you don't want to go back to the old days for many reasons, but it may be helpful to remind yourself of the simplicity of previous fitness programmes. The threshold you had to cross to get started was lower, the whole process involved less organisation and less agony of choice. It was altogether more fun and more directly linked to having fun.

So, the next time you feel left behind, overwhelmed, or pressured, remember that social media is lying to you. Fitness doesn't have to be complicated, and all you need is a positive attitude. For me, this means that I won't be embarking on any of the paid fitness programmes for the time being. Instead, I'll take the time to walk more and go dancing more often. And then, one day, I might even go for a leisurely jog.