A large portion of today’s society aims towards a healthier lifestyle and nutrition by implementing balanced meals and various forms of exercise in their routine. However, there are many who would rather prioritize spreading information about daily habits and meal choices that are harmful to society in the long run. In my view, it seems plausible to acknowledge current issues such as eating habits instead of ultimately aiming towards having a different body.
Improving one’s health has started to become of utter importance nowadays, and therefore many social media influencers have taken this chance and used it in their favour by devising and later marketing various coaching programs and diets whose ultimate goal is “getting people fit”. For instance, when scrolling through social media, most advertisements are strongly connected to losing weight or building muscle. Moreover, this has become quite commonplace, and many have been manipulated into changing their values for the wrong reasons. By promoting the new techniques and methods to lose weight, we are switching people’s focus from what is truly important and essential, our welfare. This can be seen among family or friend gathering. Most part of the conversation revolves around the habits and activities each one has recently been doing, which to some extent is not toxic. However, as the discussion develops, jealousy seems to mingle in the atmosphere, therefore causing uncomfort among members.
The way to approach a healthier lifestyle is quite the opposite. People should fix their attention on their current routines and deciding whether these habits and beneficial for them and those around them. By addressing these issues first and reflecting on their values, many would be more likely to understand what balance and health means in reality and consequently build a lifestyle according to their definition of health, and not according to what society has instilled. For example, one of my relatives recently decided to change her lifestyle in order to stay healthy as long as possible, and instead of recalling to the internet for help, she examined her habits and spotted what was deteriorating her way of living.
In conclusion, the definition of health is ambiguous and varies from one person to another. However, aiming to be healthy for the wrong reasons, such as losing weight, is not the way to approach this matter. And in my opinion, it should be done at an individual level and through self-reflection.