“You’re going to have bad experience after bad experience, and you’ll be so nervous about it,” she said of trying to enter the race. I need to prove my finish time.) What started as a fun run turned into a battle to prove to everyone that I deserved Boston. “
Clor decided to work with a sports psychologist to help make discoveries that would change her relationship with running. “That’s what a lot of my self-esteem was based on, and I got very depressed and frustrated when I didn’t succeed.”
Under the guidance of a psychologist, Clor began to think of himself as not human. runner,But running personThis shift in mindset “changed everything,” Kroll said, making running more fun, less stressful, and ultimately qualifying for Boston. boston bound.
Clor’s experience is not uncommon. Often unlike other hobbies, fitness has taken over our identity. we are runners We don’t just do Crossfit. We are Crossfitters. We don’t just hike. we are hikers Our favorite workouts can overtake our lifestyles, social media feeds, daily style choices, and perhaps too much conversation.
Indulging yourself in your fitness hobby of choice isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it motivates us to spend more time actively and helps us build meaningful communities and relationships with others who are similarly into us. Overestimating fitness at the expense of role can put both our mental and physical health at risk.
Why Fitness Enthusiasts Are Too Specific
Considering most of our fitness routines are multi-purpose, it makes sense for many of us to invest. that too invested in them. Not only is fitness a source of fun and joy (endorphins too!), it can improve your health, boost your confidence, and reduce anxiety. Dr. Patricia Larry Sports psychologist and professor at Lockhaven University.
Embracing this kind of hobby allows you to feel good about yourself by making healthy choices, especially in a culture that celebrates physical fitness.
Our workout routines can also become an integral part of our social lives. It’s notoriously difficult for adults to make new friends Outside of work, running groups, exercise classes, and gym memberships can fill the gap and be the answer to the question, “What do you enjoy doing?”
The fitness industry is designed to build this sense of social cohesion. Because the more we resonate with our fitness routines, the more likely we are to spend more time and money on them. Dr. Brian Cook Researcher who studied Exercising Identity and Dependence(Think of how many fitness studios and brands use terms like “fit fam” and “tribe” in their marketing.) As in the case of Clor, this social aspect of fitness , can create pressure to improve performance. Spend less time exercising and developing other interests and identities.
The dangers of making fitness an identity
Our identities are thought to be multidimensional, made up of many roles that surface at the right time, says Dr. Larry. When you look at it, you see all other roles through the lens of your primary role. can not.”
When our obsession with fitness begins to take over us, we risk losing our investment in the many other roles that close our lives, which can lead to weakened relationships, delays at work or school, and lost opportunities. There is a nature. Other activities we enjoyed, says Dr. Larry. And largely by identifying as “runners,” “cyclists,” or “hikers,” we implicitly ask fitness to meet all our needs, which it can never do, he said. Dr Cook says.
Kroll says he felt like he had a “personality transplant” after he distanced himself from his “runner” identity. others.
Too much identification with fitness compulsive exercisesays Dr. Larry. This comes with many risks, including overtraining and injury, and withdrawal symptoms such as frustration, anxiety, and restlessness when you can’t exercise.
And while we hate to imagine not being able to participate in the activities we love, unfortunately, injury, illness, or other circumstances can prevent us from exercising either short or long term at any time. Our pride for it is a dangerous game. Say, “What we’re really talking about is our values.” Dr. Trent Petrie Sports psychologist and professor at the University of North Texas. “Is my worth as an individual defined only by my ability to engage in this identity?”
How to make sure your fitness obsession is a healthy one
For clarity, Clor still calls himself “Runner”. In addition, she reminded her thousands of Instagram followers that impostor syndrome shouldn’t shy away from calling themselves a “runner” if they actually run, regardless of distance or speed. I think it’s important to show
But even though she’s built her life around running, she says she basically feels okay if she has to stop. It’s a question I like to ask myself.”
Dr. Cook also agrees that the question of whether you can quit your fitness plan, or at least take a break, can help determine if you’re overinvesting. , feel like you have to find the gym or play jumping jacks in your hotel room? If you do, ask yourself why you feel the need to do so, suggests Dr. Cook.
For Kroll, developing a healthier relationship with running meant acknowledging that the sport wasn’t her personality and taking the time to understand what defines her core. “I started thinking about all the good qualities I bring to my running,” she says, as well as her work ethic and intelligence. “Once you start evaluating yourself in these things, the time on the clock doesn’t matter.”
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