I’m a self-profressed gym rat, but when it comes to being in shape, or at least healthy, it seems to break down mostly into two camps. The first group is people who either are or have been in shape in their life or have being in shape or improving their health as a goal. They look at someone like her, and they think “if she can do it, so can I” and they’re inspired. The second group are people who don’t have that as a goal, and it either seems ridiculous or outright offensive to them.
As such, there’s a few things to keep in mind. First, the fitness industry is largely aimed at the first group. Fitness magazines, supplement retailers, fitness equipment manufacturers, they assume that the people are already interested in fitness. I fully expect that the image in question here was aimed at women, and possibly some men too, who were once in shape but lament that they aren’t in shape anymore now that they’ve had kids. For those people, seeing someone who is in great shape after having three kids recently is inspiring. If you just did general exercising and didn’t follow the industry, or never really cared about fitness at all, well, other than hearing about this controversy, how else might you have even seen the image? Why would you be reading a fitness magazine or visiting the website of someone in the fitness industry unless that was your interest? You’re not the intended audience, and you’re not likely to be interested in whatever they’re selling so, really, why should they care what you think?
Second, in saying all of that, though I do prioritize my own fitness, whatever your priorities are are your choice and it’s not necessarily inherently right or wrong to prioritize your fitness or not. But, again, it’s aimed at people who have prioritized it. I could easily imagine something similar in, say, a computer industry magazine saying the same about not keeping up on the latest languages or technology. If it’s a priority for you to learn the latest technology, then it’d be inspiring to see someone who has hardships able to do it, if not, your response ought to be that you don’t care, perhaps as simply because you’re not in the industry.
So, sure, if you have other obligations, or you prioritize other things in your life higher, that’s absolutely your right, that’s really all the thought this sort of image should invoke. Beyond that, I just don’t get the outrage here, talking about her personal failings, or that it’s part of her job, or whatever. Why does it matter? You do your thing, and she does hers.
That all said, I would like to see the fitness industry be a bit more inviting because I think most people could benefit a little bit more inspiration on getting in shape for any number of benefits. I try to make an effort to be helpful and realistic about that sort of stuff when people approach me and ask about it. But, unfortunately, in the end, all we’re seeing is the same regurgitated garbage that any industry that takes itself too seriously does. A random fitness magazine always has the hot new workout tips, the new supplements that will give you a better pump or help burn more fat, and an interview with some body builder or athlete. How is that any different from a women’s magazine showing 10 secrets to please your man in bed and an interview with some famous actress or musician, or a men’s magazine with 7 hints on picking up hotties at the bar and an interview with some model. It’s exactly the same extreme sort of the demographic, just aimed at fitness nuts instead.
At least I now live where I don’t have to be terrified of slipping on moss, like in Seattle.