Issue #68 ·
Hustle Culture in Fitness: Why You Don't Need Every Race
🏃♂️ Why it's not great to always push yourself in exercise, How to learn to listen to your body and train confidently, Appreciating the benefits of exercise
Hello friends,
Last week, a friend invited me to join a marathon.
He said when I said it wasn’t my thing and didn’t fit my health vision:
"Don't you want to push yourself and see what you're capable of?"
I understand that many people need that kind of motivation, but I see it as problematic.
This week in building health 👇
How Hustle Culture Wreaks Havoc In Health
I know a lot of people who always try motivate themselves by joining race after race or competition after competition.
And I don’t think it’s a bad thing— we all motivate ourselves in different ways.
But it gets problematic to me when to focus shifts to ‘optimization’ and ‘personal bests.’ It falls into a trap of feeling like exercise is fun when only achieving quick times and performances.
Besides, running more races does not automatically lead to better performance. And in extreme cases can cause burnout and loss of motivation.
Remember to question why you're running or racing, and consider the broader context.
What Un-Healthy Competition Looks Like
Every year where I live, there are dozens if not hundreds of races.
From 5Ks, to 10ks, to Marathons, to Obstacle Courses, and Spartan Races. It’s always one thing after another.
And I’ve met people who feel pressured to join every race or aim for a further distance, another medal, or a higher milestone.
It’s always up and up, and more and more, and further and further.
Plus, social media worsens fear, distorting running achievements.
The Dangers of Comparison in Health
I constantly see social media posts of people doing their next race or joining some new competition.
Maybe Is it just my feeds, but social media favors that “achievement” type of exercise.
The kind of thing where you get a medal or trophy at the end.
But what if I'm happy with my daily walk?
But what if taking a swim at the community pool is my workout?
That kind of thing is a better indicator of health culture than how many races you’ve run in the past year.
I don’t like a culture where one has to feel like they're doing “real races” or “real exercises” when health and fitness is more than that.
Don't let a false idea of exercise harm your mental wellbeing.
Remember to Always Stick to Your Health Values
Prioritize physical health, mental wellness, or community.
Hustle culture pushes relentless productivity, but it can lead to burnout. Constantly pushing yourself to the limit without proper rest and recovery is unsustainable in the long run.
Success in health, like in life, requires rest and reflection.
Remember your 'why', set boundaries, and enjoy your health journey.
My favorite health things for the week
// one
How Hard Should I Push Myself?
8 minutes | Dan Shipper
This piece explores the balance between ambition and self-care.
It examines how our body reacts to stress and chronic pressure.
The article offers a new perspective on stress as a tool, not an enemy, drawing on Robert Sapolsky’s research in "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers".
It offers strategies to manage stress, keeping it beneficial.
// two
Cultivating Confidence
8 minutes | Sam Sager
One problem that I keep hearing when people exercise is that “I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing.”
It takes practice to be confident in your exercise routine.
This article explores how you build confidence using two ideas:
Specificity, and
Progressive Overload
It offers practical ways to experiment with these principles, fostering a deeper understanding of your body's capacity to change.
// three
On Appreciating the Benefits of Exercise
6 minutes | Jon Goodman
Long-time exercisers know it’s not just about physical benefits.
The mental and emotional rewards are just as significant, if not more.
Exercise is self-care, helps manage stress, boosts mood, and cultivates resilience. It's a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery.
As you push your limits and overcome challenges, you develop a deeper sense of self-efficacy and confidence that extends beyond the gym.
Appreciating these benefits will transform your relationship with exercise into a joyful, lifelong pursuit.
Until next time
Until next time
I did a webinar yesterday with a local company, and I’m going to experiment with uploading it online somewhere. 🎥
I’ll let you know when I’ve done that in case you’d like to watch.
Have a Healthy Weekend