Self-Worth: Can Exercise Be Another Way For People To Abuse Themselves?

In today’s world, it could be said that more people exercise than ever before; with people of all ages doing something to keep in shape. Still, there is no denying the fact that there are still plenty of people who are not in shape.

Two Parts

As although there are a number of different ways to get in shape; there is also no limit to the amount of unhealthy food that is available. This is why self-control is so important when it comes to having a healthy body.

If one has self-control, it is going to be a lot easier for them to stick to a certain routine and to avoid the foods that are not good for them. This is likely to be something that they would hear from a professional athlete.

The Right Approach

Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that one needs to behave in the same way as an athlete if they want to work on their fitness. They will need to be careful when it comes to what they eat, but they won’t need to be as strict.

As a result of this, it will be a lot easier for them to stick to a certain routine, and this is because they will be able to integrate it into their life. If, on the other hand, they were to start a routine that expects far more form them, they may find that they are unable to stick to it.

Starting Off

The alternative would be for them to start with a fairly simple routine and then to gradually phase in one that is more complex. This would then give them the chance to get used to cutting things out and, at this point, they might see the benefits of doing so.

Through seeing how this has had an impact on them, it will give them another reason to carry on doing the same thing. It is all going to depend on what it is that they want to achieve; they might be happy with what they have achieved so far.

The Main Reason

If one just wants to improve their fitness levels, there will be no reason for exercise to take over their life. They can do something a few times a week and carry on with the rest of their life when they are not exercising.

However, if one wants to build muscle, this might need to be something that will become a big part of their life. There will be what they will need to do in the gym, and there will be what they need to eat, the amount of hour’s sleep they need, and what they will need to avoid.
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No Limit

Fortunately, if one needs help, it is not going to be difficult for them to find out about what they need to do. The internet is full on information on how someone can improve their fitness or gain muscle, for instance.

So if one doesn’t know what do, the only thing they will need to do is to go to a search engine and enter their question. If it doesn’t bring back the answer they expected, they can simply type in something else.

Positive Feedback

Once one starts to experience results, they could end up being treated differently by the people around them. They could talk about how slim they look, or they could say they look bigger or more toned.

Through hearing these kinds of responses, it might make it easier for them to stay on track. One could find that even though it is good to hear this kind of feedback, it’s not the main reason why they exercise, or it could be the main reason why they do it.

One Step Further

Yet, while exercise can simply be another pert of one’s life, it can also end up becoming so much more. When this happens, one could find it hard to give their body a rest, and this is likely to cause them to overdo it.

There will be the effect it has on them in the short-term, and there will be the effect it has on them in the long-term. There can be the little injuries they pick up and their whole body could end up suffering as time goes by.

Point of Focus

What this can show is that one is not interested in what they are doing to their body; the only thing they are interested in is forcing their body to look different. Therefore, as time goes by, they might end up with an appearance that they are pleased with.

But even though one is harming themselves in this way, there is going to be no reason for them to realise this. This partly comes down to the fact that exercise is generally seen as something positive.

Other Reasons

There will be plenty of people who will give them positive feedback, and they can tell them how good they look. And as one will be able to feel good through exercising, it can make it harder for them to tune into why they are behaving in this way.

One may have moments when they are pleased with how they look and moments when they feel completely dissatisfied with their appearance. There is then the chance that no matter what they look like, it won’t be possible for them to accept themselves.

A Closer Look

If they were to get in touch with what how they feel at a deeper level, they may find that they feel worthless. One is then going to be in a position where they hate themselves, and exercising will be a socially acceptable way for them to abuse their body.

When one feels this way about themselves, it won’t matter what their body looks like as it won’t change how they feel at a deeper level, and this is then why they won’t be able to take a step back from exercising. Through being addicted to it, it will limit the amount of exposure they have to have with their true feelings.

Awareness

It has been said that moderation is the key, and this is something that clearly applies to exercise. Once one no longer feels worthless, they will no longer need to harm their body, and this is going to have a positive effect on every area of their life.

What this can show is that one was abused and/or neglected during their early years, and this would have set them up to experienced toxic shame, amongst other things. In order for them to heal themselves, it might be necessary for them to work with a therapist or a healer.