Going to the gym on a regular basis can be a very healthy outlet for a lot of reasons. When used correctly, it can be a tool to help with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body image, strength, endurance and so much more. The key part of that, though, is using it correctly, and far too many of us don’t.
I have learned the hard lesson that I, personally, can’t go to the gym with the goal of changing my body. When I do, I always end up falling into deeply unhealthy patterns with my eating habits. That’s me though, it might not be the same way for others.
I cannot count my calories, measure my body or take my weight. I have even had to tell my primary care physicians that over the last few years, I don’t want to know how much I weigh, because something as simple as that used to send me into a spiral.
Over the course of the last few years, I’ve come to realize that these habits are more common than I thought they were. Slippery Rock especially has students who spend some amount of their time in the gym. On its own, that’s a fantastic thing. However, if one more of my guy friends tells me he’s practicing a calorie deficit, and I can tell he simply isn’t eating all day, I might lose my mind.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but being on a calorie deficit is not the same thing as consuming next-to-nothing but your pre-workout. One of those things is a tactic for weight loss and management, the other is an eating disorder, and the line between the two is very thin.
Obviously, I’m not your doctor—you can do what you want with your body. Just please be mindful of how you’re treating your mind and body. You could get hurt if you’re not careful. I worry that weight loss trends come and go, but can have significant impacts on us if we aren’t being careful. Contact the counseling center if you feel like you might need some help.
