Buzz
While images of extremely fit individuals might encourage you to start exercising, psychological research indicates that depending on 'fitspiration' for motivation could do more harm than good. Here’s the explanation.
Fitness expert and author Lawrence Judd, who oversees operations at Shredded by Science and Elite Fitness Mentoring, explains that motivation comes in two forms: intrinsic (e.g., 'I run because I love it and aim to get better') and extrinsic ('I run to shed 10 pounds'). Lawrence elaborates:
Picture extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as piloting a jet.
Extrinsic motivation is like flying a jet with the afterburners at full throttle – you’ll achieve incredible speed and intensity, but the results won’t last long.
Intrinsic motivation is comparable to turning off the afterburners, engaging autopilot, and smoothly cruising to your destination without hassle – but remember, achieving this requires pre-flight checks, takeoff, and reaching cruising altitude. Developing intrinsic motivation demands preparation and time.
Lawrence points out that the issue with 'fitspiration'—which aligns with much of what I’ve observed—is that most of it strives to achieve three objectives:
Portrays exercise as a form of punishment
Emphasizes external goals, such as achieving an ideal physique
Attempts to induce significant guilt
This mindset is the complete opposite of intrinsic motivation, as it frames exercise as punishment and guilt rather than growth and self-empowerment. For long-term fitness success, exercise should be a source of joy and self-care. In contrast, fitspiration transforms exercise into yet another reason to criticize ourselves, undermining its effectiveness.
Image by antoniodiaz.
