We all understand what goals are – they’re things you aim to achieve. It sounds pretty straightforward, right? But thanks to social media and internet culture, the meaning of “goals” has evolved.
So, what do “goals” mean today? According to an article on Elle, in social media and online culture, “goals” often refer to:
A WAY OF POINTING OUT IDEALIZED AND SOMETIMES UNREALISTIC ASPIRATIONS YOU’D LOVE TO HAVE IN YOUR LIFE.
These “goals” are usually tagged with hashtags and words like relationship, life, squad, bae, or friendship.
One popular type of “goals” recently is “fitness goals.” These often involve tagging friends in photos of fit models who look perfect, usually with the help of photo editing. This sets unrealistic standards and can be problematic.
That said, there are also “fitness goals” featuring real women doing genuine workouts without any touch-ups. But even these shouldn’t be glorified.
Firstly, let’s discuss the unrealistic images of women who’ve had cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery has become very popular in recent years, and there’s nothing wrong with opting for it. Anyone has the right to alter their body if they want and can.
Although cosmetic procedures are more common now, they’ve been around for a long time. For example, experts in Botox mention that anti-wrinkle injections have been safely used for over two decades.
While cosmetic surgery shouldn’t be shamed, it’s unhealthy to consider these women’s images as realistic fitness standards. Often, achieving those bodies without surgery is nearly impossible. Admire their beauty, but be realistic about what your body can naturally achieve.
Similarly, even women who have shaped their bodies without surgery shouldn’t be idolized as “fitness goals,” and here’s why. Every woman’s body is unique and shouldn’t be compared to another’s. Even if you follow the same diet and exercise regimen, your body might look different. Idolizing other women’s bodies as your “fitness goals” sets you up for disappointment.
Ultimately, we need to stop putting ourselves down. Instead of comparing, we should start loving our own bodies. Set realistic expectations and understand your body’s limits. Be your own “fitness goals.”
One positive aspect of “fitness goals” is that they have increased the compliments we give to other women. However, praising someone shouldn’t come at the expense of putting yourself down. Instead of telling someone she is “fitness goals,” simply tell her she’s beautiful and acknowledge the effort she put into her body. Then, do the same for yourself.
Remember, we’re all human and deserve compliments just as much as anyone else.
LET’S BE OUR OWN “FITNESS GOALS”.