Inspired? Or Just Tired?

I've talked before about my fitness role models (Check out the ripped form of Jet, one of my favorite American Gladiators. Yeah, I watch it...I've got a 10-year-old son) and how they inspire me to work harder. But according to a new study by Ann Wertz Garvin, a professor of health and physical education at the University of Wisconsin, we may want to re-think who we're using as role models. Her study found that looking at fitness magazines while you work out can actually make you feel worse about your body. I guess it's a good thing I can't read and exercise at the same time!

In Garvin's study, college students who read Oxygen while they were working out were "more anxious, depressed and in an all-around poorer mood" after working out than they were before. So much for the endorphin buzz. Really, who needs that?

Although the Gladiators are great fun, I prefer to find my fitness role models in real people...like the 60-year-old woman who regularly bikes through my town. Or the young woman with Down Syndrome who I see running regularly, with her iPod on and a beautiful smile on her face. This morning, I was really inspired -- and excited -- to open my morning paper and see that a junior at our local high school made the Olympic swim team and will compete in Beijing in August.

Real people with real bodies and real fitness goals. If that doesn't make you feel good about exercising, I don't know what will.

Comments

[Alyssa]

Totally agree! Plus, when fitness models are gearing up for a photo shoot or TV show, they have specific workouts and meal plans to get themselves camera ready. The fact is, even the pros don't always look like the pros!

[Roxanne]

There is survey data that reveals people feel better about their own dogs after watching one of the big televised dog shows. When I heard that, it made me laugh because I'm pretty sure we (or our significant others) don't feel so hot about our bods after seeing (fill in the blank pop culture body event).

[MizFit]

once I learned what alyssa said:
even the pros don't always look like the pros

I read the mags but dont pay all that much attention to the bods.

Ive seen them not "ready" and many times it's not pretty.

M.

[Dara Chadwick]

I know from my own experience with Shape how much effort goes into a photo shoot; I can only imagine what it's like for the fitness models.

Roxanne, that's too funny about the dog study!

[Strong One]

I think sometimes it's a matter of interpretation.
If you think you're going to look like 'Jet', then you should also have the personal trainers', fitness equipment, dieticians, etc to help you along the way.
Motivation is in the eye of the beholder and not in the magazine your holding.
;)

[Dara Chadwick]

Excellent point, Strong One! That's something I used to tell people last year when they wondered why they couldn't lose weight like I did as Shape's Weight-Loss Diary columnist. I had the gym membership, trainer, life coach and dietitian provided for me.

Love the line about motivation!