The other day I watched a very interesting reel that shows our obsession with food. Now, don’t get me wrong, food quality changed immensely over the years and it’s certainly not the best quality, but we are so OBSESSED with all the ingredients and it’s pushing the limits already. A few years ago, we were so normal about food. At least I was. Did I count my calorie intake? No. Did I measure how much protein I take? No. Did I care? Also no.

Suddenly, we are all so immersed in protein and everywhere you look it’s written “PROTEIN”. They are making protein bread, protein ice-cream, protein cookies and what not. When exactly did we start obsessing with protein? When did we stop enjoying food, drinks and just socialising over food. Nowadays, everyone is on some kind of fasting, diet or they already exceeded their macros. What does it even mean? When did we turn delicious food into numbers and measurements? I understand that people would like to reverse their health problems in this way and there is nothing wrong with that, but I’m afraid that we have completely lost it. On top of this, we have the obsession with working out. Everything revolves around macros and gym. Our body needs nourishment, it needs balance, it needs movement but nothing excessive. Nowadays, if you are not ripped you are not working out.

Movement is vital for mental health and then for the physical health and it absolutely works differently for women and men. Women have a 28-day cycle when not every day is the same. Today I feel like cardio, tomorrow I feel like Pilates. Why should I lift 150kg like a man, when my body is telling me it’s time for Pilates or rest? Well-balanced meals are important because your body needs energy to push you through the day. Why do we feel guilty when we skip a workout because we want to meet our friends? Why do we feel guilty when we eat something we are craving like sweets or pizza? I can’t remember the moment when things took this turn. I have been working out for a very long time, and I can’t remember obsessing over protein when I was in my twenties, and I still looked good, and I was healthy. There is nothing wrong with taking care of your health, but all I’m saying is that it’s not normal to be so obsessed with every single calorie we take, to plan our life around every workout, it’s not normal to believe everything we see on social media. My social media accounts are being bombarded daily with “You want your legs to look like this? Try our workout for 30 days” or “The best protein used by 90% of women” or ” You want to lose fat but can’t? Join us and in one week you will”. I know these are just ads, but people are falling for it, and I believe we are wasting so much time and energy on these things, when we could just be conscious about our health and bodies in a normal amount. One size does not fit all. What works for me could wreak havoc on you and vice versa. But we desperately need to come back to the normal state of things. Yes, please do take care of what you are eating, and yes please do some movement, but don’t obsess over it for God’s sake.

Let’s learn how to enjoy life again.