We Are The 15%: The pride and pitfalls of the fit population
We are the 15% minority, they say. Really? Only 15% of the population is physically active? That can’t be right. Perhaps that refers specifically to gym goers. Either way, it seems askew.
Life among the fit minority is sweet, isn’t it? We have a mutual appreciation of hair ties, smooth mixing shakes and weight gloves. We grind through circuits together, post workout updates and make lavish use of fit hashtags. Among us, circles an awesome aura of positivity and motivation. And having adopted a healthy lifestyle, fitness and nutrition easily seep into our social and sometimes, professional lives. (Think of all those women you know who lost weight, got strong and became trainers). Before you know it, you’re surrounded by nothing but capped shoulders, trim waists, supplement ads and marathon runners. At least that’s what happened to me.
I love my tribe but here’s the thing. When we’re immersed in this strong, svelte and sweaty subculture, our perspective can get distorted. We can view our performance, circumference or weight relative to our own fit, clean-eating minority. We compare ourselves, inevitably, if not intentionally, to the leanest, fittest, strongest, and healthiest among us.
It’s like Michelangelo judging his talent only in respect to that of Titian’s, Donatello’s and da Vinci’s. On a lousy uninspired day, he may have contemplated the The Statue of David or The Last Supper and succumbed to a downward spiral of doubt and disparagement,though he was infinitely more talented than the average person.
We the fit, may do the same in our darker moments. Missed workouts, competition losses or a creep in weight can all trigger feelings of inadequacy, despite our above average fitness levels and achievements. When this happens, it’s helpful to see at yourself through a broader lens, one not focused exclusively on your sport or even on the fit world at all.
I admit that mingling in other social circles often fares well for my ego. I get home, check the mirror with a twist and a playful smile and I’m like, “ya, I’m good”. It’s not about absolutes or direct comparisons. The satisfaction stems from seeing myself from a different perspective. It’s a more telling picture of my position along a spectrum of lifestyles and capabilities — one speckled with contrasting shapes, sizes, habits and desires. But then again, that very same viewpoint reminds me why I choose to belong to the 15%.
