TLDR: Thinking of becoming a gym bro or gym gurlie. How can we navigate the seemingly paradoxical intersection of physical health and the Buddhist philosophy of embracing non-attachment to our bodies? Through mindfulness and loving-kindness, we can adopt a fulfilling approach to fitness and nutrition that also prioritises inner harmony.

Every new year brings with it a time of reflection and renewed inspiration. Hopes and dreams are packaged into New Year’s resolutions — and it doesn’t take a psychic to know that physical health is pretty much on everyone’s list.

Much like the people who make them, these resolutions come in different shapes and sizes — whether it’s incorporating more exercise or a healthier diet. The motivations behind these resolutions are just as varied: perhaps less-than-ideal health markers in a recent screening, or wanting to look like an influencer from the Physical:100 reality TV show.

Whether for health or physical looks, many of us are drawn to fitness trends like spin, pilates, or Hyrox, leading to a corresponding increase in gyms and studios sprouting up all over the country.

“And? Isn’t exercising good for us?” you may ask.

It’s no secret that physical activity brings many benefits to both our physical and mental health. However, what starts out as beneficial for us can easily be derailed by misguided motives and obsessions.

The pervasiveness of social media has significantly exacerbated the issue. Amidst the sea of perfectly airbrushed pictures and AI-generated content, it is increasingly difficult to discern the real from the artificially edited. Whole teams are hired to get the perfect lighting, and direct the perfect pose, using the best equipment and latest software to make the next picture-perfect, viral-worthy content.

These edits not only warp pixels, but also our perception of what is realistic and attainable.

With our feeds filled with glamorous portraits, underpinning this trend is also a subtle phenomenon of the tendency for physically “attractive” people to receive better treatment in various aspects of life — an experience so common that it has earned a name for itself: “pretty privilege”.

Frequent exposure to such occurrences could influence our thoughts and lead us to conflate our external appearances and our worth wrongly.

With social media and popular culture perpetuating this narrative, it is increasingly challenging to resist the allure of achieving the “ideal” physical appearance and its perceived social benefits.

Given how easy it is to fall into the trap of obsessing over our bodies in today’s image-conscious world, this fixation on appearance can lead to significant mental stress. This can arise from constantly comparing with others, negative self-talk, and body dissatisfaction.

In striving to meet ever-changing body standards, some of us might take “healthy” behaviours to extremes, such as over-exercising to the point of injury or engaging in restrictive diets that harm our health.

Such habits are not only detrimental to our physical well-being but also to our mental and spiritual health. They can create suffering and attachment — the very things Buddhism encourages us to overcome.

The easy trap

Even in moderation, we can still witness attachment to the body. As esteemed Singaporean author, philanthropist and Google “Good Fellow” Chade-Meng Tan eloquently illustrates in his book, “Buddhism for All”:

“We want our own form (body) to be a certain way: attractive, healthy and fit.

“In addition to the wanting, there is the not wanting: we do not want certain bodily configurations.

“Unfortunately, we do not have full sovereignty over the five aggregates, we cannot always make them into what we want. In that sense, the five aggregates are unreliable. That desperation of wanting, and not wanting, that is the grasping. To grasp onto something unreliable is suffering.”

Does this give us the green light to be couch potatoes and binge on junk food all day?

Just as the Buddha had preached the Middle Way between harsh asceticism and overindulgence, we can also strive for a balance between caring for our physical health and avoiding attachment to our appearance.

In maintaining our physical health, it is essential to embrace the concept of impermanence — both in societal standards and our bodies. With the fleeting nature of trends, what is coveted today might no longer be desired years later, and the perpetual chase to keep up will quickly wear us down.

Acknowledging that we all share the same fate of ageing, illness, and eventual mortality liberates us from the grip of attachment to our physical appearance.

By viewing the body as a vehicle for our spiritual practice, we can approach nourishment with the intention of sustaining ourselves rather than seeking validation through outward appearance.

This perspective allows us to honour the body’s needs while simultaneously releasing the fear of its inevitable transformation. Before you dive into a workout or enjoy a delicious meal, take a moment to remind yourself of your wholesome intentions and goals.

Sustaining rather than validating

Whether it’s health and performance-based goals — such as lowering cholesterol or enhancing strength — or just for the fun of it, moving away from aesthetic goals sets us up for a more fulfilling experience.

By setting clear intentions and engaging in activities that bring us joy, we can concentrate on progress and our locus of control, rather than becoming ensnared by elusive and unpredictable outcomes.

When we’re in the thick of it, tuning into our breath and bodily sensations helps us stay fully present, making both our sweat sessions and our meals even more rewarding.

This mindful awareness creates a deeper connection to our bodies, letting us fulfil our bodies’ needs without attachment.

Mindfulness doesn’t need to end when we take off our sports shoes or put down our cutleries. Being aware of our social media consumption habits, recognising their impact on our body image and intentionally limiting exposure to harmful content can also steer us towards a healthier, more moderate perspective of our bodies.

Practising loving-kindness offers a powerful approach in fostering a kinder and more nurturing relationship with our bodies. By directing compassion towards ourselves, we can counteract harsh self-criticism related to body image, learning to accept our bodies as they are without the burden of perfectionism.

Integral to this practice is gratitude, which encourages regular reflection on the appreciation of our bodies as functional rather than for its appearance. 

As we adopt this mindset, we promote a healthier relationship and a more moderate approach to exercise and nutrition, where it becomes an act of self-care rather than self-judgement. Movement is transformed into a celebration of the body’s capabilities rather than a means of achieving a certain aesthetic, and food is the enabler that fuels and nourishes our bodies.

Reach out for help

In cases of severe eating disorders or body dysmorphia, it’s crucial to recognise when to seek professional help. While the methods discussed above can benefit many, these challenges often require guidance and support beyond what we can achieve on our own.

Reaching out to a qualified professional can give us the necessary tools and strategies to navigate these complex issues, ensuring a healthier and more compassionate relationship with our bodies.

By applying mindfulness, loving-kindness, and non-attachment to our fitness journeys, we can care for our physical health without losing sight of our mental and spiritual well-being.

Instead of clinging to short-term aesthetic aspirations, we can cultivate a mindset focused on long-term health, understanding that true wellness transcends the superficial.

When we begin to view our bodies as precious, transient vessels destined to change over time, we develop greater self-acceptance and compassion. This balanced approach empowers us to strive for holistic well-being, aligning our physical practices with our Buddhist values, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious life.

Wise Steps:

• Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude: Tune into your body’s sensations and needs, shifting your focus away from appearance. Regularly contemplate the nature of impermanence, while also celebrating the many abilities and strengths your body possesses.

• Establish Purposeful Goals: Rather than concentrating solely on appearance-related resolutions, create specific health and wellness objectives that prioritise your holistic well-being.
• Curate Your Social Media experience: Take a moment to assess and refine your social media feeds to minimise harmful comparisons and create a more uplifting and supportive online environment.
• Listen to those around you. Our friends and family often see the warning signs before we do. If they care, you should, too.