Social media and celebrity are obsessions in modern society. As a result, our awareness of how we look is increasingly acute, as we feel under pressure to achieve the perfect, toned figure flaunted by those on our social media feeds.
This culture has seen the growth of the online fitness industry. Figures who dispense upbeat, positive messages while habitually posting images of their perfectly sculpted forms and occasional 'naughty treat' (our equivalent of a nightly binge).
So it is interesting (and somewhat reassuring) to hear that one of the most well-known members of this industry (at least in these parts), Rob Lipsett (an Irish fitness Youtuber with over 116,000 subscribers and a growing fitness/clothing business), agrees that social media can result in people feeling pressure to look a certain way, and has advice for anyone who might be feeling these pressures.
Lipsett was talking to Brian Cronin for the first episode of the 'Ithaca Diaries' podcast.
BC: Health and fitness has really gotten more popular in Ireland now in recent years, which is fantastic to see, but perhaps one of the side-effects of platforms like Instagram is that men and women are formulating views of what our 'ideal physique' looks like...I'm just wondering as an online coach do you maybe experience people who have distorted views of what they should be striving for in terms of their optimal body composition?
RL: Oh, yeah, like completely...it's kind of like people getting the wrong idea, I guess. There's a crazy percentage of people who are overweight or obese in the world. So if you're lean, you're way ahead of the pack. If you've got visible abs, you're in like the top 5%, if not more. People compare themselves to the one genetic outlier who's got 5 million followers on Instagram. You need a bit of common sense. I don't go comparing myself to Steve Jobs! Some people need a slap on the back and (someone to) say, 'Get real'.
But then, it is pushed in their face a lot on social media. But you just need to realise that you are literally looking at the 1%, if not less.
BC: You can forget that context as well when your feed is just the top 1%... if you take yourself outside to the general population you are doing pretty well.
RL: Oh, you're doing exceptionally well. It's anything. I see Lambos pop up on my timeline!
And Lipsett had some tips for anyone looking to get started on New Year's resolutions to get into shape.
I would really recommend looking towards using scientists and researchers who go by evidence-based practices who can actually show you research and studies to back up what they're saying - and not just, say, 'bro science', as in 'Hey bro, this is what got me results'. Go to people who know what they're talking about, have evidence to back it up and can put it into practical application as well.
So people like Alan Aragon, Eric Helms, Danny Lennon, Brad Schoenfeld - they're a few names to look up and once you find those guys you'll find a lot more, because everyone will always point you in the right direction.
So once you've found a few good names, you're on the right track.
Setting realistic goals is definitely a huge part of progress towards any fitness goal. Later on in the podcast, Lipsett talks about people losing motivation because they are looking at "chapter ten" of someone else's development when they themselves are only at "chapter one". He's talking about business development in this instance, but the same applies to fitness goals.
It's a really interesting chat and well worth listening to the full episode. Lipsett chats about the island mentality of Ireland (and how it holds us back), how he deals with criticism and failure, Conor McGregor, the importance of risk-taking and the validity of positive visualisation. Any business students out there might also like to listen to Lipsett on the contrast between studying for a business degree and real-life personal experience. There's also more fitness tips and guidance for anyone trying to get (or stay) in shape after the heavy holiday season.
You can access the 'Ithaca Diaries' podcast on Soundcloud or visit its Instagram page.
