Look, I love a good workout tip as much as the next person. But if I see one more fitness influencer preaching about protein, fiber, weighted vests, 10,000 steps, or the moral superiority of never drinking alcohol, I might just do a bicep curl with a wine bottle in protest.
Let me be clear: these things aren’t bad. Some are even helpful! But they are not the magic keys to health, happiness, or a perfectly toned life. Let’s break this down.
- Protein. Yes, We Know.
Apparently, protein is the new personality trait. If you’re not blending egg whites into your oats or packing 47 grams of protein into your mid-morning snack, what are you even doing with your life?
Here’s the thing: protein is important. We need it to build and repair muscle, feel full, etc. But unless you're a bodybuilder or training for something intense, you probably don’t need to be inhaling chicken breast every 2.5 hours. Eat a balanced diet, and chill. Your body knows what to do.
- Fiber: The New Protein
Ah yes, the great fiber craze. Don’t get me wrong—fiber is great for digestion and overall health. But we’re now at the point where influencers are sprinkling psyllium husk into iced coffee like it’s the secret to eternal youth.
Spoiler alert: you don’t need 40 grams of fiber a day from powders and mystery gummies. You just need a few fruits, veggies, whole grains, and maybe a walk around the block. Not every snack has to double as a colon cleanse.
- Weighted Vests Are Not a Personality
Why is every influencer suddenly strapping on a weighted vest to do literally everything? Walking? Vest. Vacuuming? Vest. Taking the dog out? VEST.
Sure, a weighted vest can be a fun way to add intensity. But do we need to make everyday life harder on purpose all the time? Sometimes it’s okay to just…go for a walk. Like a normal person. In a t-shirt. Without armor.
- The Sacred 10,000 Steps
If you didn’t hit 10,000 steps, did your day even count? That’s the message, right?
This one kills me because the number 10,000 is completely arbitrary. It was literally invented as a marketing gimmick for a pedometer in Japan in the 1960s. What really matters is that you move your body regularly. Not whether you pace your living room at 11:58 PM just to hit a number.
Walk. Dance. Stretch. Bike. Clean your kitchen while blasting music. Movement doesn’t have to be tracked to count.
- “I Don’t Drink” as a Badge of Honor
Good for you. Really. If avoiding alcohol works for your health or your goals, I support that 100%.
But let’s stop acting like enjoying a cocktail now and then means you’re sabotaging your entire fitness journey. It’s not “alcohol or abs.” You can be fit, strong, and healthy—and still sip a glass of wine at dinner or have a margarita on vacation. Life is meant to be lived, not just measured in macros and sober step counts.
The Bottom Line: Live Your Life
At the end of the day, fitness is about feeling good in your body, having energy, and being able to do the things you love. It’s not about obsessively tracking, restricting, or living like you’re auditioning for a survival show.
Sure—eat some protein. Get your fiber. Move your body. Skip the extra drinks if you want. But don’t forget to live. Go to brunch. Skip the gym for a beach day. Laugh with friends. Eat the damn cookie.
Fitness isn’t the end goal—life is. Let’s not miss it chasing arbitrary wellness rules.