Let’s Kick Diet Culture Off College Campuses
By Mallory McPherson-Wehan
Yesterday I had the loveliest conversation with a sophomore at GW who was interested in becoming a group fitness instructor. It felt very full circle because during my sophomore year is when I met with Erin (the previous fitness and wellness coordinator) about becoming a group fitness instructor. But my conversation with Emily (fake name for anonymity) was so fundamentally different than my conversation with Erin 6 years ago.
Emily started off the conversation explaining how she often leaves group fitness classes feeling worse than when she entered. Between the cues instructors give (i.e. tone those legs, fat-burning exercise), the influence of comparison in GF environments, and the increase of metrics in boutique gyms, she has found it hard to feel safe and comfortable in group fitness classes.
THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM. Emily is not alone. There are so many times I used to attend classes and come out feeling yucky. I never thought too much about it because I didn’t think I had a choice not to attend. I HAD to get my cycle or HIIT class in…
I often think about how college is the first time many students are exposed to different ways to move. And for those who are overwhelmed or busy with school, the labels of “shame” and “guilt” show up in full force. Even yesterday in my one-credit fitness class I teach for the school of public health, I had three students describe themselves as lazy for not working out during the first two days of the semester. Needless to say, I explained to them that I don’t really believe “laziness” exists.
Okay back to the conversation with Emily. She touched on so many interesting points about college. She lives with a few girls who believe iced coffee is a substitute for multiple meals. Being around people who are in a different phase in their joyful movement/intuitive eating journey can be so hard. How do you support them while also respecting your own boundaries?
College was when I struggled the most with compulsive exercise. I thought taking a day off would ruin my life — or immediately change my body. I empathized with everything Emily said because I’d been there. In the introduction to my one-credit fitness classes this week, I explained to the students my philosophy as an instructor. I promised to never use cues or instructions that denote weight loss or anything that is not body neutral. I explained the importance of joyful movement, rest, and respecting your own movement needs. I described diet culture’s influence on the fitness industry and on college campuses. After each class, I had multiple students come up to me to say they had never heard anyone speak in the way I did about movement. One student explained to me that she’s struggled with chronic injuries for the past few years and that my explanation of joyful movement was so validating in her journey to listen to her body while also having to consider her injuries and limitations.
How do we make college campuses a comfortable place for students to explore movement while teaching them to push back on diet and fitness culture norms? How do we equip students with the skills to help their friends and colleagues who may be struggling with disordered eating or compulsive exercise? How do we help students understand that college can be HARD and taking rest days and prioritizing their mental health is not “lazy”? These are the questions that have been rattling around in my head.
I have a lot of influence in my role on campus which feels overwhelming but also really empowering. I don’t have all the answers or solutions, nor do I want to. Some of the answers need to come from the students themselves. I’m four years out of undergrad and times have really changed with things like TikTok. I am grateful there are students out there like Emily, and my friend Nikki (hi Nikki!) and so many others who make an effort every day to turn back the tide of diet culture. This is not a one-woman job (thank goodness!).
Here are my last pieces of advice:
You have control in group fitness classes. If the instructor says something that makes you uncomfortable or that you feel was inappropriate, tell them! I wish some participants would have called me out years ago when I used to say shit that was definitely not great. That may have been a wake up call for me.
If you are a college student, I promise you are doing your best! Prioritize your needs first and then support the people around you if you have that ability. College is really hard (in so many different ways), so understand that whatever you are doing is enough.
You may be one person, but the language you use matters. If you are a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, etc., start to listen to words you use in class or in sessions. Are you using inclusive language? Are you using cues that are based in diet culture (i.e. beach body, cutting season)? What behavior are you role modeling in your class? I used to brag about working out five times a day and goodness do I regret that.
We definitely have some work to do, but I’m excited.
Happy Fall 2021! Let the semester begin.
