When Gymtok Becomes ‘Gymtoxic’
Over the last few months my TikTok algorithm has been showing me only the best videos from the world of musical theatre and that is due to the promotion of “Wicked Part One”. As someone who loves musicals and appreciates the talent of singers, dancers and production, I unfortunately can’t sing and have zero coordination.
Nevertheless, I have absolutely loved watching these videos and my TikTok has been a very positive wholesome place watching the “"Wicked” press tour, videos of Broadway shows and I have genuinely really enjoyed being on the app.
‘Gymtoxic’
However, good things must always come to an end, as “Gymtok” has taken over my “For You” page and I really wish it would disappear. Disclaimer: I fully appreciate the importance of being active, healthy and feeling comfortable and happy in yourself. However, as the title of my blog implies, when does gymtok become ‘gymtoxic’ (Yes, I am extremely proud of that play on words).
I have seen videos over the last couple of days that are genuinely frightening. As a 27-year-old woman, I fully sympathise with the youth of today who are so indoctrinated by this toxic content. I have seen videos saying you can’t move to Dubai, Australia or Thailand if you are not in good shape. I believe one video actually said that in Dubai 90% of people are in shape, don’t be the 10%. I mean what sort of prick must you be to post something like that on your social media page for actual, real, normal people to see?
It’s their full time job!
Some other videos that I have seen appear on my “For You” page include videos of women literally sweating buckets in the gym with captions like ‘my last straw was Lizzo’, ‘my last straw was Ice Spice’, my last straw was somebody in Hollywood who’s probably on Ozempic and has access to dieticians, personal chefs and their main job is to be stereotypically beautiful.
Ozempic and weight loss medication has really fuelled this societal pressure to be thin. We’re seeing huge transformations in the media and a notable video I saw recently was from Kelly Osbourne. Kelly is asked about her drastic weight loss and she says people who “hate” on these medications are just jealous that they can’t afford them to achieve these results too.
Touch grass, be happy
Why is being skinny seen as the golden chalice for happiness? “Gymtok” has made eating disorder posts appear on my feed where people are commenting that they need to watch those videos to stop eating and lose weight. It’s frightening.
Over Christmas I had the pleasure of limited screen time. The drivel I’ve seen over the last couple of days makes me want to stop social media altogether. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching positive, funny content online. But this highlights why it is so important to break away from social content, to ‘touch grass’ and realise that the nonsense that we are exposed to each day is just not real life.
It’s very difficult to distinguish between the two sometimes. Social media makes you think that everyone is doing one thing and when you spend a half an hour in the real world you realise that it’s not the case. In conclusion, I really need “Wicked Part 2” to start their press tour immediately so my “For You” page doesn’t make me feel like I want to pull my hair out and that I can continue my blissfully unaware and uncoordinated life.