Healthy Skepticism
“Women are anomalies, we don’t really study them.”
"Women are anomalies, we don't really study them." -- Response to Dr. Stacy Sims when she questioned why her results were not included in fitness studies
Now, I remember this disconnect / lack of representation every time I read an article or listen to a podcast about fitness, wellness or nutrition recommendations. The majority, if not all, of the "general population" fitness recommendations are based on studies conducted on 18-22 year old cis-MEN and/or unhealthy study groups (also mostly cis-men). The majority of current "diet," nutrition, & fitness recommendations have no grounding in what's appropriate for women, LGBTQ+, and/or any underrepresented population.
How do we counter this? Where do we go for relevant information?
WE have to do the work -- this is "tapas" or self-discipline in the Yoga tradition. This is "svadyaya" or self-study, study of our best self & how we reveal that best self.
Seek out health professionals who specialize in women's health, well-being based on sex and/or gender differences, fitness based on active, healthy women and/or how you identify.
When you consider a health/fitness recommendation based on a research study, ask questions, dig further -- "WHO was being studied? am I (or people like me) being represented in this study?"
If not, take the "research-based" suggestions with a healthy dose of skepticism -- if the information resonates with you & your situation, great, go for it. Yet don't grab on to the latest craze, weight-loss hack or exercise trend. Empower yourself to question a recommendation based on studies done only on cis-men, young cis-men and/or populations that do not represent your current physiology.
"You are the architect of your life. You decide your destiny." - Swami Rama Himalayan Institute
I hope you'll join me at OMBody this week ... 🥰
#gurupurnima