Everyone deserves the right to live their lives in a healthy and happy way. That is why it is essential for all peoples including LGBT to focus on their health and fitness.
Below is a discussion of the pros and cons of the issues surrounding exercise in the LGBT community.
PRO – PHYSICAL HEALTH
It is often the case that the physical health of minority groups such as LGBT is not as good as the general populations. It can be hard for them to access activities because of discrimination or cost. Remember, though, that evidence shows regular physical exercise is vital for health and longevity.
But just like in the LGBT world, there is no one size fits all approach to exercise that works. You have to find your own passion. The thing that motivates you to get up off the couch. It could be MMA, or running or even climbing. The choice is yours.
CON – VANITY
One of the major issues that some LGBT people come across when exercising the is the pressure to look good. While exercise generally is good for your health, the obsession with appearance can turn a positive activity sour. Especially if that is the only part that you focus on.
While there is nothing wrong with LGBT or non-LGBT people wanting to look their best, try to not let you exercising be only about that. Remember that there are a lot of other facets to working out that can enrich your life. These include mental and physical health, as well as actively getting involved in your community.
PRO – INCLUSION
Talking of community, one of the best parts of exercise is that it can bring LGBT and non-LGBT people together. There is a fantastic example of the TSG, which was set up for this reason. So not only will you be exercising, but also helping to break down the walls of isolation that those in the LGBT community so often face.
It is essential to break down this isolation and alienation of LGBT people as ‘other.’ By embracing the non-LGBT community, we open the door for them to embrace us. While still maintaining our identity and the support we gain from identifying as LGBT.
CON – DISCRIMINATION
Inclusion can be a rewarding activity, both in the personal sense and for the community at large. But it can be difficult for the pioneers that are at the forefront of such movement.
They can face discrimination and abuse. It is not easy to get through the fear and hate to the real person inside. It takes patience and forgiveness, as well as willingness on both sides to meet somewhere in the middle.
PRO – MENTAL HEALTH
Another important positive of exercise is that is can have a big effect on your mental health. 30 mins of exercise a day is known to be as effective as antidepressants for those suffering from depression.
This is an important point as those in the LGBT community often experience a higher rate of mental health issues. This is often due to the difficult nature of their situation.
