Staying fit often begins with a simple desire to get in shape, but it can quickly lead to extreme routines and restrictive diets, which may end up causing harm. Many become too focused on achieving a specific physique, losing sight of overall health. In Nepal, where fitness culture is flourishing, and nearly every neighbourhood has a gym centre, it’s important to ask ourselves whether we’re improving our health or just chasing an unrealistic expectation, if not impossible, to attain. The line between passion for fitness and obsession is dangerously thin, and people often forget what it means to be healthy.

Eager for quick results, people dive into extreme diets and intense workout routines, believing more effort will lead to faster progress. However, without balance, this approach can quickly lead to exhaustion, frustration, and even bodily and mental harm. The pressure to live up to unrealistic standards, often fuelled by social media, makes it harder to distinguish between genuine commitment and unhealthy obsession.

Rajan Munikar, a fitness coach, powerlifter, and founder of IFit Nepal, a private gym in Kathmandu, highlights an important issue: the fine line between passion and obsession. While it’s clear that competition can drive progress, he stresses that it’s crucial to recognise when dedication becomes an unhealthy obsession. “Many people start out wanting to improve their health, but somewhere along the way, they become fixated on achieving a specific physique or competing against others,” he notes. He explains that this can lead to detrimental habits, often because many struggle to differentiate between a healthy passion for fitness and an unhealthy obsession. In our quest for better health, we may unintentionally end up doing more harm than good. While competition itself isn’t a problem, it’s essential to fully understand what you’re committing to and speak about it responsibly, especially if others look up to you.

According to him, many embark on their wellness journey with an “all-in or all-out” mindset, unknowingly setting themselves up for failure. He warns that brutal diet and training routines can rebound with greater force, leaving individuals demotivated and disconnected from their health goals. “We need balance,” he says—the kind that’s progressive, simple, and rooted in patience, not punishment.

Munikar observes a gradual but notable shift in how fitness is perceived in Nepal. While many are still driven by the pursuit of an ideal body image, there’s a growing recognition of the broader concept of health and fitness. However, he notes, “a significant portion is still primarily motivated by aesthetics—the desire for a certain physique remains a huge driver, not just in Nepal but worldwide.”

Munikar shares an optimistic outlook, acknowledging that while the aesthetic-driven mindset remains deeply established, it is gradually giving way to a more balanced approach to well-being. He emphasises that this shift is not about rejecting ambition but reshaping it. “The goal is to redirect the focus from a superficial chase towards balanced, sustainable living,” he says, underscoring the need for a more holistic perspective on fitness.

As people these days heavily rely on obsession and comparison, Munikar says the mindset shift isn’t simple. Most people start their journey to get healthier or look better, but many drift toward competitive goals—constantly chasing to beat their previous version: being bigger, leaner, stronger, or faster. He notes that while such ambition may seem positive, pushing the body beyond its limits at the cost of mental and physical health is unsustainable.

Whether people pursue extreme goals naturally or with enhancements, the risks to their health remain. Munikar explains that bodybuilding competitions, for example, often require restrictive diets, harsh routines, dehydration, and social isolation, all of which contradict the concept of healthy living. He stresses that health is not just about appearance but also mental, social, and spiritual well-being. He adds that we need to stop idolising extreme physiques seen on social media or in competitions. Being competitive often stems from obsession, and instead, he encourages focusing on balance and setting realistic, long-term goals that promote overall well-being and happiness.

It’s essential to recognise the adverse effects that an unhealthy obsession can have, not just physically but mentally. Fitness should make us feel stronger, not drained or constantly competing with others. It’s meant to be a personal journey, taken one step at a time, with purpose and patience.

In our fitness journey, we must ask ourselves, “Is this routine helping me, or just adding more pressure?” Questions as such can make a big difference. In a world where social media constantly shows us perfect bodies, intense workouts, and flawless meals, it’s easy to get caught in the comparison trap. But choosing balance over obsession—one can build a healthier, kinder relationship with fitness where progress feels good, and our well-being always comes first.