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Can You Be Active Without Being Athletic
Unless you look a certain way, you’ll never be considered active
What does the word “active” mean?
In the world of online dating, “active” always makes me hesitate. It’s the most common answer to “looking for . . .” usually filled in with “an active partner to do activities with.” If the profile features photos of an athletic-looking man rock climbing, mountain biking, or skiing/snowboarding, I always hit the ‘X.’ The jury is still out on whether I could be ‘an active partner,’ but I know I don’t climb, bike, or downhill ski.
If I wanted to attract one of these men, maybe I’d add photos of myself at races, practicing yoga, or hiking on the local trails. Perhaps I’d answer the same “looking for. . . .” prompt with “a match for my weekly active endeavours.” But, can I identify as active, let alone athletic?
Until I started looking for a real connection, it was easy to meet people online.
Here’s the thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, I’m currently running three times a week and attending at least two physically-demanding yoga classes on top of my daily personal practice. How am I not active? I get my ambiguous 10,000 steps a day, or a better indicator of physical fitness…