Revenge Booty

 

Woman with Cylindrical Body
unknown artist
Photo Credit: National Museums Scotland [CC BY-NC-ND] 

A couple of years ago, I became obsessed with changing my body. Inspired by "gymfluencers" and an Instagram feed filled with workouts and progress journeys, I dug into gym culture, often spending two hours weightlifting in one day, consuming more than 100 g of protein daily to build a "revenge booty"...

As I became obsessed with the gym, I noticed that the things pushing me away from the pub and towards exercise were not positive thoughts but fears - self-esteem issues, financial worries and an anxious desire to be maximising my time.

I also suspect that this rush to the gym is partly driven by social media. It's hard to tell the difference between an obsession with health and an obsession with physical appearance, and we know the latter particularly affects the children raised on a diet of online fitness influencers. Fifteen years ago, only celebrities had unachievable bodies; now seemingly thousands of "normal" people do too. Given this environment, it is difficult for people not to compare and compete; a recent report shows that nearly half of gen Zers list "improving their appearance" as a key reason they work out. It certainly is one of mine...

Unfortunately, I don't think the gym will ever replace the pub as a new "third place" in which to make friends. The capacity for social engagement is undermined by most gym layouts. People mostly exercise with headphones on, eyes forward, staying in their lane. The gym seems more like a place to be alone and silent as we endlessly pursue self-betterment.

In my case, I gradually realised that I could never build a revenge booty big enough to get my ex back, and that exercising in front of the mirror and daydreaming about having a different figure wasn't empowering but an obsession with self-improvement... Thinking less about my body has made me feel much happier.

(Isobel Brooks, The Guardian, 2025)

You wanted to build a "revenge booty". Poor thing. Didn't you have a bottom already? Or did you have a bottom and you wanted to make it bigger? Or smaller? A "revenge botty". Did you want your partner, who has presumably ditched you, to now admire your new botty? Isn't this all a little odd, a little strange even? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

You started to go to the pub less and to the gym more because you lacked confidence in yourself. Why? Because of your botty?

You had financial worries. Yes, drinking a few pints these days is quite expensive though not quite as much as gym membership?

And as for your anxious desire to be maximising your time - I can see that setting clear goals and priorities in your epic search for a "revenge botty" would take precedence over a few cool pints in your local.

Ah. Social media and its influence. You have an obsession with your health and your physical appearance epitomised by your revenge botty. Is this correct? And that children are brought up to believe that physical appearance is very important? Forgive me. I thought you were an adult with perhaps a strong element of independent thinking and the ability to form opinions and make decisions all by yourself.

Thinking less about my body has made me feel much happier.. A form of redemption, Isobel? Fantastic.