Social media has changed the fitness field immensely. I guess it’s not necessarily social media itself; it’s the way that people have used it as a platform for their fitness pursuits that has really changed the game. There are always pros and cons, though… Let’s check some out.
The cons
I’m just going to come right out and say it: a LOT of those people (you know, those influencers?) didn’t actually gain that body from the gym. Sure, there are definitely a good amount out there who have worked hard for that toned bod, and you can usually tell who that is. Now, I am in no way trying to downplay anyone’s successes. I’m just highlighting the fact that our expectations of our bodies (both men and women) and what we will achieve from fitness have been extremely skewed by all of the people out there who were blessed with good genetics and say it’s because of fitness.
I know this, because I’ve been through it. I still struggle with it. Everyday, I go on Instagram or Twitter, and see hundreds of people with society’s idea of the “perfect” body. When I began my fitness journey, I was expecting that my body would transform into what they had, because, “hey, working out did it for them!”
Wrong.
I have grown muscle, gotten stronger, lowered my resting heart rate, and lost weight because of working out — all GREAT things! But the tiny waist, flat tummy, and huge butt? Nope. And a lot of my expectations are not going to happen, because I don’t have the same genetics as those people. And that’s okay!
The point is: social media has given rise to unrealistic body standards. Yes, this was a problem far before Instagram. It’s just gotten worse. Every time that you open one of those apps, you are subject to seeing it, whether you want to or not. Before, you had to go to the store, buy a magazine, and choose for yourself what you wanted to see.
That’s not all. Technology has also made it easy for those people to make a profit. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen selling workout plans, and their followers will buy them because they believe it will make them look like that person.
It’s extremely important to exercise and eat healthfully, but it’s dangerous to fall down the rabbit hole of only doing so because you want to look like someone else. That will only lead you to disappointment — you cannot expect your body to look like anyone else’s but your own!
You are beautifully unique, and the other benefits that you will gain from being healthy are far more important than having a big butt.
THe pros
The great thing is, if you are aware of what I mentioned above, then you can use social to find some incredible people that will make you feel good about your body and your unique fitness journey.
Here are some of my personal favorites on Instagram:
- Kelsey Wells @kelseywells
- Mik Zazon @mikzazon
- Kayla Itsines @kayla_itsines
- Chessie King @chessiekingg
Once you’ve found your own favorite people, social media can become a great place for spreading positivity and self-love. It can also serve as a platform for you to learn about nutritious foods, new workouts, and other avenues like yoga that can be extremely beneficial for your mind and body.
It’s easy to get stuck in that well-known slump of scrolling through profile after profile of people that you wish you could look like, fitness-related or not. The trick to a happier life? Stop it. Scroll through the profiles of those who make you feel good.
Be Well 