Body Image and Social Media

Body image is always a tough topic when it comes to social media. From scrolling through photos of athletes with six-pack abs, superhuman flexibility and not a glimpse of fat, social media can be overwhelming. More often than not, social media does not serve to motivate us, but instead to make us feel inferior or somehow not good enough - at least when it comes to body image. I myself am a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and I am not always motivated by these posts, instead, I wonder why I am not on the same level.

Poor body image is often a precursor to an unhealthy relationship with food, exercise and disordered eating. An international team of researchers from Ohio State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland - "found that time spent on Facebook predicted more body comparisons among all subjects. For those who reported wanting to lose weight, more time on Facebook (images and written content) was associated with more attention to physical appearance and negative body image."

These findings show that scrolling through unrealistic photos on social media can have the opposite affect than what we are looking for. When you see a photo and compare yourself to it you are automatically tearing yourself down and negatively impacting your body image. Everyone is on a different journey and everyone has a different body composition. Comparing yourself only serves to disappoint.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, seeking out social media sites that build people up, such as Spright, #WeRunSocial, SIX:02, W3Move or a personal friend's Instagram and Facebook feed can serve as motivation. Don't compare yourself to the photoshopped image and fitness model. Instead, follow real people with real advice.

Pictured above: my real-life Instagram motivators!

Like almost everything in life. There is a good and bad side to social media. Besides it's ability to eat away time, social media can positively or negatively affect your body image. Social media is necessary for nearly everyone now and you can't avoid it. Learn how to use it to serve a positive purpose and boost people up instead of tear them down. Check out the #betterforit, #w3move and #werunsocial hashtags for positive fitness posts that will lift you up.

Have a social media and body image story or thought to share with me? I'd love to hear your thoughts and personal experience. Share it with me in the comments or (you guessed it) on social media.