Can #Fitspiration Ruin Your Body Image? New Research Says YES #shorts

Is fitness content on social media ruining your body image? Video with @SoheeFit

A new (ish) study tested what would happen when it showed women two different types of fitness images.

1. General fitspiration content, like fitness models wearing sports bras and shorts
2. Body transformation photos, showing before and after results

Interestingly, BOTH types of these images resulted in worse body satisfaction.

Basically meaning that if you browse a lot of this content, it could make you feel worse about your own body image.

And this is actually in line with a growing body of research suggesting the same thing. Although fitness content is (probably?) expected to be motivating, a lot of it actually makes people feel worse about themselves rather than motivating them to exercise.

Importantly, this is specific to people who are more prone to negative appearance comparisons.

To some people, browsing fitness content on social media probably makes no difference but to other people, it causes them to compare the way they look to other people and when those people are professional fitness models (often with highly edited photos) it’s probably not surprising that your own body doesn’t live up to expectations set by other people.

So, I am curious. Do you find typical fitness content motivating or does it make you feel worse about yourself?

P.S. At the end of each post, I remind you that my best-selling book, ‘Everything Fat Loss’ is currently on sale as an audiobook, plus digital/print versions from Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google, and Amazon with an extra 5% off in Canada. Please feel free to grab it if you would like.

References:
- Appearance comparison on Instagram: The impact of fitspiration and transformation imagery on young women's body satisfaction
- Fitspiration on social media: Body-image and other psychopathological risks among young adults. A narrative review

[Dragonmoon]

Agreed. At my lowest, any image or video of a fit guy would trigger my negative self-talk. But, after working out consistently and journaling I no longer feel triggered. Still have months of work and progress, but I don't tear myself down or resent people who have put in years of work.

[kaileek]

Absolutely! Fitness is an individual journey based on your unique goals and lifestyle. Thanks for the reminder, Sohee and Ben :)

[RS]

How something impacts you can also change depending on your mood, energy level etc
Being more conscious of your current state and the helpful things for whatever state that is can be useful
Takes practice though

[Numb_]

I'm one it the lucky few where fitness content tends inspire me granted i use Instagram like twice a month

[Enoch-Root]

Yeah, definitely not something that applies to everyone. A lack of satisfaction with my body motivates me. Negative feelings are the fuel that keep me going. But I also don't really care if I don't look like that best out there.

[Jakeboy]

I’ve compared my self to European men for about a year and it’s destroyed my self confidence 👌