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The late ’90s and early 2000s were a time of questionable fashion choices, like low-rise jeans that offered neither comfort nor practicality. Along with these trends came a mantra designed to suppress our cravings and help us fit into those impractical outfits. You know the one—Kate Moss’s infamous line, “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.” Sure, Kate, but have you ever tried a slice of rich dulce de leche cake on a warm summer day? I think I’ll take the cake over feeling thin any day.
By popularizing this saying, Moss inadvertently became the face of the #thinspiration movement. For those unfamiliar, “thinspiration” refers to images and quotes that promote extreme thinness, often featuring models with protruding bones or phrases like:
“You will not regret getting skinny, but you will regret overeating. The choice is yours.” — Unknown, Pinterest
“Junk food you’ve craved for an hour, or a body you’ve craved for a lifetime? You decide.” — Unknown, Pinterest
The intent behind these quotes isn’t to shame anyone for eating but to motivate individuals toward their ideal body—because, of course, we all aspire to be thin, right? Wrong.
Discussions on body image and diet culture have progressed in many ways. We no longer idolize skeletal figures as the ultimate goal. Even the fashion industry has started to evolve. However, we’ve simply swapped out #thinspiration for #fitspiration.
What’s wrong with fitspiration? It turns out that social media often reduces it to mere aesthetics rather than a holistic approach to health. Just like #thinspiration, #fitspiration promotes an idealized “fit” body, neglecting the importance of moving our bodies to feel good.
The problem is that #fitspiration can sometimes be damaging to our mental health without us even realizing it. A 2017 study by researchers Amy Slater, Neesha Varsani, and Phillippa C. Diedrichs found that women exposed to fitspiration images reported lower levels of self-compassion compared to those who viewed neutral images. The researchers noted that women might benefit more from messages promoting self-compassion, as opposed to the often harsh reality of fitspiration posts that can severely impact self-esteem.
To simplify, seeing fitspiration images can negatively affect how we feel about ourselves, especially when they are accompanied by guilt-inducing language. These posts often suggest that achieving a fit body is solely a matter of choice, ignoring factors like genetics and environment that are out of our control.
But there’s a silver lining! The study also found that women who were shown a mix of fitspiration and self-compassion images experienced better body satisfaction and a more positive mood. When we treat ourselves kindly, we genuinely feel better. Imagine thinking, “I work out because I love my body, not because I hate it.” What a revolutionary idea!
Choosing to be kind to ourselves doesn’t mean we can’t pursue our fitness goals. It’s essential to differentiate between exercising for enjoyment and working out purely for aesthetic purposes. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t have to be torturous or agonizing. You can honor your body by moving it without inflicting pain on yourself.
So, how do we maintain the positive aspect of #fitspiration? With summer upon us and social media buzzing with images of women enjoying the sunshine, it’s crucial to control what we expose ourselves to. If your feed is filled with photos of someone like Sarah, who wakes up at 5 a.m. to hit the gym, followed by a kale smoothie that looks like it could bring tears, take a moment to evaluate how it makes you feel. Inspired? Empowered? Or guilty for not being that dedicated? Trust me; I feel you. There’s no way I’m waking up at 5 a.m. for a workout!
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be fit and toned. However, if the pursuit of fitness harms your mental well-being or distorts your relationship with food, it’s not worth it. The damage can take years to reverse.
If your social media feeds feature content that leaves you feeling bad about yourself or inspires guilt over your appearance or diet, it’s time to unfollow or mute. Curate your online experience to empower you to live your best life because you absolutely deserve that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to enjoy life in my favorite two-piece with a margarita in hand, embracing my mid-size body.
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Summary
The article discusses the problematic nature of the #fitspiration movement, which often focuses on aesthetics rather than holistic health. It highlights that social media can negatively impact self-esteem and self-compassion. Studies show that a combination of fitspiration and self-compassion images can lead to better mental health outcomes. It encourages readers to curate their social media feeds to promote positivity and self-love rather than guilt and shame.
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