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The late ’90s and early 2000s introduced numerous trends that now leave us scratching our heads in disbelief. Among them were styles that prioritized neither comfort nor practicality, like low-rise everything, alongside a mantra designed to suppress our cravings so we could fit into those ill-fitted clothes.
One famous phrase encapsulates this era: Kate Moss’s declaration, “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.” Really, Kate? Clearly, she’s never savored a slice of rich dulce de leche cake on a hot summer day. Choosing thinness over deliciousness? I think not.
By promoting this mantra, Moss inadvertently became the face of the #thinspiration movement. If you’re unfamiliar, thinspiration is essentially thin inspiration. It often includes images of models with prominent bones and quotes about food and body image. For example:
“You won’t 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 necessarily to shame anyone into avoiding food but to motivate individuals to achieve the body they’ve always desired. But is being thin a universal goal? Absolutely not.
Discussions about body image and diet culture have evolved significantly. We no longer idolize skeletal depictions of women as aspirational. Even the fashion industry has made some strides. However, we have simply swapped #thinspiration for #fitspiration.
Fitspiration sounds positive, right? Unfortunately, social media often reduces it to just an aesthetic rather than incorporating it into a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, we find ourselves struggling with the idea of a “fit” body (whatever that means), rather than focusing on keeping our bodies active and feeling good.
The challenge with #fitspiration is that it can more frequently harm our mental health than uplift us. A 2017 study by researchers Amy Slater, Neesha Varsani, and Phillippa C. Diedrichs revealed that women exposed to fitspiration images experienced a significant decline in self-compassion compared to those who viewed neutral images.
The study suggests that women would benefit more from self-compassion messages rather than just the typical fitspiration imagery. The findings show that viewing fitspiration posts can lower self-esteem, particularly when paired with guilt-inducing words. This creates a narrative that achieving a fit body is purely a matter of choice, ignoring genetics and other uncontrollable factors.
However, the study also points to a more optimistic insight: women who engaged with a mix of fitspiration and self-compassion content demonstrated greater body satisfaction, appreciation, and less negativity than those who viewed only fitspiration posts.
When we speak kindly to ourselves, we tend to feel better—like saying, “I exercise because I love my body, not out of hatred for it.” This is a refreshing perspective! Being gentle with ourselves doesn’t mean we can’t pursue our body goals, but there’s a crucial distinction between exercising for joy and working out solely for appearance.
So, how can we preserve the positivity in #fitspiration? With summer here, we’re bound to encounter numerous images of women enjoying the sun. But you have the power to control what you see.
If your feed is filled with images of someone like Sarah, who rises at 5 a.m. for a grueling workout followed by a tiny green smoothie made of kale and cucumbers, take a moment to reflect on how that makes you feel. Inspired? Empowered? Or guilty for not waking up at dawn to work out? Trust me, getting up at 5 a.m. is not on my agenda either.
Desiring to be fit and healthy is completely valid, but if this pursuit harms your mental health or distorts your body image, it’s simply not worth it. Rebuilding from that damage can take years.
If you find that certain content triggers feelings of guilt or shame regarding your body or eating habits, consider unfollowing or muting those sources. Prioritize content that empowers you to live your best life—you deserve nothing less.
And now, I’m off to enjoy my life, embracing every moment with my mid-size body soaking up the sun in a favorite two-piece—margarita in hand.
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Summary:
The article critiques the concept of “fitspiration,” highlighting its potential negative effects on mental health and self-compassion. It discusses how social media often promotes unrealistic standards of fitness, leading to guilt and poor body image. The piece emphasizes the importance of self-kindness and offers strategies to cultivate a healthier relationship with exercise and body image.
Keyphrase: fitspiration impact on mental health
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