Are Media Images Motivational?

We are bombarded with images in the media of how we should look, how fitness should look. Those images for the most part are unrealistic. And they also are not relevant to the average healthy, fit person. Does seeing a ripped body in the media motivate you to pursue health? Do these images make you feel better about yourself? Or do these images turn you off? Research shows that spending time looking at such images on social media can lead to negative body image and even eating disorders!

When you see images like these that are real, these people have been dieting & training for months in order to try to be the best in a competition. This trend is not a healthy one. My cousin was involved in competing for a short time… as this lifestyle is not sustainable. She was so exhausted & dehydrated that she fell asleep & missed the big competition. Those who do participate in this way of life are not participating for a long period of time because such extremes are not healthy & not doable for the long term. One lady I have spoken with who used to compete is now dealing with kidney failure do to the extreme practices involved with competition.

I personally am not inspired by a fitness model showing abs or booty with a motivational quote. I am inspired by seeing those in real time working hard and having fun by enjoying the trails or lifting heavy stuff (not 2 pound pink dumbbells). What does make me feel good is seeing someone accomplish a movement that they couldn’t do before through consistent hard work & determination. That’s inspiring!

Walk into your local gym or a group fitness class & tell me what you see. For the most part it’s regular looking people like you & I dressed in comfortable active wear, not ‘underwear’. They are working hard to live a better life. People in general want to move better & feel better. If you’re not working towards your health goals for those reasons but rather to look a certain way, it’s probably not going to last.

Ignore those images on social media that are in poor taste & if you need to be motivated by images then look at the ones who are hiking, biking, lifting weights & enjoying other activities. Look at your neighbor or co-worker that has been looking & feeling better since they started moving more. Ask them how they got started.

Stop comparing & start moving!

Please comment or contact me privately: kandice@persona.ca