Best Body Fitness

Good morning! Thanks for the supportive comments on my post yesterday. I found myself very thankful for that time to relax over the weekend. I had lots on my plate…including a special video filming.

Some unforeseen circumstances have made me unable to travel to the Binge Eating Disorder Association conference in a couple of weeks. I had planned to attend the conference and share my story as part of a panel on binge eating and social media. Since I can no longer make it in person, Ashley and Dana (the panel leaders) asked me to put together a little video sharing my take on it. Of course I am saving the video and its exact details for the conference, but it got me thinking about how social media fits in a healthy lifestyle. Like most everything, it has its pros and cons.

The Negative Side of Social Media

The Comparison Trap. It is so easy to see what other people share and think it covers the entire picture. A lot of times, however, it doesn’t. I know from experience the feeling of failure if I didn’t workout as much or eat as healthfully as others in my social media niche. I would give up on my own goals. On the flip side, I also faced times where it caused a desire to do more and to achieve more. I lost sight of my own goals and what suited my own best interest because a desire to fit the “status quo” of the social media environment.

It Becomes “Normal”. Some of the habits in some social media groups may not be healthy, but because “everyone” follows the habits they become reasonable. When I participated in an online fitness forum, it was the norm to eat 1200 calories of only chicken and broccoli in weird concoctions and post 2 hours of workouts a day. Those actions were far from healthy, but since so many shared those actions, I could easily accept it as okay and justify my behaviors.

Stress. Social media can easily develop into a source of stress. You don’t have to post your workout on Daily Mile or log your meals on My Fitness Pal to validate your healthy lifestyle. They are great tools, but when they reach a level of obsession and cause anxiety when not accessible…it’s time to rethink the social media game n your goals.

The Positive Side of Social Media

Accountability. I love having goals, however I certainly face times where I lose motivation. Knowing I have put my goals out there in the public eye, helps keep me focused. Besides accountability for goals, it also helps keep me accountable to myself. I believe in sharing openly and honestly on my blog. I have had my struggles with emotional eating and still face those urges. I want to “practice what I preach” in a sense and not put up a false front. Having this blog helps me keep true to myself and the new life I want to lead.

Support and Understanding. You all give me such encouragement on a regular basis. People I have met through social media also understand my passions and interests in ways others in my circle of friends and family may not. True relationships can develop through social media. The friendships I have made through blogging are genuine and add so much to my life. That alone makes social media a huge positive for me.

I think the key is to find the right group – a niche that fits your interests and passions…with people who want the best for you, encourage you, and inspire you. Thank you for being that for me. I hope I give some of that back to you.

How does social media positively or negatively impact your health and fitness goals/lifestyle?

{ 71 comments }