“Fit” seems to be slowly taking over as the new skinny as people are beginning to dish out their money on that organic-kale-antioxidant boost-green drink-thing and hot yoga instead of a burger and concert tickets. While there are people out there who are both pro-health and pro-burger, many blogs, Instagram accounts and other social media seem to be very one-sided.
The world is filled with social media hypocrites who will get annoyed at the people who insist on posting a picture of their lunch on Monday, and then post a snapshot of their own macaroni and cheese on Tuesday. The issue here is not the lunch-posting epidemic (unless, of course, you are a hungry scroller), but the fact that more and more accounts are popping up that make some feel guilty for eating that macaroni and cheese while they upload a picture of their grass-fed steak and organic brussel sprouts next to their perfectly-tanned stomach resting between a bright pink sports bra and tight Nike Pro shorts.
Like a drug, scrolling through this fitness porn has become addicting, and many have fallen prey.
“I think fitspo is a great idea for social media,” Jackie Kuczinski, a sophomore communication studies and psychology double major said. “I actually follow a lot of fitspo Instagrams to get ideas for when I want to change up my workouts or get recipes for healthy meals.”
However, others may not feel the same way.
“Looking at that would make me feel bad for taking an off-day,” said Mitch Benyon, a sophomore psychology major.
While reading health and fitness articles may have a response with some, constant pictures of “what you can look like” along with motivational slogans are bound to make a greater amount of people lace up their Nikes.
Some see this as inspiration, while others roll their eyes at these seemingly self-centered and overly proud lunatics. But seeing those “before and after” pictures of a complete stranger might make a dream real to someone who otherwise would not have been motivated. Something we all need to acknowledge is this fitness movement sends out a much different message than previous social Internet trends, such as “thinspo,” which often encouraged unhealthy habits.
However, at what cost are we making these better decisions? Should social media pipe down and let people enjoy their cupcakes?
