Fed up with feeling bad about your body because of Instagram!??

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  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    Don't call yourself a weakling for one. Even if it's in a joking way. Believe it or not, it's the little things that impact you slowly but surely. You are a queen and you better own it!

    Haha I wish I was joking, ok how about *body builder in the making* (that's a joke). Thank you for your lovely words.
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    ninerbuff wrote: »
    What society deems as acceptable is the problem. There are going to be MILLIONS of people who genetically cannot look like a model. So why is it trying to be achieved?
    Get in the best shape you can and be healthy. Only a handful of people in the world are on TV or movies. The rest of real life don't have a lot of these people running around.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    You're so right, and the intelligent me knows it. I just have to let go of that lil devil on my shoulder. And that's why I'm here, to become the best version of me, healthy & happy!
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    I don't think we can blame feeling bad about our bodies on Instagram.

    I think we can confidently say that it is part of the problem, along with all social media in general

    Only if you allow it. We all have a free choice in whether we go to Instagram. It is easy to blame a single website, but even the OP states that she has, "been struggling with low self esteem ... forever!" Maybe for people who struggle such a website may not help but Instagram is not to blame. There is a deeper problem that would exist even if Instagram were stricken from existence right now.

    you're just arguing semantics

    How so? I am stating the reality. This low self esteem problem has been around long before even the internet was born. Also even long before the age of photo shopping and air brushing images until they no longer resemble real people anymore. This is just true. We can't blame an age old problem on new things.

    I didn't say instagram causes the problem, if you read my post. I said it exacerbates it and that is true. It's asinine to think that the majority of people are going to quit their social medias anyways, as it is ingrained in everyone's life who was born in the last 30 or so years

    And if you read mine you would see that I also said the same. Different wordage. You claim I was playing semantics but also agree? Interesting. Please see this line in my previous comment. "Maybe for people who struggle such a website may not help, but Instagram is not to blame."

    @zachbonner_ Thank you for understanding

    @ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken

    Thank you for your feedback, I agree with you that IG is not the cause of my insecurity, but I know so many women and men that have much worse body image issues because of Social Media and the attraction driven shallow world we live in. I wish I was as emotionally intelligent as you and didn't let it impact me.

    Anyway, this was all taken too seriously. I wasn't about to make my post title: "Fed up with being depressed and hating yourself because xyz happened in your childhood and IG exacerbates it!?"

    :smile:
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    emdeesea wrote: »
    You can start by not calling yourself names.

    Thank you, i didn't realise i was until all you lovely people mentioned it haha, but seriously I'm physically weak and that's why I'm here! :smiley:
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I do not feel bad about my body because of seeing others with "attractive"bodies. I don't know that I ever have.

    Anytime I looked at my body with disgust it was simply because I was disgusted that I have let myself become obese - I did it. Through neglect and overeating. I don't find it upsetting to see others who are physically fit....I also am not hating on myself either - I am doing something about it.

    I've been back logging daily, exercising daily - lost nearly 14 lbs so far - that makes me happy every time I look in the mirror - in spite of the Instamodels.

    Hi @wizzybeth That's a real inspiration! I don't think I'll ever be as tough as you, but I'm trying. Good on you for losing so much weight and feeling awesome. I'm here to do something about it :smiley:
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    fit_chickx wrote: »
    ACHynson wrote: »
    Hi all

    28yo weakling from Australia.

    I have been struggling with low self esteem ... forever!

    Decided this year would be the year i stop:
    - poking and prodding at my love handels
    - buying baggy clothing
    - lying dead after 3 'girly' push ups
    - avoiding swimming
    - comparing myself to Instamodels!

    And start:
    - taking responsibility for my health & fitness
    - exercising regularly
    - building strength
    - loving myself

    Happy International Women's Day! (8 March)

    You are beautiful inside and out.
    Don't let the media and other people define you. Live life with no regret and define yourself. Be your own amazing.

    I applaud you for your goals
    - taking responsibility for my health & fitness
    - exercising regularly
    - building strength
    - loving myself

    We are all a work in progress, never give up on yourself.

    That was such a nice message. I didn't expect this type of response from everyone, it's definitely motivating me to be better, stronger & happier - not prettier or skinnier.
    :smile:
  • perkymommy
    perkymommy Posts: 1,642 Member
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    Welcome! Good luck to you. You got this!
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,573 Member
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    ACHynson wrote: »
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I do not feel bad about my body because of seeing others with "attractive"bodies. I don't know that I ever have.

    Anytime I looked at my body with disgust it was simply because I was disgusted that I have let myself become obese - I did it. Through neglect and overeating. I don't find it upsetting to see others who are physically fit....I also am not hating on myself either - I am doing something about it.

    I've been back logging daily, exercising daily - lost nearly 14 lbs so far - that makes me happy every time I look in the mirror - in spite of the Instamodels.

    Hi @wizzybeth That's a real inspiration! I don't think I'll ever be as tough as you, but I'm trying. Good on you for losing so much weight and feeling awesome. I'm here to do something about it :smiley:

    You Can!!!! Just start reminding yourself every day that everyone is different, nobody is perfect, even the perfect ones have flaws, and you are beautiful inside and out.

    I posted this on Instagram this morning, in fact:

    "Ladies: We're *all* Wonder Woman. Love who you are. Love one another for our differences. Have a great day!"

    t7juh8ugc0zq.jpg


    Then my friend put this on my Facebook wall. <3 Love it! <3

    t6qbpfcducc2.png



  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    Haha - As I've grown older (and somewhat wiser), I care less what others think of me and how I view myself. I also do not compare myself to other women (I do appreciate other women's hard work.) I compete with myself, example: can I do more reps at the gym than last week, can I add a little more weight to the bar, am I seeing muscles coming out more in the mirror, is my endurance improving. So, Yes - I still enjoy pictures/Instagram of other women but I believe in myself and I have overcome so so much already in this life (I feel like a warrior).

    Kudos to you for taking back your life and holding yourself responsible to take action. I took back my life a long time ago and it left me feeling empowered and happy. Be your own hero :smiley:

    Haha i want to be like YOU when i 'grow up' :smiley:
    I'm taking the steps to make that change. I am scared that I'll never be rid of my insecurities but your approach is spot on, compete with yourself = best advise. I just need to remember to be patient and positive. Slow & Steady. If I spend more time building my strength I'll have less time to be jealous of others.
    Thanks :smile:
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    mmccloy12 wrote: »
    Good for you! The first step to change a low self esteem is realizing the problem and making steps to love yourself in your own way. If that means not going on social media than so be it. I do agree if you are going to love yourself, you should stop calling yourself a weakling....lol! How about a "weakling that is making changes in her life!" or something positive like that:) I stopped going on FB and IG after the first of the year. Not because I didn't want to see the "beautiful" people, but because I was tired of the fakeness, the negativity, the politics and most of all, the time it was wasting! I would much rather be walking, or playing with my son, or preparing my meals to be a better me. So again, good for you and good luck!

    Thank you so much. That's so true. I'm going to do exactly that! Except I'll be playing with my fur baby :smile: My husband and i will be trying for a baby when he's back from a posting overseas! It's one of the reasons I'm so dedicated to becoming a stronger woman, emotionally and physically. I don't want my kids to see me hating myself and hate themselves. Sadly my beautiful single mum has always had low self esteem but I want to be more like her in every other way.
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    ACHynson wrote: »
    Hi all

    28yo Strong Beautiful Powerful Woman from Australia.


    I have been struggling with low self esteem ... forever!

    Decided this year would be the year i stop:
    - poking and prodding at my love handles
    - buying baggy clothing
    - lying dead after 3 'girly' push ups
    - avoiding swimming
    - comparing myself to Instamodels!

    And start:
    - taking responsibility for my health & fitness
    - exercising regularly
    - building strength
    - loving myself

    Happy International Women's Day! (8 March)

    @ACHynson


    Haha *fist bump* ♡
  • subcounter
    subcounter Posts: 2,382 Member
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    ACHynson wrote: »
    Hi all

    28yo weakling from Australia.

    I have been struggling with low self esteem ... forever!

    Decided this year would be the year i stop:
    - poking and prodding at my love handels
    - buying baggy clothing
    - lying dead after 3 'girly' push ups
    - avoiding swimming
    - comparing myself to Instamodels!

    And start:
    - taking responsibility for my health & fitness
    - exercising regularly
    - building strength
    - loving myself

    Happy International Women's Day! (8 March)

    I think we all have some type of issues with our bodies, even if we admit it, or not. Some people realize they can't change certain things, and have the Lebowski attitude to things:

    2-the-big-lebowski-quotes.gif

    Which is awesome. Most "instamodels" have either a lot of surgeries done on them, photoshop skills, angles, or simply have good genetics that store fat on their butts and other areas, less so on their stomachs. Even if they workout a few times a month, they can achieve certain physiques with ease. I wouldn't really worry about the societies view of beautiful so much, as its like fashion, changes often. You need to surround yourself with people loves you, not some fad.

    For me I rather set myself realistic goals. Things I can really achieve. Say going over my current x2 bodyweight deadlift. Say running 10k's faster, cycling better, getting my cardio levels better. And yes I too have the same issue of not being happy with my "current" body sometimes but I think the journey to health is a learning one, and this is the most important one of all, to love your own body at all times. So yeah set your self those realistic goals:

    Can be doing 20 push ups?
    Being able to swim without feeling self-conscious anymore
    Being able to Squat x amount of weight?

    Keep us updated!
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
    Options
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    ACHynson wrote: »
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I do not feel bad about my body because of seeing others with "attractive"bodies. I don't know that I ever have.

    Anytime I looked at my body with disgust it was simply because I was disgusted that I have let myself become obese - I did it. Through neglect and overeating. I don't find it upsetting to see others who are physically fit....I also am not hating on myself either - I am doing something about it.

    I've been back logging daily, exercising daily - lost nearly 14 lbs so far - that makes me happy every time I look in the mirror - in spite of the Instamodels.

    Hi @wizzybeth That's a real inspiration! I don't think I'll ever be as tough as you, but I'm trying. Good on you for losing so much weight and feeling awesome. I'm here to do something about it :smiley:

    You Can!!!! Just start reminding yourself every day that everyone is different, nobody is perfect, even the perfect ones have flaws, and you are beautiful inside and out.

    I posted this on Instagram this morning, in fact:

    "Ladies: We're *all* Wonder Woman. Love who you are. Love one another for our differences. Have a great day!"

    t7juh8ugc0zq.jpg


    Then my friend put this on my Facebook wall. <3 Love it! <3

    t6qbpfcducc2.png



    Haha amazing. Look up #ItWasNeverADress
    ! Love it
  • meldeeonline
    meldeeonline Posts: 27 Member
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    I totally feel you, girl. Welcome!!!
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
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    Thank you @meldeeonline - My immediate thoughts were 'I wish i had your figure!' but I'm trying to give that up :wink:
  • Aclaire88
    Aclaire88 Posts: 80 Member
    Options
    subcounter wrote: »
    ACHynson wrote: »
    Hi all

    28yo weakling from Australia.

    I have been struggling with low self esteem ... forever!

    Decided this year would be the year i stop:
    - poking and prodding at my love handels
    - buying baggy clothing
    - lying dead after 3 'girly' push ups
    - avoiding swimming
    - comparing myself to Instamodels!

    And start:
    - taking responsibility for my health & fitness
    - exercising regularly
    - building strength
    - loving myself

    Happy International Women's Day! (8 March)

    I think we all have some type of issues with our bodies, even if we admit it, or not. Some people realize they can't change certain things, and have the Lebowski attitude to things:

    2-the-big-lebowski-quotes.gif

    Which is awesome. Most "instamodels" have either a lot of surgeries done on them, photoshop skills, angles, or simply have good genetics that store fat on their butts and other areas, less so on their stomachs. Even if they workout a few times a month, they can achieve certain physiques with ease. I wouldn't really worry about the societies view of beautiful so much, as its like fashion, changes often. You need to surround yourself with people loves you, not some fad.

    For me I rather set myself realistic goals. Things I can really achieve. Say going over my current x2 bodyweight deadlift. Say running 10k's faster, cycling better, getting my cardio levels better. And yes I too have the same issue of not being happy with my "current" body sometimes but I think the journey to health is a learning one, and this is the most important one of all, to love your own body at all times. So yeah set your self those realistic goals:

    Can be doing 20 push ups?
    Being able to swim without feeling self-conscious anymore
    Being able to Squat x amount of weight?

    Keep us updated!

    Haha Thanks, your post made me smile.

    It's crazy that although I've become fine tuned to pick out the surgeries people have had and admittedly wear makeup and use filters myself, I still feel insecure and want what others have or look like they have. That's all going to change!

    20 REAL push ups sounds like a good aim for upper body! I've already started compiling a list. I like lists :smiley: