Facebook Helps People Lose Weight!

LeanerBeef
LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
Yep, that’s right – Facebook is helping millions of people get started on the road to better health and fitness! I know it sounds crazy but think about it, how many times have you seen a picture of yourself on Facebook and said to yourself “damn, I really need to lose some weight”? I know that I have untagged numerous horrible pictures over the years that friends have posted from a party or some other event. Eventually, I got sick of looking at those pictures and used them as motivation for finally trying to get in shape. I know I’m not the only one, I’ve heard about or read many stories of people that lost weight and their breaking point was seeing a picture of themselves on Facebook. So stop hating on Mark Zuckerberg, that man is changing the world in more subliminal ways than we’ll ever know.

It’s funny how Facebook works like that. It’s one thing to take pictures while out with friends or at a family event, you get them developed, look at them once and then throw them in an album to collect dust for the next 100 years. Nowadays, good or bad – it’s out there. It’s also increased the cost of most people’s wardrobe. Maybe not so much for women because you’re already aware that you’re not supposed to wear the same outfit 60 times but for guys, no doubt. Back in the day, I used to get a shirt or sweater that I liked and I’d wear it to pretty much every major event until that thing was completed faded. Now, you go out for a night wearing your new shirt, the pics get plastered all over Facebook and you might as well donate that thing to the Goodwill. You might leave the house next time you’re heading out in that shirt thinking you look nice only to hear one of your friends asking “dude, is that the only shirt you own”.

I know I’ve been spouting off about MyFitnessPal, healthy eating and exercise but really someone needs to give the people at Facebook some credit for helping people decide to live a healthier lifestyle.

The picture on the left is the pic I saw on FB that started it all.....true story.
clothescomp.jpg

This story was posted on my blog(askbeef.com) but wanted to share it here too....kinda interesting. At least to me. :bigsmile:
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Replies

  • You're awesome! And you nailed it! I couldn't stand having pics of me tagged. So I deleted FB and came here.
  • InezRny
    InezRny Posts: 53 Member
    Well,

    At first I had to do a double take when I read your post topic.. but then I see the point and I agree. LOL unfortunately it's true.
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    Well,

    At first I had to do a double take when I read your post topic.. but then I see the point and I agree. LOL unfortunately it's true.

    Right, it's definitely true, lol. Nowadays people are probably sick of seeing my pics on FB but before it used to cause me much anxiety.,,,,
  • lol, I have to agree. I figured that when I didn't like picture of myself, I needed to improve myself. Thank you Facebook...
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    lol, I have to agree. I figured that when I didn't like picture of myself, I needed to improve myself. Thank you Facebook...

    I speak the truth....:bigsmile:
  • arcticfox04
    arcticfox04 Posts: 1,011 Member
    I've never been to facebook and refuse to go on it. I think I did pretty good.
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    I've never been to facebook and refuse to go on it. I think I did pretty good.

    Um, good job.
  • Darkskinned88
    Darkskinned88 Posts: 1,177 Member
    i've had a facebook for 6 years (yes my facebook is a first grader) so i definitely was able to see the freshman 15 and onward. Even on pictures i really liked i never realized how fat my face was until i took new ones.
  • sexikc
    sexikc Posts: 153 Member
    Yes I agree...I have my account set to where I have to approve tagged photos before they can be on my page...and I also try to stay away from some people's cameras....some times its not even the fact that Im fat is just terrible photos in general...I will more be able to tolerate a less flattering photo is my body is looking good
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    Yeah, I need to set that up for approvals too, lol. Though now I’m like the self personal portrait paparazzi….:bigsmile:
  • getfitdiva
    getfitdiva Posts: 1,148 Member
    This is great!!! I agree with the shirt/dress/outfit deal. Dag I spent enough on it why can't it be in every pic and outing I got to!
  • TeresaOH1
    TeresaOH1 Posts: 31 Member
    Oh my gosh! That is sooo true! And you look GREAT! Thanks Facebok - you keep at it! :)
  • There is a widespread epidemic going on where so many people are wanting to live healthier lifestyles and journal their journey along the way. I'm loving it. Askbeef, you, sir rock!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    lolololololololol_gp_383711.jpg
  • Congratulations! You look amazing!! FB is what did it for my as well, I was pics of me with my son before his Jr Prom & decided I had to do something!
  • TeresaOH1
    TeresaOH1 Posts: 31 Member
    I need those pictures too! I am the opposite of annorexic. They look in the mirror and see fat when they are very skinny. When I look in the mirror I always think I look good! Or at least the same. I know I have a tendancy for a double-chin, so I do notice that - but that is it. So I can go out thinking I look great - and then HOLY COW I see the pictures and think what the heck?
  • Yeah, I need to set that up for approvals too, lol. Though now I’m like the self personal portrait paparazzi….:bigsmile:

    LIKE!!

    And good job with the loss. Facebook has influenced me too. I have had pictures tagged of me and I'm like UGH I don't look like THAT! lol.... I have one picture from a few years ago - a tiny friend standing behind me sitting in a chair. Yup. Motivation photo!!!!
  • VTXJOCKEY
    VTXJOCKEY Posts: 362 Member
    Ahh, Facebook. What would society do without it?


    Yes, you're right. That was very sarcastic.
  • meeka472
    meeka472 Posts: 283 Member
    You're awesome! And you nailed it! I couldn't stand having pics of me tagged. So I deleted FB and came here.

    ^^^This! I deactivated my account and then came here and lost the weight. After I lost the weight I reactivated my account and started posting pictures again.
  • stephanieb72
    stephanieb72 Posts: 390 Member
    I am here because my husband took a picture of me then posted and tagged on FB. I was mortified and pissed lol. Then I realized... hey I can't be mad that he took the pic BUT I can be mad (at myself) for actually looking like that!
    That picture was taken on June 17th and I was signed up on here June 20th. I am now down 38 pounds and still going in the right direction.
    Thank you FB :)
  • karenjoy
    karenjoy Posts: 1,840 Member
    what you say is very true, good post
  • matthew67899
    matthew67899 Posts: 58 Member
    I'll take it a step further than that: I had friends who were posting Cardio Trainer and Endomondo workouts so much, that I went out and dropped $400 on a mountain bike and started tracking my own workouts. Then, once I saw a couple people post about MFP on Facebook I downloaded the app on my phone and started using this website too.

    However, while we're giving credit to Facebook we should also give credit to smartphones in my opinion. ;-)
  • SherryR1971
    SherryR1971 Posts: 1,170 Member
    love it!! And you are absolutely right!!!
  • Nationalluv
    Nationalluv Posts: 23 Member
    I know the feeling. After my college graduation I was tagged in so many unflattering photos I untagged them all. That should of been a happy time but the way I looked it was horrible. Now days people want to take pics just to post them on facebook. I have a few pics at my of my higher weights but I can't wait to start posting pics I can be proud of. BTW keep up the good work.
  • OMgoodness, this is true!! A similar experience for me...Last November, I was tagged in a pic on FB and I literally felt nauseated when I saw it.

    It was about another month before I found MFP...and a couple more weeks when I started counting calories. January 9th was the beginning of my journey. But to this day...I still think about THAT pic! Thank you, FACEBOOK! HeHe!

    Congratulations....you are doing great!!!!
    :)
  • It sucks me that I have a really good close friend that Im NOT friends w on fb and we have mutual friends plus he's friends w my brother that I disowned. Hes always posting pics of me. I hate it!! We're not friends on there so why even post pics of me!! UGH!
    I guess the best benefit is he CAN"T tag me!! lol
  • sleepyjean88
    sleepyjean88 Posts: 180 Member
    I had the exact same experience, this is the photo that tipped it for me

    393995_331757746855091_1398454501_n.jpg
    on the left

    This is me 8 months later

    224198_504271921265_1764846940_n.jpg
  • puggleperson
    puggleperson Posts: 740 Member
    You speak the truth!!!!!!
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    I had the exact same experience, this is the photo that tipped it for me

    393995_331757746855091_1398454501_n.jpg
    on the left

    This is me 8 months later

    224198_504271921265_1764846940_n.jpg

    Very nice work -congrats!

    And Puggie - you know me. :-)
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    I am here because my husband took a picture of me then posted and tagged on FB. I was mortified and pissed lol. Then I realized... hey I can't be mad that he took the pic BUT I can be mad (at myself) for actually looking like that!
    That picture was taken on June 17th and I was signed up on here June 20th. I am now down 38 pounds and still going in the right direction.
    Thank you FB :)

    Very awesome - congrats! Keep up the great work! :bigsmile: