Is taking fitness advice from Instagram influencers dangerous?
Social media is a great tool to find fitness inspiration and connect with people who have similar goals. It can also give you access to brands and products that help you on your wellness journey . Many people have found that following fitness influencers can provide them with the motivation they need to stay on track and hold themselves accountable. However, there is a downside to this fitness trend. Looking up to these influencers can lead to unrealistically high expectations and cause you to set unattainable goals.
It is important to keep in mind that your body is unique and what works for your favorite Instagrammer may not necessarily work for you. Here are some things to stay mindful of when taking the advice of fitness influencers.
Setting Unrealistically High Goals
Following the advice of fitness influencers can give you the motivation you need to succeed. But comparing your life or fitness progress with them can be detrimental to your efforts. It can also set unrealistic expectations of what your body should look like. Many influencers only showcase their best moments, and some of the images may even be altered. So, when you’re scrolling through your feed, try not to make comparisons and remember that you may not be seeing the full picture.
Giving in To the Hype Behind Supplements and Vitamins
Many fitness influencers offer advice about supplements or vitamins to boost your health. However, they may be getting paid to endorse and promote these products. While most social media platforms have rules about disclosing paid promotions, these are not always followed. Therefore, it’s important to treat these recommendations simply as a starting point and conduct your own research.
Not Consulting a Professional
Before starting on a specific program or supplement always consult your doctor to check if it will suit you. You may be surprised at how many nutrients you’re getting from your food sources and may not actually need these extra vitamins and minerals.
Your body is unique, and it may not be equipped to handle the intensive training regimens that some of the fitness influencers follow. Always seek the advice of a professional trainer before starting a new program.
Social media can be a great platform to gain inspiration and advice from fitness influencers. There are dozens of influencers who are actually professional trainers that we would highly recommend! But it is important to remember that you do not always see the full story and these trainers often do not know you personally. Be mindful of your body’s needs, do your own research, and enjoy your fitness journey.
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