You’re lying in bed, scrolling through social media, when you come across a meme featuring a slender woman in a bikini. Instantly, you’re hit with a wave of inspiration. You decide to get out of bed and into the water to swim with the fishes (or at least do the backstroke!). As you’re getting dressed, you throw on a bikini and head for the pool. A few hours later, you return home, tan and refreshed. You’re ready to eat a delicious cake and pour another round of drinks.
What just happened? Chances are, you’ve been affected in some way by the rising popularity of body-posi Instagrammers and influencers. These celebrities promote an image of female attractiveness that is increasingly appealing to women, especially those who want to lose weight.
So how did this influencer-fueled phenomenon become so prominent? How can you put a check on this cultural influence and retain your self-image and healthy lifestyle?
The good news is, you can control a lot of this. You have the power to decide how you want the world to see you. With just a little bit of effort on your part, you can completely change the narrative and shift the social paradigm. You can be the master of your own story. And that’s exactly what this article is going to help you do.
Know Who You’re Influencing
Before we start digging into techniques to help you achieve your goals, it’s important to know how much influence you’re having. Does your current lifestyle and social media presence inspire confidence and encourage others to follow your lead? Or does it instill fear and insecurity?
Take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror. Is this the kind of person you want to be associated with? Do you want to be the model of health and fitness? Or are you the kind of person who, if you saw them walking down the street, you’d cross to the other side?
This type of self-awareness is super important. You don’t want to influence others in a negative way, even if unintentionally. It’s a slippery slope towards unhealthy habits. Plus, what kind of example are you setting for your kids?
Use Metaphors, Not Comparisons
Another important thing to keep in mind is the difference between metaphors and comparisons. When you hear or see a comparison, it’s often a red flag that a biased opinion is being communicated. For example, when you read something like, “You’ll never look as good as her, so you should just give up,” it’s pretty obvious that the writer is not a fan of the model. However, when you read something like, “You’re a ball of fire and I couldn’t be prouder,” it’s clear that the writer respects and values the individual behind the ball of fire.
Unfortunately, many people are simply never going to respect or value you based on your appearance alone, so it’s critical that you never let others define you. This is why it’s so important to establish a positive identity and value system that is uniquely yours. You have a right to define yourself and your body, and as long as you do so in a healthy and informed way, others will have to accept you for who you are. As you establish your identity and value system, you will find that others will begin to treat you similarly, even if they disagree with your choices. It’s a beautiful thing.
Be Confident, But Don’t Be Crazy
Finally, it’s important to remember that confidence alone does not guarantee positive results. Just because you’re feeling confident does not mean that you’ll automatically look or perform like a goddess. Confidence can be a good indicator that you’re on the right path, but it should not be mistaken for skill or talent. You have to put in the work to establish yourself as a serious contender, not just someone who is feeling good about themselves.
When you’re feeling confident, try and remember that you’re human. You’ll never get everything right at once, so there will be times when you’ll make mistakes. Every time you do, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, establish new habits, and improve your game. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; in fact, celebrate them. The sooner you learn from them, the sooner you’ll be able to move forward and establish your status as a serious contender.
The Rise of Body-posi
During the past few years, we’ve seen the beauty industry embrace a more athletic culture. Models are no longer just a pretty face, but now they have to be able to walk the runway and attract the attention of the male eye. As a result, many prominent fashion magazines have started featuring body-posi models. This trend has trickled down and inspired aspiring Instagrammers to post more and more revealing shots.
When you have a look-at-me culture based on highly edited and carefully curated images, it’s easy to see how so much influence can be exerted anonymously through social media.
This trend has caused many to question how much influence social media actually has. With so many people posting semi-naked or naked images on their Instagram, it’s easy to see how this platform could potentially warp our perceptions of beauty.
If you’re worried about how social media is changing your perception of beauty, you’re not alone. This trend is causing many to question how they measure beauty and whether or not this is even the true definition.
How to Lose Weight with Birth Control
Many people are concerned about how social media is affecting their self-image and the way they perceive themselves. While you might not be feeling comfortable enough to post semi-nude images of yourself, that doesn’t mean that you have to hide who you are completely. This is your body, your life, and you must begin to embrace it. Remember, however, that your body is a work in progress, so you have to be careful not to put too much pressure on yourself.
Instead of worrying about how much weight you need to lose, or whether or not you’ll ever look like a certain celebrity, focus on the positive things you can control. If you eat well and get plenty of sleep, you’ll be on your way to a better body and a better life. With a little bit of effort, you can absolutely achieve your goals. So why not start now?