Billions of people use social media platforms every single day. Scrolling through newsfeeds has become an automatic activity for many—it’s the only way to keep up with the zeitgeist, and of course, stay in touch with family and friends.
Unrealistic image standards and fitness goals are more broadcasted to all, with the amount of social media influencers’ reach online. While social media has a reputation for lowering people’s self-esteem, there are ways to turn that around and find inspiration instead. You can be as proactive as possible by combining your social media habits with your weight loss goals! Here’s how:
Step 1: Unfollow Food Accounts
Drool-worthy photos on Instagram and Pinterest are harmless if you can scroll past them without feeling like you’re hungry. However, some people are very suggestible, meaning the simple image of food can urge them to go to the kitchen and eat an unhealthy snack.
If you’re the type of person who experiences cravings just by looking at a photo of a cheesecake, it’s time to unfollow all of those food accounts. It’ll be better for you in the long run!
Step 2: Follow Healthy Inspiration
Once you’ve unfollowed the tempting food accounts, it’s time to look for things that will lead you down a healthier path. Follow influencers or accounts that post about exercise, healthy living, and healthy food, and let them be your daily inspiration.
If you want to get into smoothie bowls, surely there are many accounts out there that talk about the best ways to create one every morning. If you want to practice more mindfulness in your daily life, follow accounts that will remind you to do so every time you scroll through your feed.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with spending a lot of time on social media—you just need to curate your own experience and follow people who will give you healthy ideas every day!
Step 3: Share Your Progress
Psychology studies have shown that notifications and likes have a profound effect on people’s serotonin levels. This attachment to online attention is about as unhealthy as it gets. You shouldn’t depend on other people to feel good about yourself!
When you share progress photos of your weight loss online, wean yourself away from the mindset of engagement as a reward. Instead, think of it as support and encouragement to stay on track. Don’t linger on what picture gets more or fewer likes than others—it doesn’t matter! Remember to just do you!
Step 4: Build a Support Group
There’s nothing like a group of like-minded people to push you toward your very best self. You need a support system to maintain your weight loss journey, and you can definitely find a good one for you online! You just need to take the time to find a community that prioritizes similar things.
If you’re focused on losing weight, you can join online communities where members log their progress and support each other. If you want to focus more on maintaining a healthy diet, find groups that share recipes, tips, and grocery hacks for efficient meal prep. There are so many communities out there that are bound to be a perfect fit for your weight loss journey.
Conclusion
There’s nothing wrong with spending a lot of time on social media every day. You just have to make sure that you’re being productive as you scroll! Looking at healthy recipes and sharing fitspirations within a community will surely help you on your way to your best self.
If you’re looking for effective weight loss programs in Birmingham, AL, Weigh to Wellness is here for you. Our programs are overseen by board-certified medical professionals with over 25 years of experience in weight management. We are here to help you create a healthier version of yourself. Begin your weight loss journey with us today!