With Spring Break quickly approaching and summer right around the corner, the pressure is on for us ladies to be “bikini body ready”. Images of six packs and thigh gaps are pummeled into our heads excessively. These standards, as superficial as they may be, provide health and fitness motivation for many.
Although this motivation can be good for some, it may be more detrimental for others, leading to unhealthy diets and unrealistic expectations as to what a woman’s body should look like. Many fitness sources encourage weight loss and a thin body, rather than promoting health and confidence in one’s appearance.
So how do we separate the good sources from the bad? What is considered a good fitness or health source? How can we tell if a health source is reliable? Provided below are some steps you can take to help you decipher the good from the bad, and yes, the ugly, on your health and fitness journey. And if you’re lucky, there will even be a few fun and free sources recommended!
1. Rule out the ads.
Sources that show up of Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites are usually advertisements from companies that want nothing other you’re your money. They are usually focused on weight loss and show images of either incredibly muscular women or incredibly skinny women (some who even look sickly). Examples of headlines include lose weight fast, lose inches with no exercise, lose weight with this rare food, or drop pounds fast with this special trick. Trust me, there is no special trick, and if there is, it’s most likely a dangerous or ineffective product. You’ll be better off ignoring these ads all together.
How many ads have you seen on Facebook with pictures like this? Too many…
2. Determine whether or not the source is a run by a professional.
Some sources will give you endless advice, but have no merit to back it up. Is the source run by certified nutritionists or personal trainers? Is the person giving advice a professional fitness instructor? These are the kinds of questions you will want to ask yourself. Before you try anything, make sure the person you’re taking advice from is trustworthy.
3. Do research on more than just the ‘Official Website’.
If you are looking at a certain product or program, especially one you have never heard before, make sure to research multiple sources. So called ‘official websites’ are meant to boast about products or programs and will include highlights or good reviews and may even drop a few white lies here and there. Be aware of products or programs that say they are recommended by a certified nutritionist or medical practitioner, as this may be just another way to get you to buy into their product. Research who the practitioner is, visit another website that provides product reviews or even check twitter to see what people are saying about it. If it’s a nutritional supplement you’re looking at, research the ingredients to make sure it is safe and won’t have any side effects.
4. Look for sources that are positive and inspire, not those that make you feel bad about your body.
Any communities that put you down, encourage bad habits, or make you feel like the way you look determines your worth, should be eliminated immediatel! Sources, products, and communities should promote that healthy comes in many shapes and sizes, and skinny is just a stigma. Reliable sources will understand that your health is a complete package that includes physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Yes, with healthy eating and exercise, the body may lose weight, but the focus should be on the way you feel physically and mentally when being healthy, not on some unrealistic expectation of yourself. Unrealistic expectations can lead to low self esteem and contribute to the development of eating disorders, which we do not want!
5. Find a source that is personable.
If you know who is giving you advice, selling you a product or teaching you how to do an exercise, and can tell that they genuinely care about your well being this is a good sign! This person, or persons, should have multiple outreaches where they are actively engaged and invested in their community of clients. Trainers that respond to fans on twitter, keep up with a blog, or regularly post motivational videos, are good influences for your health and fitness journey. In fact, I happen to know of some trainers that exemplify these qualities. These three trainers are fun, motivational, knowledgeable, and provide excellent workouts and healthy eating sources.
Check out Blogilates, a business run by fitness instructor Cassey Ho. She uploads pilates and cardio videos to YouTube once a week, provides a free workout calendar to follow each month, and has tons of healthy recipes on her blog to try. She also sells adorable workout clothes, accessories and gym bags.
Join the Tone It Up community, run by trainers Karena and Katrina. You may have spotted them on their new Bravo reality show, but there is so much work that goes on behind the scenes. These girls have a full-blown meal plan available, a community website to find individuals in your area to connect to, and weekly workouts on Youtube that include a range of activities. They even have their own line of vegan protein powder called Perfect Fit.
Last but not least is Fitness Blender, a business run by husband and wife trainers Daniel and Kelli Segars. Daniel has a degree in food and nutrition, and Kelly in Psychology and Sociology, and man, do they create killer workouts! Their YouTube videos, unlike the others, average around 30 mins each, and are challenging and effective. They also provide meal plans and exercise calendars at incredibly low prices for what they are worth.
Well there you go! Hopefully the steps in this article help you along your health and fitness journey and left you feeling a little more informed. And don’t forget to check out the sources provided. Even if you are just looking for a fun workout or healthy recipes, these trainers and their communities will go above and beyond to make you feel strong and confident in yourself. Now go give ’em a try!