I spend a lot of time on Pinterest...actually, I take that back. I spend a LOT of time on Pinterest. Who wouldn’t? It’s got recipes, workouts, fun DIY projects that you will inevitably screw up...it’s a goldmine of pink and blue overdone-script-font goodness. My problem with Pinterest is the unbelieveable amount of bullshit squeezed into pinnable 200X400 pixels telling you that in order to get Michelle Obama arms, you need only to pin and perform these fabulous 5 tricep exercises or better yet, that you should drink this magical beet juice smoothie for a great liver cleanse...does that person understand what a liver DOES!? Don’t get me wrong, I scan pinterest for new workout moves all the time, it’s one of my favorite things to get from Pinterest - but the way that these moves are presented is laughable both from the perspective of science and that of someone who values body image.
Titles:
HOLY SHIT THESE TITLES. I scanned Pinterest for a whopping 5 minutes to find these beauties:
Lets Discuss:
These titles always play on some deep insecurity owned by predominantly women users, but they are stretched to some ridiculous hyperbolic realm that is so stupid that I can’t even explain. They create images in our heads of something truly “horrifying” as if it is somehow an eminent “danger” and provide us with the simple (scientifically inaccurate ) 5 step solution. “Budda Belly Be Gone?” Are you kidding me? “Belly-Busting tips?” Yes, I love swallowing a stick of dynamite, thanks for the suggestion.
The other titles create problems for us that we may not have considered existed - What the hell is bra bulge? Do my boobs need a boost? (Are we in the 7th grade again?) And again, as I have stated in articles past - Are we REALLY defining a mother’s worth by her “thunder things!?” By creating and perpetuating these new “problems,” pinners create needs for us (which we may have NEVER previously considered), while simultaneously providing their own solution.
Finally, these titles are almost completely scientifically inaccurate. YOU CANNOT SPOT REDUCE, nor should you care to. These “trouble spots” are “trouble spots” because EVERYONE HAS THEM - fixating on them will do nothing for your happiness, health or well-being. Focus on finding a sustainable wellness routine that makes you happy, and practice body-acceptance.
And “Best Exercises for Double Chins?” LAWLZ. That’s just f*#&$ing stupid.
Images
**TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that the below images can be considered triggering to sensitive viewers.
Titles:
HOLY SHIT THESE TITLES. I scanned Pinterest for a whopping 5 minutes to find these beauties:
- (My new favorite) “Buddha Belly Be Gone Workout”
- 8 Moves to lose your love handles for good
- Bikini Prep
- 13 Exercises to Banish Bra bulge (What the hell is Bra Bulge?)
- 7 Fool-Proof Belly Busting Tips (This sounds uncomfortable to say the least)
- Give your Boobs a Boost
- (Actually, no, this is my favorite) The Best Double Chin Exercises
- Diary of a Fit Mommy: Thunder Thigh Thinning Circuit
Lets Discuss:
These titles always play on some deep insecurity owned by predominantly women users, but they are stretched to some ridiculous hyperbolic realm that is so stupid that I can’t even explain. They create images in our heads of something truly “horrifying” as if it is somehow an eminent “danger” and provide us with the simple (scientifically inaccurate ) 5 step solution. “Budda Belly Be Gone?” Are you kidding me? “Belly-Busting tips?” Yes, I love swallowing a stick of dynamite, thanks for the suggestion.
The other titles create problems for us that we may not have considered existed - What the hell is bra bulge? Do my boobs need a boost? (Are we in the 7th grade again?) And again, as I have stated in articles past - Are we REALLY defining a mother’s worth by her “thunder things!?” By creating and perpetuating these new “problems,” pinners create needs for us (which we may have NEVER previously considered), while simultaneously providing their own solution.
Finally, these titles are almost completely scientifically inaccurate. YOU CANNOT SPOT REDUCE, nor should you care to. These “trouble spots” are “trouble spots” because EVERYONE HAS THEM - fixating on them will do nothing for your happiness, health or well-being. Focus on finding a sustainable wellness routine that makes you happy, and practice body-acceptance.
And “Best Exercises for Double Chins?” LAWLZ. That’s just f*#&$ing stupid.
Images
**TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that the below images can be considered triggering to sensitive viewers.
The images attached to these pictures are ridiculous. Believe it or not, working out practically naked in a gym is a bad idea. Have you ever had staph? Not fun. The overwhelming majority of images on pinterest pins concerning “fitness” feature women with an elusive body type wearing next to nothing. Even when the article concerns lower body movements, the pictures almost always show a woman flaunting her 6 pack abs. I’m f---ing sick of it. I will never look like those women. Most women will never look like those women - and that’s okay. The time, energy, and deprivation it requires to slightly resemble those women before they are photoshopped to oblivion simply isn’t worth it. My dreams and aspirations are great and, believe it or not, neither having the perfect “bikini body” or “toned inner thighs” tops the list. Instead try - being an amazing friend, mother, and advocate.
Those pictures don’t show you the amazing things the human body can do. They don’t show someone hiking up a mountain with a friend, holding a child she created and delivered, biking distances, learning a new yoga pose. Those pictures can’t encapsulate the true power and wonder of the human body that lies below the surface. They don’t show the strength of the human heart, blood pumping through the veins at a healthy pressure, or response to insulin.
Pin your heart out. Enjoy it. But be smart about it. Here are some tips to help you responsibly navigate pinterest for fitness and health.
Those pictures don’t show you the amazing things the human body can do. They don’t show someone hiking up a mountain with a friend, holding a child she created and delivered, biking distances, learning a new yoga pose. Those pictures can’t encapsulate the true power and wonder of the human body that lies below the surface. They don’t show the strength of the human heart, blood pumping through the veins at a healthy pressure, or response to insulin.
Pin your heart out. Enjoy it. But be smart about it. Here are some tips to help you responsibly navigate pinterest for fitness and health.
- Fact Check - Ensure that the facts, figures, and movements you get from fitness pins are legitimate by comparing with responsible sources like the American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, or a licensed health professional
- Change Body-Negative Pictures/Descriptions When You Re-Pin - Some of these pins have great content, but offensive pictures/descriptions. Change them to ensure that you can access the content without drilling negative ideas into your psyche - or that of others!
- Ignore Absolute (If not all) Measurements/Numbers - Lots of pins promise to tell you your perfect weight, ideal calorie consumption, or provide “rules of thumb” for eating practices. THESE ARE WRONG 99.9% of the time. Ignore them. Consult a nutritionist.
- Practice Media Literacy - Remember that many of the images featured for these pins are manipulated by lighting and/or digital altering.
- Your Body, Your Workout - Just because Susie R. pinned some crazy intense tabata workout, doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. Perform physical activity that makes you and your body happy. Let Susie R. do whatever the hell she wants. You do you.
- Make a Body-Positive Pinterest Board - There are some AWESOME pins that have great body-positive content. Pin them as little reminders to yourself to practice body-compassion. Here's the link to mine!
- Beware The Pseudo-Positive Pin - There are some not-so-awesome pins masquerading as awesome pins. They say things like “it’s okay to cheat X out of X days.” This is stupid. Honor your body and your hunger signals. Eat and exercise intuitively and mindfully. AND TREAT YO’SELF DAMNIT!