In case you haven’t noticed from my most recent posts (like this one or this one) I’ve trailed off onto a much more opinionated, full-of-perspective path recently. I’ve been trying to figure out where it’s all coming from actually, and the reason that keeps popping up in my mind is this:
I want my readers to know what I stand for…I want them to know who I am.
Today is going to be no different.
I write things and I post images, and then later I see others discussing the very same thing and a much more negative connotation. (Not necessarily regarding my posts or images.) You see, I possess this certain quality I’m going to call anti-tunnel-vision. You know, open-mindedness. It’s a quality I’m not always fond of, because often times I find myself sitting on the fence. I question my thoughts. Am I thinking about this all wrong? Am I offending other people? (I talked about this a couple of weeks ago actually.) Some days, it’s a very sharp, pretty little picket fence that I sit upon. Those days are fun. Haha.
My thoughts have recently been of the on-the-fence kind regarding:
Body image and the ever controversial fitspiration.
Source via Pinterest.
I’m just going to dive right into this, because I tend to get too wordy up in here.
I’ve seen a number of opinions popping up on Twitter and Facebook recently, and many of them are of a negative nature – pointing fingers at what we all know as “fitspiration”, or for short, “fitspo”.
Honestly, I hate anything with suffix “-spo” on it. Hate it. “Fitspo”, “thinspo”, hell, add “–spo” to the end of “run” to make “runspo” and I’d hate it. Haha. That “-spo” first appeared (for me) as “thinspo” back in college, and I learned quickly that thinspo was an abbreviated term for anything that inspired women (or men) to be thin. Like, really thin. Fitspo then popped up, becoming an abbreviated term for anything inspired others to be fit. Being inspired to be fit is not a bad thing, right?
Wrong. Well, to quite a few others at least.
It may just be me, but the term “fitspiration” is one I use often, and when I say “often”, I don’t mean it comes up in verbal conversations. When I label something regarding fitness as inspiring, whether on Pinterest or Facebook or Twitter, I label it as “fitspiration”. What’s wrong with that? It’s innocent, right?
I’m willing to bet there’s a split audience here.
So what’s “fitspiration” to me???
It’s anything that inspires me to become a fitter me.
Source via Pinterest.
It’s anything that inspires me to become a stronger me.
It’s anything that inspires me to become faster, more confident in my body, or just in general, healthier.
It’s anything that inspires me to focus on becoming all of the above rather than an unhealthy, happens-to-be-thin version.
It’s anything that inspires me to use health and fitness to become a better ME.
Source via Pinterest. Visit Bex Life.
Why is that so wrong? Why is “fitspiration” getting so much flack??
And you can get your ass I put many, if not all, of you in my big file of “fitspiration”. You don’t have to be skinny, run fast, lift the most, or run the most races to be inspiring, by the way. I’m getting off course here…
Yes, there are people who take becoming lean or strong or fit or thin too seriously. Yes, there are people that obsess over their physiques and become unhealthy mentally or physically. To those people, clothes size, the number on the scale, and the inches on the tape are everything.
Just because some people obsess doesn’t mean others do.
“Fitspiration” is far healthier than “thinspiration” in my opinion. It’s a far healthier goal. (Feel free to discuss “thinspo” below.) (There’s that “-spo” again. Gag. Haha.)
An image of a strong set of legs with an inspiring quote doesn’t mean that everyone who ‘likes’ it has an unhealthy obsession with their bodies.
An image of a solid pair of shoulders dripping in sweat doesn’t mean it either.
“Fitspiration” means a lot of things to me.
I had a whole list of ways to compare images based on their inspiring words put here, but this post is getting lengthy. Imagine that!
Anyways.
My “fitspiration” is my “fitspiration”. Just because I choose to label it that doesn’t mean I have an unhealthy obsession. It doesn’t mean I objectify other women (although, I do agree that some of the images used can go a bit far). It doesn’t mean that I have my sights set on a particular body I’m trying to achieve. I’m just trying to become a better me! If that means I pin a photo onto my “fitspiration” board, and the woman happens to be a size 2 and I’m just focused on the quote, that’s okay!!! Size 2 isn’t my goal. Healthy and fit is my goal. If it talks about a woman hitting 12% body fat, I won’t pin it. If it puts a skinny woman behind the words “eat less, crave less”, I’m not going to pin it. You just need to be aware of what’s inspiring you!
Yes, there are ways in which people become inspired in a negative way, but I’d like to think that the majority of society has good intentions. We need to be inspired! For me? Strength, character, compassion, empathy, and drive…I’m inspired by those things.
Just be inspired.
#findyourfit (It fits so many different things! Wee!)
QOTD: What does “fitspiration” mean to you? What inspires you?
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I recently read an article that said facebook is causing depression. It goes on to say that, some people look at some of these images or of images of people on vacation, with their children or just about any topic and they compare themselves and get depressed. The article goes on to point the finger at fb for creating an epidemic of depression. I thought it was garbage, really? it’s fb fault? How about we start taking responsibility for our own feelings? I find most of these images inspiring and have pinned many, but I don’t compare myself or even think about the picture when I drag myself out of bed every morning to run in the dark. What motivates me is ME. I am a better person mentally for taking care of myself, if I were to run simple because of my pants size, I would have quit years ago.
I adore your blog. You write beautifully, bring up the most interesting topics and your passion is contagious! Let’s go raid an avocado orchard! xoxo
The comparison trap is HUGE!!!!! I actually went through some of my boards this morning and deleted a good number of them, because I pinned them back when I was going through a time when I was comparing myself to others. (The difference between what I pin now and what I pinned then is insane. I’m so much more aware of what these pins say…)
Facebook can be depressing for me, too. Not because I compare myself, but because I see so many depressed friends! Everything becomes such a downer. (I could go on and on about this, but I’ll get off topics. lol)
AMEN to taking responsibility for our OWN feelings!!!! FB was, and still is, just a platform to connect with friends…and yes, there’s the business connection now, too. We’re all sitting on our bums, getting depressed because we aren’t moving, and because we’re using the time we’re not moving to look at other peoples’ lives, yes, it makes it worse. If you want something, GO GET IT.
Amen to motivation, too! Inspiration comes from others, motivation comes from within. <3 (Ohhh….blog post on that? lol)
Thank you so much, Lisa. You’re an amazing blog friend, and I really hope we get a chance to meet up one day…and we’ll definitely raid that avocado orchard together!!! xoxo!
I totally agree that Facebook can be depressing when people are depressed and negative. About 2 years ago, I decided to always ask myself this question before posting something, “Is this negative? Is this cynical? Will this give the appearance of being judgmental?” If I answer yes to any of those questions, I don’t post it. I’ve learned that if I’m having a rough time, I should talk to a person about it instead of spewing my negativity onto my Facebook friends. It has done wonders for my own attitude. This is off topic of fitspiration. But I was inspired by what you said!
I do the same dang thing!!!
I NEVER air dirty laundry…but I can’t help the “I’m not playing nice today” post I have to put up once in a while. Tee hee.
If someone gets depressing or Debbie Downer, I give that person a silent blessing and reset to see them less in my feed. If people share their vacations or pictures of their children, I am happy for them and enjoy seeing these things, now with that said, I have complete empathy for the women who might be infertile and she sees all of the baby pictures, that would be heartbreaking and at that point it may be better just to stop going on FB. Something I keep in mind when viewing FB is that no ones life is perfect, we all struggle in different ways, we all are in this together and often times the people that seem the happiest are the most unhappy. We all just need to love one another and try to have compassion regardless of what’s going on. Life is easier for some people, and things seem to just happen for them and others struggle and suffer through life. I tend to be drawn to the strugglers, they’re a hell of lot more interesting than the people that get things handed to them, not to judge, just sayin’
I’ve limited what I see on so many of my friends. It’s so hard when you truly adore someone and they’re constantly negative. I hate hurting others by removing them all together. (Not that I impact others’ lives that much, lol.) I just can’t take the same negative statuses, etc. day in and day out. It will get to you, you know? At the same time, I can agree on the whole silver-platter. lol Actually, I have to say, my life is pretty great. It’s 85% positive, but I have a lot of negative days (just had one, remember? lol), too. I am so very aware of what I say, so I have a hard time saying what’s on my mind, because I have had a friend tell me she wants to slap me because I’m so positive. lol Can’t win, can I? lol
I’m with you, many of the things I pin to my “fitspiration” board (not called that, but it’s essentially what it is) are because of the quote or a particular inspiring yoga pose I would like to work up to. I’m not necessarily focused on the specific woman in the photo, but I think that’s where fitspo is getting some backlash: the idea that women are motivated to work to gain a particular buff or athletic body that, in reality, might not be possible with their genetic makeup. So they are killing themselves at the gym and not seeing the results they want which is contributing to a negative self image and it’s just this big cycle.
But we all gain inspiration from all sorts of places and I think as long as those inspirations are causing us to make healthy choices and we have realistic expectations then it’s all okay
First off, cheers to sounding off as you want! Blogs should be authentic and I think people appreciate it, too.
Onto fitspo or fitspiration. Sometimes I feel like I miss everything–I had no idea there was any debate on this. But I am with you–it beats thinspo any day, and yes, let’s call it fitspiration rather than fitspo.
I am inspired mostly by my own drive to get it done–images and sayings are nice, but they don’t light the fire for me like my own desire to improve.
Honestly, I have NO clue why this even has to be a debate!! Inspiration is inspiration. We can turn anything and everything good into something bad – obsession, whatever. But we don’t HAVE to. You know?
I hate the -spo words. lol
I like images and quotes for thought inspiration…to spark a thought in my head…to spark contemplation. Of course, after that, it comes from within.
This is what’s so beautiful about the world…we’re all so different. 
I haven’t included that word in my dictionary or vocabulary! Not for any specific reason other than the word inspiration FITS just fine with me
Exactly.
I tend to sort things into categories. Haha. General inspiration. Fitspiration. Runspiration. Haha.
Thanks for including my photo, Melissa. The poster before me is right. We have to take responsibility for our own feelings. NOTHING can MAKE you depressed or give you feelings of being unworthy. No one can make me feel not good enough, ugly, fat, etc, without my permission. Human nature caters to the negative, the power to connect with our higher selves, with our god, with what makes us SUPER-human is what will release us from that trap. xo
Love this! I love that you share your real, honest opinion. Your style and voice is great! (Sorry, I’m a writer/blogger/English major)
Anyway, I agree that fitspiration is good and thinspiration is basically just ridiculous. I hate seeing stuff that’s like “don’t eat and you’ll look like a stick” kind of advertisments. That’s not inspiration. That’s just wishful, stupid thinking in my opinion.
But I actually have a board on pinterest called Fit Life. And I consider all of that to be stuff that inspires me to be fit because like you said, being fit is a good thing. I too don’t pin stuff that’s really sexy or revealing, because yeah, some of it is like porn-ish/too much. But a lot of it is really good and I like it. So there. I pin it and it makes me happy.
I think there is hate on fitspiration because people have issues with jealousy, their own ability, and comparison. People who live by fitspiration messages are living their life to the best. The people who hate it are not. Not my problem, haters.
Overall, it’s a good thing, but like anything, it can be taken too far. And thanks for reading my book of a comment, if you made it this far!
I really liked this post. I read the beginning and realized I struggle with being on the fence too. Most recently it was a thread I read about people putting their engagement ring on Facebook and it being tacky, which I had recently done. Whoops! I had no idea people thought that was tacky. So I felt a little self-conscious that people thought I was bragging or something. I just wanted all of my relatives and friends who live far away to have access to the album so they could see our engagement. Any ways, I digress. I love fitspiration! For me, it is also about the words. Remembering that my body is capable of more than my mind tells me. Giving me motivation to value my health. All kinds of things like that. I agree some images are too much too much too much. But I think LOTS of it is really good! I believe that many people are against it because they focus on the image rather than the words, which will set anyone up for failure.
Wow, I must be not paying close enough attention lately but I had missed the whole ‘fitspiration’ controversy. And honestly? I think you are right — finding whatever inspires YOU to get fitters, stronger, healthier is a good thing. Like you said, when it gets into over-exercising or putting that image of the ‘perfect body’ into your head as what you MUST become, then it become a negative thing for sure. It all goes back to balance, balance, balance. No extremes one way or the other, you know?
I saw more of it on Facebook, so you may not have seen those particular people say anything.
You said it, sista. When it gets to a point where you’re obsessing, then it’s time to step back and find your inner inspiration.
I love that word…balance.
I too had no idea there was debate on this!! That’s lame – as is fitspo and anything spo – never even heard of that but man, that is annoying! LOL. I agree with you that fit is how each of us defines it, and it is by no means SKINNY. It’s just that – FIT. How WE feel individually and how we each eivision what that looks like. Love this post! again!
Awesome post and very good insight!!! I love how you put things into perspective. I agree with you 100%!
I’ve heard the same things and as you mention, everyone is different! i tend to dislike the photos that are of REALLY thin or buff women with bodies that are almost unachievable for a woman that doesn’t do fitness as a job. And, yeah, there are always goign to be those that obsess but that doesn’t mean the healthy folks need to restrict. I hate the “spo” thing too! Anyway, I prefer good looking bodies that don’t look like Olympic athletes but just look good. Either way< i'm not gonna hate on someone for what they find inspiration in!
I’m with you on the “extremes” (too thin, too buff).
I think your last statement says it best. Who cares what inspires others? Sure, we may disagree, and sure we may find it unhealthy (and a lot of times it is with the “thinspo” thing). In the end, though, what matters is what we use as inspiration to better our own selves. We can’t change others.
PS: I’m with ya, girlfriend. I’m not a fan of the really buff ladies. lol
I’m so with you on this.
I saw a tweet the other day, with a link to an image that said something along the lines of “Do you want that cookie, or do you want to be able to see your collarbones?”
I mean, seriously? I agree with Ericka, in that these people (mostly younger girls) are tweeting and retweeting these photos of fitness models – people whose job it is to go to the gym. Think of it…they get PAID to go to the gym and eat healthy! That’s just not realistic for most people.
Now, I have a lot of work still to do, but one of the things I’m working very hard on is not defining myself by what I see in the mirror or on the scale. Those things are milestones, they don’t define me.
Thanks so much for your post. (And thanks for FINALLY helping me understand what the “spo” was all about! LOL)
The comments asking if you want to eat something are, in general, obnoxious. Add the “or do you want to be able to see…” question? I’m ready to b*tch slap. lol
Ericka does make a great point about the extreme photos…too skinny, too muscular…bodies that only, say, 10% of the population in this world can actually obtain. I think setting your sights on any particular body type can be harmful to how you see yourself. I think Jessica Biel is ah-mazing. Do I strive to be her? No. Could I look like her? Probably not. No big deal. I’m me.
The scale has been the hardest battle for me. I go through phases where I will weigh myself every single day, maybe even twice or three times. Then I’ll go through a phase where I won’t weigh myself for a month. I don’t get upset with the number, persay, but I’ll get upset if it moves up or if it doesn’t move down. Frustrating. It’s an ongoing battle. Defining myself in a mirror? I’ve nearly mastered that.
I used to dread it. Big time. Amen to milestones!
Haha, and no problem on the “spo” stuff. It’s dumb. lol
I didn’t read the other comments, because I want to make sure I’m not pressured to conform one way or the other. For me I go back and forth on the topic. Part of my sees it your way, the thinspo is an excuse to achieve thin “at any cost” where fitspo is more about pushing your limits and obtaining new goals and healthy balances. Sometime though, I look at the two and I get angry with myself and say “why does “thinspo” have to me “skinny” why can’t THIN be a size 12, but it’s thin for that person and healthy for that person? Why all this “my -spo is superior to yours” maybe we should all just be happy to be inspired to do what we feel is making us a better version of ourselves? There’s my ramble. Nice prompt.
I have such a hard time with it, too. My issue? I will pin something or copy something down…think it makes perfect sense, maybe even get all pumped up, but then I look at it later and think, “Wow. This could be taken so wrong depending on your mood for the day.”
Example: The pin of the thin woman in her cute PJ’s standing on the scale with the quote, “Your body keeps an accurate journal, regardless of what you write down.” It’s truth. It really does. When you’re working to lose weight and you’re having a hard time and you can’t figure out why it’s not working, maybe it’s what you’re not being aware of. However, the thin woman on a scale bit…it can be a little too “thinspo”. So if you’re having a day where you’re obsessing, this wouldn’t be a good thing to focus on. Am I making sense?
It’s also sort of how I used to see curvier women as healthier or more “real” than thin or skinny women. Why in heck would I see it that way? Every body is “real”. I know so many skinny women that kick ass and are healthy. I know so many heavier women that kick ass and are healthy.
Ack. I could go on. lol
Love your perspective. Thank you.
I’m with you. Some of those fitspiration images really do speak to me, especially the Nike ones. It’s not really the body that I’m looking at for motivation but the catchy don’t give up slogan.
I think, more than these images, the thing that bothers me more is the “No Excuses” nonsense. Those drive me batty. Sometimes, there are completely valid reasons to not exercise! Like work commitments or being sick or simply not wanting to. I think that mentality is more damaging to me than than the photos, though I imagine it does work for some people or I wouldn’t see it all over the place haha.
LOVE Nike. I have yet to find an image of theirs that doesn’t speak to me. (For the same reasons you say. I don’t usually pin images for the body…I pin them for their badass quotes.)
I sometimes like the “no excuses” bit, simply because I hate the “I don’t have a gym membership” or the “I don’t ever have time” bit. Legit excuses for the day, like work or kids or sickness, they happen. The law of health doesn’t say “thou must work out for an hour once a day, every day”. Move. That’s all it takes. Just move. Then, when you really want to push yourself, do it…in whatever way works for you.
My peeve? Women in bikinis (or short shorts and a sports bra, whichever) with: big perfect hair, done up makeup, big trendy necklaces, and long acrylic nails…lifting weights. With or without a quote. Dear goodness. lol How does that even work?
I completely agree with this. As a woman who has always been technically underweight for as long as she can remember, I know I could be on one of those “thinspiration” graphics, but even I can see that the “thinspo” tag is inundated with unhealthy messages and promotion of eating disorders. Even I know that my weight, my natural weight, is not a healthy weight for most normal people. However, when I ran across “fitspiration” I did not feel that it was on the same level. I’ve seen a few arguments – objectifying women, lack of self-love, etc. When I see a photo of a woman with a six pack I don’t see an object, I see fricking hard work and accomplishment. I WANT that six pack and I want to work hard for it like she did. In my opinion not making an effort to be fit is a greater display of a lack of “self-love” – it shows that you don’t love your body enough to take care of it.
Do I want to be fit to be attractive to my partner? Heck yes – if that objectifies me, so be it. I also want to be fit to stay healthy, to be able to hike for a day and not be immobilized with muscle ache the next morning, to be able to have adventures and to feel good about myself. Not all fitspiration graphics show “healthy” women and some do stray into “thinspo” material, but show me any movement with no bad apples. Now excuse me while I go get “fitspired”