This has been something I’ve been pretty annoyed with lately and I thought I’d share my thoughts. Since being in the fitness world for a couple of years, I feel like I’ve seen it change right before my eyes. Why the heck is the fitness industry turning into soft core porn?
Do you follow fitness models on Instagram because they’re hot and post photos of themselves in little to no clothing? Well you lead a sad life. That frightens me. And the future of humanity. I have not nor will I EVER post a trashy photo, with a nonrelated caption in order to gain followers, likes or confidence. That would be disrespectful to my marriage, embarrassing for my family / friends and quite frankly not me.
There are many fitness models on Instagram that are basically porn stars. They are shaking their asses for Likes and hoping you’ll boost their extremely low self esteem. My Instagram feed has been flooded by girls who are nearly naked each and EVERY day. Yes I choose to follow primarily fitness people on Instagram for motivation, but it’s changed a lot lately.
Just because you put the words “HARD WORK” or something to the side of your image, it can still be insanely sexual and promoting an image of yourself that maybe you don’t want to be portrayed as….or who knows…maybe they do want to be seen that way?
Why can’t we be more pure? Why can’t we focus more on the big picture of promoting health and fitness instead of sex appeal? Fitness is sexy I get that — and I understand that it is important to showcase your physique but it does not have to be so sexy.
I created my Instagram account and this Blog to help others learn about how to improve their health and nutrition through my own experiences, not to show my ass every week. Yes, I’ve posted some bikini pictures and progress pictures but that is to simply hold myself accountable and show what is possible. My momma follows my social media as does my father in law and I don’t post anything that I wouldn’t want them to see! Why can’t more fitness girls be like that?
Speaking of parents… I DO often wonder what their parents think when they see these extra provocative shots flooding their social media sites on a daily basis. Maybe their parents don’t know about it or just don’t care? Or what about their spouses? I would NEVER dare disrespect my marriage by posting soft porn for random men to drool over. I mean really?? Could you imagine “Oh hey honey I see that 1,094 people LIKE your boobs today”… Awesome table talk right?
I remember hearing Jamie Eason talk about how she regretted some of her sexual fitness pictures she had taken in the beginning of her career. She became a sex icon for men who looked at her as a fantasy and she absolutely hated it and regretted every second of it. Her husband even lost a job opportunity due to her past pictures! She spoke out about this and changed her ways. This video is readily available on YouTube and I strongly encourage you to check it out.
I know many of you will say “they work hard for their bodies, let them show them”, and I COMPLETELY agree with this but I think you can do it in a more PG manner!
You need to think about every image you post to social media as these pictures will be seen by the world and could be out there forever. When you put yourself out there, be careful. Impressions can be everything. You can be a well respected icon in the fitness industry by being CLASSY and more reserved!
I’d rather not have to show my ass every day just to be sponsored by some kind of supplement company and get paid a couple bucks here and there. I’d rather continue what I’m doing and get smaller partnerships with big companies like Lululemon and Optimum Nutrition. Bigger brands are looking for PURE and dedicated people to represent their brands! In fact I was sponsored by ON prior to any notable accomplishment. I was passionate about fitness, nutrition and health; and the company rewarded me for that.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many fitness icons out there who show off their hard earned muscle and achievements, but still keep it classy and REAL. But in my humble opinion posting a photo of your ass with a cheeky caption such as “love my new socks” is embarrassing and a crime to humanity. Even with hashtags like #workout, #trainhard, #health this photo is undoubtedly trashy.
You are strong, successful, beautiful and worthwhile. No amount of likes, followers or sexual exploitation will make you any more desirable if you do not believe this simple paradigm. Post what you wish but please use caution and hashtags such as #softporn, #boobsinyourface, #givemelikesbecauseifeeluglytoday…
With love from the Trench Kitchen,
xoxoErika♥
