Motivation: Reworking the Pinterest approach
2012
During my freshman year in college, I had a roommate who really (really) enjoyed creating motivational “art work” that she plastered all over our tiny little kitchen. She was an art major, enjoyed drawing, and believed full-heartedly that her images and quotations were the perfect motivation pieces to keep her healthy.
“Snacking is of the devil!!!” was my favorite little quote of hers.
I’ll be honest, my other roommates and I mocked these signs mercilessly (especially when we found her snacking in the kitchen). This girl was not fat, but like so many, believed that she needed to lose weight.
We all could use a little motivation at times, right?
Whether we are trying to change an unhealthy habit or press forward with ones we are already doing, there is nothing wrong with looking for proper motivation. Even though I thought my roommate’s drawings were funny (and a little obsessive… and made our kitchen look like a playschool art gallery), it didn’t bother me to see her trying to put good thoughts out there.
So with that in mind, please excuse this little rant I am about to embark on.
Why I hate the Pinterest “Motivation” boards:
If you are on Pinterest, you know the ones: boards full of images with women in their underwear and sports bras, glistening with sweat, modeling perfect make up and “tousled” hair, holding little dumbbells or running in those awesomely expensive running shoes. They are usually accompanied with some sort of quote:
“Get off the couch and be the sex machine you were born to be!” (or something like that… I may have made this up, but it’s probably out there somewhere).
These boards have different names of course: Motivation!, Exercise!, Just do it!, Reach my potential!, Make my husband drool!, etc.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate the idea of motivation, nor even people’s attempts to be healthier. Nor, am I a Pinterest hater. There are a lot of things I actually like about Pinterest. I like that I have a place to post my crazy-hippie all natural recipes. I like to have a place to put books I want to read that I can easily access. I like getting some of the most random (but so helpful) ideas in regards to parenting, living, and home improvement.
But the Pinterest motivation boards—yeah, I despise them. Here are just some of the reasons why:
These images are setting women up for failure.
Almost all of these images of women are photo-shopped to death. Even though these women are probably all very fit, my guess is that even they are not fit enough to meet up with our post-production world.
I was watching a photography tutorial online a week or so ago. The very talented photographer was touching up an image of a tennis player. This girl was ripped. She was toned. She was beautiful. And yet, I sat there in disbelief as the photographer nonchalantly nipped in her stomach, tanned her skin, created some muscle definition, etc. I was sick. Not even the fittest are “fit” enough.
Women: You will NEVER look like these women. And that’s wonderful! You will look like a real person, your own version of healthy. Let go of the unrealistic (and damaging) image.
Many of the images are isolating one part of the woman’s body.
Argh! Like we need any more emphasis on objectifying our parts or isolating our flaws. These images continue to promote a disconnected body—which not only harms our perception of what a healthy body is, but it also has major ramifications of how we approach fitness, health, and wellbeing.
Women: We are a whole person. Body, mind, spirit! We are not just a collection of hard abs, toned legs, and killer butts. Enough, already!
These images are sending the wrong message about fitness.
These images are meant to be looked at. But guess what? Our bodies are so much more than something to be looked at. And while I have no problem with women wanting to look nice, healthy living should emphasize how we feel and what we are able to do in the world.
Women: We are more than something to be looked at. We can be a force for good in the world.
I’m not into soft porn.
Now I’m really getting on my soapbox, but I am blown away by how many of these images are completely over sexualized (and some downright trampy). And what blows my mind even more is how many women use these images as “motivation” and then complain that society only sees them as a sex object. Well, duh.
Women: Let’s show a little self respect and remember that we are not objects to be lusted after.
Before you all go a-hatin’ me:
I really do see the many good intentions behind these boards, and keep in mind that I don’t hate the women who post these things. Of course there are some images or links that are really useful and truly inspirational—the kind of motivation we need! Still, for the most part I think there is a much better way to motive.
What are they? I’m glad you asked.
Motivation tips for healthy living:
- List the reasons why you want to be healthy. What do you have to gain?
- Think of the people who will benefit from you being healthy: Your children, spouse, and friends.
- Aim to feel good instead of inflict torture for some sort of unattainable flawless body.
- Go ahead and give yourself a healthy reward if you meet your goals.
- Keep it about community: Working out becomes its own motivation when it’s fun and when you are doing it with people you love.
- And if you really need something to “pin,” I give you this:
How’s that motivation?
UPDATE: I realize the baby pin isn’t really “in line” with the rest of the article. It was meant as a sort of tongue in cheek thing. (Let’s be honest, this is my beautiful baby and one of her beautifully hilarious faces and the “mom” inside of me wanted to share it.) BUT, I do feel that what we really need are some better motivational images out there. So… here is a real one:
- Center image by Maddie Joyce, Flickr.
What are you some of your motivation tips? Do you hate or love the motivation boards? (It’s okay to disagree with me.)
(top featured image by Your Personal Best Training Studio, Flickr)
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Healthy or not? Pinterest lies and other foolish things.
[...] I get annoyed at this social media. I’ve already stepped on my soap box about the unhealthy “motivation” boards. ...
love this article – especially the part about how women fantasize about being these sexy women, yet complain about the oversexualization of women. Well put. BUT.. I also despise baby photos being used to say things like the above.
I would love to pin this article for my followers, but would never pin that baby. I guess you can’t please everyone – but good article, nonetheless.
Thanks, Emily. The baby picture is definitely more of a tongue in cheek approach, although I agree that I’m actually not a huge fan of it myself. It’s actually a picture of my daughter, and I just found her face hilarious. Maybe I will update it with something a little more in line with the article.
I totally agree. There are a lot of really great things about pinterst, as you said, but there also are a lot of things to be careful of…half naked women (and men for that matter) in particular. I am actually very particular in the people I follow. If I notice pictures like that showing up on my account I see who that person is that is pinning them and I stop following them. Not that I don’t like them, but I don’t want to see what they are pinning.
I also like your last motivation picture. There is nothing more motivating then feeling good inside my own body!
ps….I’m coming to your ai dance class. YAY!
I also unfollow those with “questionable” pins, which makes me sad because they are awesome people. I just don’t need that popping up on my screen.
So excited to dance with you in a couple of weeks! Yay!
Thank you SO much for this article. I also have sat and watched beautiful women become objectified by a click of the mouse, and even still I forget when I see those pictures how un-real they are. Then comes the comparisons, and the unhealthy goal making, and the frustration when the goals don’t happen. This is a great reminder that there are healthy ways to make yourself happy with who you are, not just what you look like. Just what I needed today. Thanks, Robin!
Thanks for coming by and for you kind words. I feel better knowing people like you are out in the fitness world to bring a good and healthy perspective.
I haven’t joined the Pinterest craze yet… but I think one of my Facebook friends has, because the motivational posters you describe come through my feed of her constantly… and I don’t like them either. What is motivating about a seeing a body I’ll never attain (even if I could..)? Good post!
Indeed!
Thanks, Melissa.
Love it, and it’s completely true. I’ll admit to having a motivation board, (mostly for running) and it includes running words, a few incredible yoga poses, and a 100 year old marathoner.
Would love to see the 100 year old marathoner.
Sounds like your motivation board is pretty awesome. Not surprising.
It’s funny that you posted on this. Just recently I decided that those pins with half dressed woman are really bad for my self esteem. I know that I will never look like these women and I would probably go crazy trying. Exercise is a stress relief and an anti-depression medication that my husband will testify I need on an almost daily basis. Running outside with the sun shining on my face is such a spiritual experience that reminds me I am important. I deserve to work out!
PS I love those little chicks, and I would post pictures of her everywhere.
I love what you said about running outside with the sun shining. THAT is the kind of exercise we all need… exercise that nourishes the soul as well as the body. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Robin, you might already be familiar with this, but just in case you aren’t: you should take a look at http://www.beautyredefined.net/ some friends of mine started it and your article echos their work perfectly. They do a lot of presentations and write posts about the unattainable “beauty” media has created for us women, and how to fight back against it. Pinterest is just a new media outlet to add to the pile.
This is awesome! I will definitely look into it and share. Thanks for posting it.
I totally agree!!!! I LOVED this post. Very well said.
Robin-
We are SO on the same page!! I’m perusing your site and stumbled across this post. I wrote a very similar one on my site ( http://www.thebalancedlifeonline.com/the-body/thinspirations-on-pinterest/). I love finding women who are passionate about this as I am. Keep up the great work!
~Robin
It must be the name! I hear people named Robin often have wonderful ideas.
But seriously, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad I’ve got to connect with your site!
Retaining the ability to keep up with my kids is my biggest motivation right now. I don’t kick myself too much when I eat a bite of ice cream, or forget to hit the treadmill, because as soon as I start becoming a lazy mom, I remember that wholesome foods and exercise give me the energy I need to be actively involved in my own life. I use it as a catch and balance system, and in addition, have been more motivated to keep the house tidy and take care of myself, which has been a battle for me… pretty much my entire life until now.
Well said, Kelly. (Besides, I don’t think anyone should be punished for eating ice cream.)
I tend to unfollow boards with a lot of that “fitspiration” for the same basic reasons that you mentioned above. I don’t find them motivational. Furthermore, all those women with visible six-pack abs? I bet only a fraction of them are menstruating regularly. Sure, there are some genetically blessed women out there who can be lean and maintain perfect reproductive health, but for the majority of women, a “ripped” body is NOT a healthy body. I know that not every woman wants to have children, so perhaps her fertility doesn’t cross her mind in her drive to be lean, but it should as it is a symbol of overall health. I once had six pack abs, and I lost my period and threw my hormones into a tail spin that, two years later, I am still recovering from.
I agree. Unfortunately our society is so image-obsessed that we are hurting so many women in their quest to look like the models. The good news is that the body CAN recover… even if it takes some time. Hope you recover fully! Thanks for stopping by.
Yes! I totally agree with everything you said. I have really noticed the focus on specific body parts, like that’s all women are, but something that bugs me even more is that, more often than not, these body parts and bodies don’t have faces. And it’s intentional. It’s like, we tell society and men to look at our faces and not our breasts or our butts, but when those are the only things depicted, what else are men, or even other women, supposed to look at?
Amen! That’s huge pet peeve of mine.