social media selfies | TooTallFritz

The influence of social media on fitness is currently huge. I can’t log onto Facebook or Instagram without seeing sweaty gym selfies on my newsfeed. There is a constant barrage of posts about fitness, workouts and training. Sometimes the meaning of these fitness posts get lost on its audience and I want to take a minute to think about that. Oh, and here is my sweaty selfie from my morning ride on the trainer.

I see many who get annoyed and block or unfollow the posters of these sweaty selfies. The poster may be a friend, blogger, or an acquaintance. But some people like my husband have just had enough.

Other people are inspired and want to see more. It helps them get motivated in the mornings when they’d rather sleep in or just sit and drink coffee in their pajamas. How about you; how do you feel?

For me, it’s about motivation, inspiration and accountability. I don’t have a coach. I don’t really have anyone who cares whether I work out or not. I do it for me. Each workout. Each drop of sweat. Each time I get up and get moving when I just want to sleep, it’s for me. Those sweaty selfie posters, aren’t taking pics of themselves cuz they think they are awesome. They are doing it to hold themselves accountable. To document workouts over time. To watch their own progress. To motivate themselves to stick with it and keep pushing when nobody in their real world cares. If it motivates others, bonus. If not …..

So please keep posting those sweaty selfies. Keep giving me the details of your workouts. Keep working hard cuz that’s what this is all about. It’s not pretty. It’s certainly not sexy. It’s hard work and I’m proud to know so many people who are chasing their dreams and being a positive influence on social media. It’s not bragging, it’s the way that we hold ourselves accountable. It’s the way we connect with others who care about fitness. It’s who we are, day in and day out. If by chance, we possibly motivate even one person along the way, then it was worth it. So let’s see those sweaty selfies! Post yours to social media and tag @tootallfritz on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook!

** Cheers ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

I’m always significantly behind on my reading. Always. Last week I was reading an article in an old Runners World, that I had just unpacked, and it was on the subject of selfies. Apparently some people ~~hate~~ don’t like selfies. In fact, their loathing goes beyond the fact that they don’t take them, all the way to the fact that it makes them crazy that other people take selfies. Really? Interesting. But stop! Wait! Let me take a selfie!

Then last night as I was driving home from the CHI, a couple radio personalities were discussing the most “hated” selfies. Apparently there is a list, compiled by a gossip magazine. What’s at the top of the list? The post gym selfie! And if you could see my newfeed from my TTF Facebook page or even my personal newsfeed, it’s overrun with gym/running/workout selfies. I may in fact be guilty of tossing a selfie ~~or 10~~ up, just last month! But stop! Wait! Let me take a selfie!

I find it interesting that something so harmless can get people so riled up. Apparently the selfie is considered something of arrogance. Some people think the selfie is about boasting. I saw a post on FB a couple days ago about how shocking it was that a person was able to actually get & stay in shape without documenting the process via photos on FB. Shocking. But stop! Wait! Let me take a selfie!

Others think the selfie can be dangerous to others! No idea why. But stop! Wait! Let me take a selfie!

On a more serious note, my friends aren’t taking selfies of themselves in bikinis, or when they are sick, or when they are drunk. They take/post selfies when they are out and about. To show their friends a cool trail they are running. To motivate the reader who may hate to run in the rain ~~or snow, or sleet, or cold, or heat~~. To let their mom know that they are at mile 20 of the marathon that they have trained for all summer and that they are still alive. To send to the kids who want to know “if they are done running yet”. To be accountable for their training. To thank a sponsor or vendor who has helped them along the way. To inspire. To share. To be social. To document experiences. And if that’s wrong. Or bad. Or upsets people …. then I would suggest that person ….. Stop! And go take a selfie! It’s actually kinda fun!