Gym girls

[youcanthandlethetruth]

Two of my friends have taken to posting gym selfies.

One has not long had her baby and hit the gym hard, which I applaud. She has taken her wellbeing seriously but I can’t help but think she doesn’t need to post pictures on social media. It’s like a stealth brag. Particularly showing off images of her stomach and she’s wearing a full face of makeup whilst in gym gear.

Another friend has became gym obsessed in the last year. Again I think lockdown might have been a big catalyst but she constantly posts on Facebook about fitness. Constant selfies in the gym. Constant posts about calories, what she’s eaten etc. It’s becoming tedious.

I don’t want to have to unfriend them online. The selfie culture and what I feel is stealth bragging has just became annoying now. Yes, I get that you’re looking well. I recognise you are taking positive steps to maintain your health and well-being but please can you stop posting about your amazing body.

And no I’m not jealous, I’m a size 8 myself. I just hate people who feel the need to show off. Tell me I’m not the only one

I don't get the 'accountability' thing. I track my workouts via strava or my fitness band - gives me clear list of days when I've not met my targets.

Posting a photo to your general social media for accountability is a bit odd to me. Are your friends meant to notice your photo (or lack of one) and comment to motivate you?

@boomshakey

I don't get the joke, sorry

Course you don't!

Nope, I don't. You can explain it if it actually adds to the discussion, or if the answer makes a difference.

@kittykarate

I don't get the 'accountability' thing. I track my workouts via strava or my fitness band - gives me clear list of days when I've not met my targets.

Posting a photo to your general social media for accountability is a bit odd to me. Are your friends meant to notice your photo (or lack of one) and comment to motivate you?

I agree about the public social media thing but I do find it much easier to be accountable to another person than myself. That doesn’t need to be available for all to see though.

@kittykarate

I don't get the 'accountability' thing. I track my workouts via strava or my fitness band - gives me clear list of days when I've not met my targets.

Posting a photo to your general social media for accountability is a bit odd to me. Are your friends meant to notice your photo (or lack of one) and comment to motivate you?

Yes, if they want to, or they can scroll on. It's not a difficult concept.

I’m with you. It’s vain and annoying!

I don't post selfies as I'm not all that big on social media but ..... I'm going on stage next year and the professional photos from the competition will be all over the firm's newsletter.

I'll readily admit to being vain. And annoying. You should see the work I have to put in though.

I would unfollow them not unfriend them.
Yes it is annoying to see the same person post a selfie every bloody day!

It's clearly keeping them happy and giving them validation they might need so just ignore it. If anything it's a bit sad.

I used to use social media a lot, then had a moment where I was taking a picture of my hot chocolate in a cafe. I just stopped and thought, what the actual f* am I doing deleted my account there and then.

You can explain it if it actually adds to the discussion, or if the answer makes a difference.

I wasn't awaiting your permission but nothing more needs to be said.

Different people are proud of different things, theres nothing wrong with feeling proud, nor do you have to keep things you’re proud of a secret.

If you choose to follow someone on SM, you are choosing to view their content.

I had my third virtual crochet lesson on Tuesday, originally my first was a knitting lesson but I was making zero progress, so on Tuesday night I posted a picture of my first awful knitting attempt and my first completed granny square. I’m learning so I can make something for my cousins baby. I was really chuffed I had managed to do it and now I have six and they’re getting much neater with better tension. If someone doesn’t like my granny square photo thats fine, I don’t particularly care.

I don't like that stuff either hence why I don't use social media. It took a while but I managed to wean myself off it. It had become a habit more than anything else.

Isn't that just social media, though? Showing off? I can't stand it and never post anything (I am only on it because I have to be for work) but I agree that it all seems very "me, me, me".

I go cycling with a friend every week. And every week she puts photos up of what is a very non-exciting bike ride in usually bad weather on a boring moor. I always think - who the fuck cares?

@boomshakey

You can explain it if it actually adds to the discussion, or if the answer makes a difference.

I wasn't awaiting your permission but nothing more needs to be said.

In which case, we will all be glad for you to say it!

This is what I look like when I’m fresh out of the gym! If they’re posting full make up faces, they’re not really pushing themselves! A workout is hard, it’s not a photo opportunity.

Just ignore them. They’re after likes. It’s not obligatory to like, comment or follow them.

@DryRoastPeanut

This is what I look like when I’m fresh out of the gym! If they’re posting full make up faces, they’re not really pushing themselves! A workout is hard, it’s not a photo opportunity.

Just ignore them. They’re after likes. It’s not obligatory to like, comment or follow them.

You look better than I do in the same situation. You appear to be upright, for a start.

You may not be posting selfies OP, but you have started a thread to invite people to sneer at their vanity, in contrast to your own fabulous indifference to others opinions.

So it's looking pretty even from my point of view.

YABU, why can't she post selfie's of herself if she wants to. Just mute her if it's such a problem.

@thecatsthecats

You may not be posting selfies OP, but you have started a thread to invite people to sneer at their vanity, in contrast to your own fabulous indifference to others opinions.

So it's looking pretty even from my point of view.

Well put.

I just mute people if I find their posts boring.

SM is the devil's work. I still follow it though! I am nosey!

Gym selfies are a bit yawn....will post one of my red sweaty face next time I’m there.

I think YABU. I post gym selfies from time to time and it has nothing to do with vanity. I once saw a full length photo of myself that resulted in a downward spiral into bulimia. I've since recovered and joining a gym has been part of that. I take a photo and instead of wanting to restrict my eating to 500 calories a day and throw up if I eat anything considered naughty, I am able to look at my body and be proud of it and more than that - I'm willing to share my pride with others instead of hiding my figure under baggy clothing to hide my ED.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments and sharing it with friends.

I'm costantly baffed by people who get so het up about what other people choose to post online. Even if they are just "after likes" then so what? How does it affect you in any way?

Anyone who cares so much about what other people post online isn't that happy in themselves to be quite honest. You wouldn't be so bothered if you were.

@Baycob

I’m with you. It’s vain and annoying! Mute their social media! In the future people will be mortified at being such exhibitionists!

It's true, even in a year or so they'll probably cringe at themselves. Karma!

*I just feel like all we see now is people taking pictures of themselves on every opportunity, speaking about how they feel, what they did, why they did it, where they are, what they achieved, where they went.

What ever happened to doing something because you wanted to or just enjoy it.*

They are doing something they enjoy, and they are taking pictures of themselves doing it because they are proud of themselves. Good on them!

Karma!

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

The odd post here and there, fine.

Constant posts like that, no! Which is why I don’t go on social media.

You say you're not jealous, but your original post does come across as though you are.

Your friends are entitled to post whatever they want on THEIR social media accounts.

They are obviously proud of themselves and are embracing their new found love of the gym and they want to share that with their friends. There's nothing wrong with that. It often attracts conversations with like-minded friends on tip/ideas/suggestions on things to try at the gym.

Perhaps your friends had/have low self-esteem and this is helping them to boost their self-confidence?

If you don't want to see what they are posting, either keep scrolling or unfollow/unfriend. I believe on Facebook you can "take a break" from someone without having to unfriend them. It means you'll remain friends but you won't see any of their posts. They will be unaware.