Are you getting sound health advice?

For the people who have recently started their health and fitness journey and for those who struggle to stay on track - it can be hard to know what to do and how to progress. Here are some things to consider to ensure you’re receiving sound advice.

1. Qualified professional vs. attractive person

More than 3.8 billion people use social media. There are multi-millions of accounts dedicated to fitness, with more than 180 million posts just on Instagram that hashtag #fitness. But are this many people qualified to share advice about health and fitness? Even if someone looks amazing, they may have not undergone the necessary education in exercise science or nutrition to be able to provide accurate information. Be able to recognize the distinction between someone looking attractive and fit, versus them being an educated professional.

2. Inspiration vs. intimidation

Social media can be a source of inspiration. But it can also be a source of intimidation, comparison and bad habits. A study published in 2018 by BMC Public Health recruited participants who engage in ‘fitspiration’ content and asked them to complete an online survey to outline their psychological distress and their eating and exercise behaviors. The researchers found that ‘fitspiration’ content was statistically associated with a higher risk for eating disorders (17.7%), psychological distress (17.4%) and addictive exercise behaviors (10.3%). So ask yourself - are you getting inspirational advice online? Or are you harming your mental health and picking up bad habits?

3. Personal vs universal

There are a few things that are universally accurate: regular activity is good for you, junk food is nutrient poor, sleep is important. The rest is more case dependent. For example, women with PCOS need to be on a specific diet to function. Health advice should be more tailored if you want optimal results, and so meeting with a professional health coach is essential. A red flag should appear in your head if you see people recommending universal diet plans!

4. Science vs. anecdote

This one is massive! Many people share health advice based on what worked for them - “I felt amazing on a vegan diet!”, “I lost weight so easily on keto!” etc. Often, the advice shared is rooted - or even supported - in valid scientific research. It is based on a personal experience. Seek fitness advice that is well backed by science, to ensure it is the real deal.

As you can see, social media can be a detrimental source of health advice. If you want to progress successfully in your health journey, seek advice from a professional. Reach out to me! I’d love to hear from you.