Jodi
While creating an ad post for my site, I wanted to use a photo taken recently by one of my good friends at Tamarindo Family Photos. We used the post, Get Ripped By Training Less and the picture from the post was this one above.
Facebook immediately disapproved and sent this message in response:
Your ad wasn’t approved because it promotes a health product by focusing on an ideal physical body image. Images that show a type of body as being perfect or undesirable (ex: focusing on abs or belly fat) are not accepted.
Fit Shamed By Facebook?
WHAT? SERIOUSLY? Am I too fit to post a picture of my abs?
I’m curious which Facebook employees are the certified “body image inspectors”? Is it their intention to promote only body images that have moderate amounts of body fat? How much body fat does one need to have to post a picture and offer solid nutrition and exercise advice? This is all I was doing. The whole point of the post was to enhance fat-loss by changing your routine from steady-state cardio to a HIIT styled routine. Many men and women, in particular, out there don’t realize that treadmills and steady state cardio are not the ideal way to cut body fat or enhance body composition. In contrast, it actually wreaks havoc on the body’s metabolism and for females, their thyroid T3 hormone, which also inhibits fat loss. Apologies Facebook, I guess my picture is too “ideal” to post.
I’m a Mother of TWO, Not a Model
I’ve read enough posts and angry articles bashing the fitness industry for unhealthy body image trends. I’ve seen complaining about airbrushing and the fakery that is the “model industry”. Instagram is full of girls flashing cleavage and bending over. I don’t entirely disagree though. If you’re going to post a picture showing that someone is in good shape, it better be real, especially if you’re promoting a fitness or nutrition regime. Anything less is unproductive and promotes fantasy body images which in turns encourages unhealthy habits.
I’m an ex-school teacher and school owner, a mother of two young boys, a US Army combat veteran (Iraq 2004-2005), posses a degree in theology, a BA in sociology, a master’s in education and I’m avid fitness, science, and nutrition junkie. I’m pursuing a career in personal fitness training and have obtained the NASM certification among others. Nothing in my pictures is air brushed, squeezed, stretched or slimmed. I’m not a model. (I do happen to have a girlfriend that’s an excellent photographer!) And I haven’t gotten paid for anything other than for training and consultation. I stand by the claim that anyone with a functioning metabolism can get into great shape both aesthetically and functionally by modifying their diet and adding an appropriate workout program.
The “everyone gets a trophy” mentality that is becoming popular is bunk. It’s perfectly fine to set realistic goals and train hard until you achieve them. Trophies have never been easy to get. Just love yourself in the process and don’t let your personal happiness be reliant on tomorrow.
