Fitspo Instagram pics making mothers feel bad

“Fitspo” photos of muscled mothers with six-pack abs are making everyday mums feel grumpy rather than glorious, a new study has found.

“Fitspo” photos of muscled mothers with six-pack abs make everyday mums feel grumpy rather than glorious, a new study has found.

Celebrities like social media influencer Tammy Hembrow, “No excuses” mother-of-three Maria Kang and mother-of-six fitness trainer Sharny Kieser embody the “fitspiration” movement which combes fitness and inspiration.

WHY NEW LOOK FOOTY SHOW AND TODAY ARE FAILING

VEGAN CAFE CHARGING ‘MAN TAX’ CLOSES

WOMEN’S STRENGTH CHANGED OUR NATION

Fitspo slogans include “some mums lift more than just their kids” and “a baby is a reason, not an excuse”.

But new research by Ivanka Prichard of Flinders University found such images had a negative effect on mothers’ moods.

Dr Prichard surveyed 173 mothers and found they felt more anxious, depressed, angry and unconfident when exposed to general fitspiration images and fitspiration images aimed specifically at mums.

Instagram fitness model and mum Tammy Hembrow with her kids. Picture: Instagram

Viewing general travel images did not have the same effect.

“Early motherhood is a time when women’s bodies are expected unrealistically to just ‘bounce back’ and new mums might see fitspiration as an avenue to inspire them be more active,” Dr Prichard said.

She found mothers who more generally compared their appearance to other mothers seemed to be more negatively affected by the images.

“Their mood may have been more affected when thinking about their ability to achieve these health and fitness ideals overall,” she said.

mother-of-six fitness trainer Sharny Kieser embody the “fitspiration” movement which combes fitness and inspiration,

“No excuses” mother-of-three Maria Kang.

“There are lots of ways mothers compare themselves to others. This may be due to the large range of pressures placed on mothers to look and act a certain way.”

Altona North mother-of-one and health and wellness coach Justine Switalla, 39, said the fitspiration movement had its pros and cons.

“Women need inspiration and motivation but social media can put a lot of pressure to have a certain type of body,” she said.

“More important is how you feel about yourself.”

Founder of Fit Healthy Mums Justine Switalla says the focus for mum should be learning how to love the skin they’re in. Picture: Sarah Matray.

Ms Switalla, an online fitness trainer at fithealthymums.com, coaches many mothers in 15 years in the fitness industry.

“The focus should be on training, education, nutrition and support. It comes down to learning to love the skin you’re in,” she said.

Dr Prichard will present her research at the Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists Conference in Adelaide, on April 25 and 26.

[e-mail]