#Strongisthenewskinny, #fitnotthin: Are photos of celebrities working out inspiring or dangerous?

CAN photos of a model working out send a positive message about body image? Some say they’re inspiring. Others say they’re dangerous.

CAN photos of a model working up a sweat really create a positive message about body image?

Every day on Instagram I see photos of famous Aussie women busting their guts on an early morning beach run, shots of their well-balanced meals and sweaty gym selfies.

Celebs such as David Jones ambassador Jessica Gomes and model Robyn Lawley frequently share details of their health and fitness regimes with their huge social media followings. Some even have their own hashtags — #gomesfit and #robynlawleyeats.

These women aren’t pretending their exceptional good looks are all because of ‘good genes’ or ‘drinking lots of water’.

They work bloody hard to be fit, healthy and in tip-top physical shape. They’re completely open and honest about it.

For some, it’s part of their job description. For others, they’re simply passionate about health and fitness and want to share their tips, triumphs and struggles with their fans.

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But for every commenter gushing, “Thanks for the amazing tips”, there’s another voice arguing that these images are still promoting unrealistic and negative body image messages.

CEO of The Butterfly Foundation, an organisation helping those with body image disorders, Christine Morgan, says there’s an “inherent tension” with this issue.

“The good bit is that it’s being grounded in reality,” she told news.com.au. “These women are saying ‘we’re not all genetically blessed, we work hard’.

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Popular Instagram hashtags such as #strongisthenewskinny and #fitnotthin are moving the focus from simply being thinner, to being fit and healthy.

Women are now posting photos of their biceps and abs, not their cleavages and ‘thigh gaps’.

Ms Morgan says this is a move in the right direction.

“Because it’s talking about health, as distinct from an artificial body shape,” she said.

“But it’s still an issue where a role model is saying, ‘It’s OK to aim for an ideal body and look how extreme you’ve got to go in order to get it.’

“When you’re someone that has an incredible influence, you have young people that are going to model their behaviour off yours.”

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Instagram follower and PR consultant Katie Adema, 22, agrees with Ms Morgan’s sentiment. “It just drives every girl’s belief that their body needs to be improved in some way,” she told news.com.au. “That you could always be fitter, skinnier, more muscular, which can end in dangerous territory.

“These people have jobs in fitness so of course they look like that. For people with normal jobs it isn’t really possible unless you border on obsessive eating and exercise.”

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But Sydneysider Sarah Campbell, 27, says she doesn’t have a problem with celebrities and everyday people posting fit selfies on Instagram.

“I follow @tashoakley, one half of @abikiniaday, because she’s the ultimate role model,” she says. “She’s living her dream, constantly in a bikini, showing her followers that she is fit and healthy – not stick thin – which I think is great for young girls to aspire to.”

Former Miss Universe Australia and Myer ambassador Laura Dundovic regularly shares photos of herself working out or at fitness events such as the Nike She Runs 10k run.

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“I share lots of different things from my life, what I’m doing day-to-day, whether it’s something with work, or if it’s hanging out with friends or family,” she told news.com.au.

“I don’t really have a strict training regime. I just enjoy exercise, I always have. I feel better when I’m active. I like fitness and I don’t diet.”

So how does she respond to those who say that seeing photos of a beautiful model constantly working out sends a negative body image message?

“Obviously it depends on the images that you’re talking about,” she said. “I think working out is always going to benefit anyone, no matter what your body looks like.

“It’s not like you’re going to work out and get the same body [as someone you see on Instagram]. But it’s still going to benefit you nonetheless.”

Ms Morgan says it really comes down to the individual viewing the images and their attitudes towards their body.

“The negative part is where people say, ‘I want to be super skinny. I want to be super glamorous’, as opposed to ‘This is what I do to maintain my health and wellbeing, having the self-discipline to go out and exercise.’”

And it still means women are relying on their looks to provide self-worth,” she said.

“Are they developing their strong muscles in order to improve their health or are they doing it in order to improve their looks? That’s the bit that needs unpacking — Am I doing this to look better or am I doing this to feel better?”

What do you think? Join the conversation @newscomauhq | @beck_sullivan