I’ve had a completely random topic on my mind lately and need to discuss. GOOD THING I HAVE A BLOG.
This is also a place for me to post random photos that I send to friends when I’m bored. Doesn’t it look like part of my head is cut off? HAHA
Do you like when people post about their workouts on social media?
I know some people are all “ughhh I HATE seeing others post about their workouts and I don’t wanna see your yoga poses or your Garmin photos and I don’t care how sweaty you are just STFU and stop talking about it”. And then they make a joke about wine and yoga pants and the couch which feels (to me) a little like shaming the other person. I mean, I make that yoga pants and wine joke all the time but only to show I’m really good at recovery. #smartrunner
The jokes usually come in the form of a Someecards.com graphic, which (some) are totally funny but sometimes feel malicious:
I am not impressed.
YOU CAN DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.
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I’m actually not opposed to that.
For me, social media is about conversation. That’s why it’s great. So why the big deal about sharing these moments too? I know people are probably just trying to be funny and maybe I’m just reading too much into it, but certain comments get to me. Sometimes I even avoid telling someone in conversation that I went on a run that day because I think they’ll say something like “oh I hate running, why do you run, I’d much rather eat cake LOLOLOL” and I just don’t want to deal with that. (And DUH. That’s certainly more enjoyable in the moment.) Also related, I’ve noticed most people don’t consider “I have a run planned” as a worthy-enough excuse to not meet up for drinks/dinner/whatever.
Here’s a series of gifs to explain how I feel:
Oh you don’t care?
Well SORRY to BOTHER you.
I just really like running, okay?!
Whatever. Forget it.
This gif just makes me laugh uncontrollably and I don’t know why.
ANYWAY. Enough gifs.
I love reading about workouts. I devour health and fitness blogs. Seeing other people out there getting it done motivates me so much…especially people who are chasing a specific goal or PR. When I’m not feeling a long run I’ll scroll through Instagram or Twitter (especially on a Saturday morning) to read about my friends’ workouts. It’s the reason I started this blog…to share the things that inspire me in hopes it lights a flame in others to find and do what inspires them. Seeing people try new things and sharing their ups and downs and finding what they’re passionate about instills so much positivity in me, and in turn makes ME want to live my best life. As I’m sure you know, that feels pretty damn good. And I want everyone to feel that way. But still…I often find myself deleting Twitter drafts before I post them because I don’t know what the general consensus is. Does it matter? Should I post whatever I want? Should I be thinking this hard about it?
source
What do you think? Are you a fan of Garmin photos, yoga poses, etc, or do you hate them?
ALSO…for the month of January, my friend, Nutrition Coach Marissa Vicario of Marissa’s Well-being and Health is giving away herReal Food Reboot, a 5-day whole foods based detox, for free! I credit her with overhauling my whole diet (for the better!) and couldn’t be happier I worked with her.
I ❤️ your blogs, I love work out posts, I love all your pics!! I giggle when I see you run and can drink a beer ( can’t remember which pic but there was once) I would vomit!
Haha post-race beers are my favorite thing. Amazingly a lot of bigger races have them!
Thanks so much for the kind words, sweet friend!
I love everything you post! Always. Well, except the glorious beach pictures. But that’s just because I’m jealous. I actually love pictures of the beach and ocean so keep posting them. And post your Garmin, yoga poses, and everything your heart desires. Screw everyone who doesn’t find you to be the most inspiring person ever! I DO! Love you!
Haha well I’m jealous of your NYC pictures!
Thank you so much for this comment. As it turns out, I find YOU incredibly inspiring. Love you tons! xo
I totally know the feeling– in college I was super quiet about turning down plans for workouts or the fact that I woke up before class to work out, it felt like I was trying to brag. Even now if I person doesn’t really know me, the fact that I used to work as a personal trainer and keep a fitness blog I’m usually pretty quiet about my fitness habits so it doesn’t come off brag-y.
I know for me it’s become sort of assumed and I’m no longer ashamed– when I go to brunch with my parents over the weekend they ask what I did for my workout, working in fitness means my friends know that I workout most days of the week. They also come to me for advice, favorite classes, gear recommendations, etc.
I say keep on keeping on, you never know who you are secretly motivating and those rolling their eyes are often times “jealous” of self motivation.
Ahhh we’re the same! Everything you said I totally agree with. I think that’s it for me, too…it almost feels like bragging sometimes. I still don’t really tell people about my blog but a lot of them have found it on their own through social media. Still, my good friends have started asking about workouts now and I love it…they’re always wondering if I’m training for anything and if I know of any good new workouts, which is so great! I really like sharing that stuff. Thanks so much for the comment!
I fully agree with you! Keep doing what you love, sharing what you love and know that the haters are going to just keep on hatin because that’s what they love to do. Sad but true!
If someone doesn’t like what I post on Facebook, that’s what the Hide button is for. People post plenty of things I don’t like… overly religious posts, politics, etc… they can post what they want.
Chances are if they are really a friend in real life, they won’t be surprised that I posted something about my workout. If it’s that big of a deal to them and affects their day that much, maybe they shouldn’t follow me on social media because really… it’s just social media :).
SO TRUE! People post tons of different content- that’s what social media is all about – so I might as well post what I want, especially since it really is a positive thing. I’m feeling better and better about it now
Thanks so much, Amy!!
I like them but I don’t post them. I haven’t reached the point in blogging (and maybe I never will) where I have separate social media for my blog and for my “real life”. So I don’t want to bombard everyone with just running all the time. But there are people who I follow on Instagram who I only follow because I read their blogs. Of course I want to see their exercise/running photos! That’s why I’m following them!
Great point! I don’t have separate social media accounts for my blog either, but I guess if my focus in my profiles is fitness-related, then I may as well post that kind of stuff. I’m the same way as you about Instagram for sure; if I’m going to follow a random fitness-focused person or blogger, I’ll scroll through their photos first to make sure they are fitness-y. If I don’t know them in real life, I don’t necessarily want to see pictures of their family and friends! (Which sounds mean, but you know what I mean, haha). Thanks so much for the comment
Interesting! Before I started a blog/Twitter I thought why does anyone want to know what I am doing all the time?!! All I do is work out. Then I got a blog/Twitter and I guess that is what it is for. To share what you do…I think that it is a motivation thing too. I post a lot more on my blog then I do on Twitter. I don’t care my phone around like most people. I forget it at home or it is in my bag. By the time I actually have it in my hands the thought is over!! I don’t know maybe it is just a preference thing too?!
I used to think that about Twitter. I didn’t join for awhile because I was like, well, WHY would I want to talk about random stuff with friends when I can just text them? But now I definitely see the power of it
I’m so glad you started a blog because you’ve inspired me so much! I love reading about all your adventures!
Heck yes – keep postin’ ’em! It’s great to see friends progress in their fitness journey, and being able to like or comment on photos is my way of cheering them on. Plus, most, if not all, of my fitness friends accompany their training with something much greater than themselves. Currently, almost all of my running friends are training for an upcoming race while raising funds for a worthy cause. That definitely is something to brag about.
If people can post photos and ‘brag’ about their binge drinking, shopping, or other activities, we certainly can post about running.
I love that – cheering them on via comment! So great and so true. It’s very uplifting when people leave positive comments (and leaving them for my friends makes me happy too!) It only encourages me to do more and be better. I guess I just need to learn to ignore the negative ones!
Same with reading about people training for a worthy cause. I’m always thrilled to see those posts. I think we all could use a dose of inspiration like that
As USUALLLLLL I love your posts! I really think we’re the same person sometimes. You are such an inspiration to me and although I’m super jealous of your beach life, I love seeing everything you share. Keep it up lady!
WE ARE THE SAME!! Thank you so much for the kind words. You truly inspire me too and I wish we could still run together. My last half marathon wasn’t the same without you!
I love seeing your CrossFit posts and reading your thoughtful reflections about running – especially your most recent post about taking a break when needed. I’ve definitely felt that in the past and a little “reset” totally worked
xoxo
I feel like if I don’t tweet about my workouts, which 99.9% of the time I do not, it’s like they didn’t really happen. Like I have to prove to the universe that I am not sedentary all time and that I sometimes (usually) eat vegetables.
I guess that’s reverse shaming?
Either way, I love your posts and think you are super inspiring, so keep it all coming, friend!
Oh and p.s. a planned run is a super legit reason NOT to make after-work plans. I used to get soooo much shit from my coworkers about that and/or I still do, even though I haven’t run in a year and a half, and I now live in Chicago. Ha!
I think so too! But I never tell people that’s my plan. I totally should start doing that because I 100% agree it’s valid. If they don’t like it…too bad. Haha. Anyway I’m going to email you, I want an update on your life in general
HAHAHA this made me laugh. I feel the same way sometimes. Like, I have to announce it or people might think I’m just being lazy. Thank you so much for the kind words – if I can inspire anyone just a little bit, that’s all I can ask for!
I LOVE seeing people’s social media posts about their workouts. They are extremely motivating especially when I’m laying in bed at 5am deciding if I want to get up and workout or go back to sleep for an hour.
I also loving sharing my posts because it keeps me accountable both to those who “follow” me and myself.
I’ve had people tell me I’m “obsessed with running” or that I’m “crazy” for getting up so early to workout and other negative comments and I try not to let it bug me. I choose to workout, and share my workouts, because it makes me happy
YES! I feel like you totally GET me, haha.
When I want to work out early I’ll do the exact same thing…just lay in bed and scroll through Twitter to see everyone out there getting after it. Makes me feel lazy and therefore more motivated, haha. Same with the accountability thing. I often think of my blog readers when I’m doing a harder workout and I’m like, well, if I’m going to share the details on this run I really should put more effort into it, haha.
I hate the “crazy” and “obsessed” comments. I like to think of it as “dedicated” instead
And plus I’m definitely good at balance!