While you might just be rolling out your New Year’s Resolutions for 2021, allow me to paint a picture about six months in the future. Imagine it’s June 2021.

You did it. You met your goal weight. After months of counting calories or macros or limiting certain food groups and exercising religiously, you have arrived at you “ideal weight.”

So you post them. Your before and after pictures. And you tell the world about your weight loss victory.

You might be watching the likes and comments roll in, feeling fantastic as others celebrate your “success,” but the damage rippling out from your post reaches farther than you might think.

three reasons you should stop posting about weight loss on social media:

I mean it. Please stop.

1. Posting about weight loss reinforces the idea that thinner=better.

Think about the number of posts you’ve seen in the past year positively portraying weight loss. Now count how many posts you’ve seen that positively portray weight gain.

I would guess that number is close to zero.

Why? Our society is fixated on the idea that thinner is better. It isn’t. Bodies can be medically healthy (blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol levels, strength, etc.) at a wide variety of sizes.

But the more you or your cousin or your co-worker post about your weight loss victory or your weight loss plan, the more ingrained this thinner=better idea becomes.

If weight loss is the goal worth sharing about on social media, thinness is the pursuit being highlighted. Thinness is the idol, and we are told to believe that the best version of ourself is one that weighs less than it does now.

I dare you to look that in the face. Do you believe that thinner=better? If so, why? Is your goal to be thin? Or is your goal to be healthy?

2. Weight loss posts focus on the scale, not on health.

This one is simple really. When you set a weight loss goal and share it through social media, you’re hoping to attain (or have already attained) a specific number on the scale.

The aim of these weight goals is not for your body to be healthy, but rather to achieve a specific numerical value indicating the force that gravity is exerting on your physical being.

How on earth did we become so fixated on that number? It’s almost laughable. Weight is not a perfect or even necessarily a good indicator of health. And dieting doesn’t work (source paragraph nine).

Instead of fixating on weight, we should be focusing on giving our bodies nutrients, adding joyful movement (a.k.a. exercise that you enjoy) to our days, and taking a mentally balanced view of food.

Our pursuit should simply be to take care of our bodies, to the glory of God. We can do that and never look at a scale again.

3. Posting about weight loss places value in body image.

Weight loss is celebrated on social media.

When someone shares about achieving their weight loss goal, they are highly praised. They receive overt compliments about their body. I’ve watched the comments roll in.

“You look great"!”
“Congratulations on all that weight loss!”
“So beautiful!”
“You’re so fit!”

All of a sudden, that person is valued more highly because their body has changed. Subconsciously, they latch on to the idea that a lesser weight has earned them that praise. And their value is now linked to their body image. Their measure as a person is now based on what they look like.

Imagine the shame that would follow if they later gained weight.

I have felt that shame. I have been (wrongfully) fearful to post pictures of myself with my family on social media because I know that people are looking. And I know that they praise weight loss. I’ve gained weight. What will they think of me?

[3.5] that weight loss post is damaging

Spreading the idea the thinner=better through weight loss posts is outright damaging. Sorry (not sorry) to be so blunt. Think about your friends who have struggled with cycles of weight loss/gain and the emotional toll that takes. Think about your friends who, because of your post, now feel pressure to lose weight so they can get the same praise that you’re receiving. Think about the friend who has struggled with an eating disorder for years, and now has your weight loss post fueling the fire of lies about what their body “should” be.

Please stop posting about weight loss.

The solution is simple: find identity in Christ, not body image.

I’m working to trust that my identity is found in Jesus, and not in what people think of me on social media. When we find our value as children of God, there is no longer that fear of what others see.

As I strive for healthfulness, simply taking good care of my body to God’s glory, I am trying to ignore all of the weight loss noise in the world. I will fix my eyes on Christ, and seek first His kingdom, instead of worldly standards (Matthew 6:30-33).

And yes, keep pursuing health.

post about it too, if you want.

Here are a few things that you might consider posting about (and pursuing) in relation to health—that have nothing to do with weight and weight loss:

Your fav new recipe that gives your body energy and strength
A new joyful movement routine that has been giving you an amazing boost
Taking steps to de-stress like quality family time, reading, getting good sleep, journaling, etc.
Confidence that you’re finding in Christ, not in your appearance or size

3 reasons to STOP posting about weight loss on social media