“fitness motivation” into your Instagram search box, and you’ll likely find a plethora of glistening six-packs and flexed biceps.
With health goals of your own, you may click on a profile, hit follow, and resolve to do “whatever they did” in hopes of similar results — which can often mean buying a diet and exercise program or maybe a new supplement they are advertising.
But before shelling out any cash, experts say to steer clear from any decisions based on photos or customer testimonials alone.
Many online content creators share weight loss tips and other health advice, but you should largely take this information “with a grain of salt,” says Deborah R. Glasofer, PhD, an associate professor of clinical medical psychology in psychiatry at the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders.
Instead, take time to research the person and find out if they are an expert in the type of health content they are sharing.
“As a clinician and scientist, I would ask, ‘What is their data?’ ‘What proof do they have that what they are recommending to people is useful?’” says Glasofer. “Have a sense of what this person’s credentials are and [ask yourself]: ‘Is this someone who I think is in a position to offer me advice that’s based on real data, not solely personal experience?’”
For exercise programs, you should ideally seek out information from those who have experience in the fitness industry — particularly those who train clients, says Aaron Ferguson, personal trainer to actor Will Smith.
