Oxygen Australia — January-February 2018

6 Jan/Feb 2018 oxygenmag.com.au

Editor's note

Social media = a big

influence on your

health and fitness

O

kay ladies, can we just take a minute to talk about

social media — from the food blogger whose meals

look more like a piece of art than for consumption

to the girl with all the up-to-date fitness gear or the fit mum

who seems to ‘have it all together’, we can so easily fall into the

comparison trap!

It’s so easy to compare ourselves when we are constantly

being shown images of ‘perfect’ Instagram health and fitness

models, and while it may not be obvious to us at the time, the

endless stream of booty shots, flexed abs and ‘perfect’ food days

could be chipping away at our subconscious and consequently

ending in self-criticism.

Now I don’t want you to misunderstand me here — there are

some amazing women whose social profiles do reflect their lives,

including the ups and the downs, but there are a big handful

who are projecting a reality that is anything but! What they

don’t consider is what’s missing from the picture — realness,

authenticity, honesty, imperfections and who they truly are.

I can’t imagine how exhausting it would be to spend so much

time carefully crafting the perfect image to post that will get me

the most attention. And for what? For some likes, for followers,

for sponsors, for attention, for

a confidence and ego boost?

To have to put on a full face of

makeup, to edit my body, shrink

my waist, and smooth away any

blemishes because, heaven forbid,

someone knows what I really look

like! Is this what we have to do to

have a voice in this industry?

Well, I say ‘no’, and you can

help to change it. You can add

some realness back into this

world.

Post ‘raw’ images, before the

filters, editing apps and blemishes

are smoothed away. Show that

you have cellulite, scars, pimples

and more, because you are human and humans are not perfect.

Post about your exciting things in life but also post about the less

exciting. Share your opinions on things, show you have some

substance and have a voice. Your words are

important too. I know I’m not perfect — you

only have to watch my Instagram story to see

that — but I’m keeping it real for you ladies so

you know you’re not alone in this!

1 Firefly: This convenient

and time-efficient electronic

device can be used to provide

athletes with accelerated

recovery after intense physical

exertion. RRP: $59.95 http://www.

elitesportrecovery.com.au

2 Interval Weight Loss:

Written by Dr Nick Fuller, the

book Interval Weight Loss is not

a diet plan but rather a holistic

lifestyle plan that allows and

encourages an individual to

include and enjoy all foods.

RRP: $32.99 http://www.penguin.com.

au/books/interval-weight-

loss-

3 Body Science

Compression Tights:

Body Science has just released

a new limited edition pink

tight as part of its new V

compression tights range — and

just in time for summer! RRP:

$149.95 (with free 2.2L Whoppa

Drink Bottle Limited Edition)

http://www.bodyscience.com.au/

shop/apparel-accessories/

compression.html

4 Daniel Wellington

watches: Elegant and

distinguished, this ultra-thin

watch rests delicately on the arm

and features a matte black mesh

strap and a sophisticated black

dial. Available with details in rose

gold or silver. RRP: $239 (style:

the Classic Petite Ashfield)

http://www.danielwellington.com/au

5 Sun Bear Sunscreen:

This Australian-made, SPF 50+

sunscreen gives 80 per cent of its

profits to protecting endangered

sun bears. The sunscreen is palm

oil-free, rainforest-derivative-

free, fragrance-free, and free

of oxybenzone-3 (the chemical

found to damage coral reefs),

not tested on animals, produced

using solar power, and has

fully recyclable packaging.

RRP: $34.95 (200ml) http://www.

sunbearsunscreen.com.au

Lindy

Lo ve s

“BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH

TO SEE IN THE WORLD.”

• Mahatma Gandhi