Dying to be thin – the things that shock me on instagram

If you went through the list of people I’m following on instagram you would see there are quite a lot of fitness pages (not surprising). Most posts are of fit looking girls, healthy ones that love eating clean and working out which I love to see and it keeps me motivated. But then there are some photos that are posted and it practically glorifies being incredibly skinny, having ribs on show and promoting that a thigh gap is the epitome of ‘fit’.

A quick search of #thinspiration and it’s filled with emaciated girls praising thinness and starvation. I found one post that literally said ‘’WAKING UP THINNER IS WORTH GOING TO BED HUNGRY’’.  It’s no wonder that there are millions of girls with eating disorders just dying to be thin. I constantly see photos of girls with the desired thigh gap and endless comments along the lines of ‘I’m a 13 year old girl, I am dieting and going to the gym everyday and I can’t get the thigh gap. PLEASE tell me how to get a thigh gap!!’ or ‘I wish I could look like you, you’re so skinny’.

People are vulnerable, especially those who are young, depressed about their weight or feel they just aren’t good enough. When did society make it ok to start generating a ‘’how to get a thigh gap ebook’’ and spreading word that you just aren’t good enough unless you have that bikini body?  
It’s promoted that in this life, being thin is the pinnacle of success. Being incredibly skinny does not make you healthy!

Shouldn’t healthy be defined by healthy eating, regular exercise, enjoying life, enjoying food in moderation and in general feeling and looking better?