I’ll admit it: Instagram makes me happy. It’s a little daily habit that brings me joy. For some reason, I never feel like I’m wasting time when I’m on Instagram like I do when I log onto Facebook. On Facebook, I feel like I’m hunting and scrolling to find something that piques my interest, but Instagram is effortless. This form of social media gives me instant gratification and inspiration, and helps keep me motivated and healthy. Here’s how:
1. Cooking Tips and Recipe Ideas. Thanks to Chrissy Teigen’s Instagram account, I now know how to make cauliflower mash. Carrots n Cake taught me how to get my sweet potato wedges juuuust right and Women’s Health mag encourages me to mix up my smoothie recipes with their weekly ingredient spotlights. I even get fun meal ideas taking a peek inside the lunch boxes of Weelicious and 100daysofrealfood.
The short version: Cut sweet potato in half, then cut those halves length-wise, and then one more time so that you get a wedge shape. Toss with a healthy drizzle of EVOO and sea salt; roast in oven at 400 for 40 minutes; broil for the last few minutes, or until preferred crispiness.
2. Keeps Me Accountable. I make far more healthy choices than unhealthy ones so it’s easy to forget how much I actually indulge in my favorite treats. When I’m struggling to make a healthy choice, fight temptation or I’m just flat out feeling sorry for myself (I haven’t had dessert in FOR…EV…ER!), I flip through my Instagram photos and realize…oh yeah…I had a double-chocolate chip ice cream cone just three days ago. This might sound weird, but reflecting on my eats not only keeps me honest, but it almost allows me relive the moment again (OMG those cookies were so good!). A lot of times that’s enough to help me ride out a craving and hold out for a treat it’s really worth it.
3. Fitness Inspiration. When I’m not running outside with my husband, doing speed work on the treadmill, or taking the odd spinning or yoga class, I’m supplementing my workouts with quick strength or HIIT workouts that I get from Instagram. I did this Booty Workout below from Workoutroutine earlier today when my motivation was lacking. It just helps having a series of exercises to follow because you don’t have to put too much thought into it.
Last weekend I did this workout from FhittingRoom: 10 burpee-tuck jumps, 10 pyramid pushups, 10 jumping lunges and 10 mountain climbers for TEN MINUTES. That might not sound so bad, but go ahead and try it and let me know how you feel after. Ouch!
Related: The 10 Fittest People You Aren’t Following on Instagram (Including yours truly @wannabehealthnut!)
3. Slows Down My Eating. I am a super-speedy eater, but when I climb up on a chair to get a photo of my brunch plate or try to capture a bowl of oatmeal at just the right angle, I’m forced to slow down a bit — just enough to make me more mindful of the food I’m shoveling into my mouth!
4. Inspirational Quotes. I came across this quote earlier in the week when I was experiencing a moment of extreme frustration and confusion. It was motivating just enough to keep me going, and I was able to put one foot in front of the other and soldier on.
5. Entertainment. I don’t consider myself a dog person, but Toastmeetsworld — the cutest, toothless King Charles hobo you ever did see — makes me laugh almost daily.
“Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”-Karl Lagerfeld
And this has nothing to do with Instagram, but who couldn’t use a little chuckle on Sunday evening? Oh NYC.
Well, I hope your week is a happy and healthy one — go after it!!!