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10 of the most dramatic fitness Instagram "relaxed vs. posed" snaps

10 of the most dramatic fitness Instagram "relaxed vs. posed" snaps

Instagram can be a phenomenal resource for health and fitness inspiration. It can also, however, be tinged with toxic, underhandedly negative messaging. It’s especially crucial to understand that a lot of the photos we see on the popular social media platform can easily be manipulated to show “ideal” results.

Which is exactly why it’s so damn refreshing to see fitness stars show side-by-side snapshots that shed light on the reality of posed photos.

You’ve probably seen “relaxed vs. posed” pics before and didn’t even realize it. Basically, these are candid side-by-side shots taken moments apart that reveal how good angles, proper lighting and the right posture (and lack of a food baby) can seriously change a person’s appearance. And it’s amazing to see these posts gain popularity.

Because not only are they truthful, but they also promote what really matters here: Not a Photoshop-perfect body, but a happy *and* healthy body, no matter the shape or size.

These are just a few of our favorite fitness Instagrammers who’ve shared some seriously dramatic relaxed vs. posed selfies. And let’s make one thing clear: Each and every one of these humans looks gorgeous in *both* posed and relaxed posture.

1@BodyPosiPanda

2@My_Life_Without_Ana

3@SelfLoveClub

4@annavictoria

5@Fitology_UK

6@SaggySara

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Instagram vs reality 🙆🏼🌿 I just wanted to show that the photo on the right its just me, being unapologetically and naturally me! These photos were taken a while back when I was in Finland in Feb, on the right I'm relaxing my tummy and I hadn't shaved my pits because it was winter, so what's the point of shaving cause nobody would see my armpit hair anyway? 😬 And on the left is me flexing and covering my armpit hair, pretending it didn't exist 😂 I'm guilty of editing out armpit hair in old photos or not posting certain photos because my armpit hair or other body hair is showing in them! Why did I edit them out? Because I didn't want people to comment something like ew she didn't shave lol, gross. But you know what? Fuck it, I don't shave majority of the time, I usually just wear jeans or shirts that cover my armpit hair because most of the time I'm too lazy to shave and I have freakishly sensitive skin, so I get rashes and stuff whenever I do wax or shave. The reason why I'm so triggered by this is because I was stalking @gracefituk and there was one photo of her just being the beautiful majestic being she is and guess what? People commented on her leg hair that was showing in the photo. (Which you could barely see, these people had to zoom in the photo to see that) and it just pissed me off so much. Who has the right to tell another person to shave? I'm sorry but most of those comments started due to people who don't shave their armpits, so why do they have any right to tell someone to do that when they don't? It's 2017. NOBODY NEEDS TO SHAVE THEIR BODY HAIR IF THEY DONT WANT TO!! Nobody should feel ashamed of being bloated or having tummy rolls, cellulite, stretch marks or anything! These are perfectly natural things that happen to people sometimes. You are beautiful with or without these things. I just can't stand people putting down others for natural, normal things. 😔 we shouldn't live our lives to please other people. Live life for you and do what makes you feel happy and comfortable. Sorry for the long rant, I just felt the need to write about this! Anyway, I hope you all have an absolutely lovely day 🌴☀️

A post shared by Sara Puhto (@saggysara) on Mar 9, 2017 at 3:50am PST

7@Fightforgrowth

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💥TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY: a 3 second edition 💥 On the left: I am standing neutrally, as I would in a coffee line up. 😊 ☕️ (☝️My belly is a tad bit shy before lunch, meaning it would have been more dramatized if I destroyed some guacamole and rice prior to taking this photo🤣) On the right: I am in full flex “beast mode” haha! 💪🏼🙊 Welcome to transforming physiques within seconds, aka the world of social media! This used to bug me at first, especially when I started admiring the body of fitness icons in the early stages of my recovery. I only wished someone could have told me the effects angles, photoshop, physique-enhancing supplements, surgery, etc. played a role in the pictures I admired. I set my goals on something I could not achieve, and for that I was disappointed. With time though, I was able to outgrow these modelled beliefs of what “Fitness” looks like, and I started embracing the progress of my personal growth. 🙏🏼 Being a part of the fitness influencing community and knowing the effects distortions had on me is my main incentive to sharing these pictures with you. 💜 I love BOTH of these pictures😊They both are a part of me, they both contain my worth and self love in equal amounts, and they both remind me of all that I am grateful for! On the left, I am reminded that I have gained healthy weight. That I am well fed and well nourished. That I am on limbs that can bare my body tall. That I can stand in line at a coffee shop without pain or concern. 💜🙏🏼 On the right, I am reminded of my physique accomplishments from where I once was (63 lbs) to now. I am reminded about my passions for weight training, and how I learned to push weights, rather than weight push me. I am reminded of my love for nutrition, and how I utilized this love to promote positive results in my mindfulness, fitness, and overall happiness. I am reminded of my brother, who showed me beauty in strength. 💜🙏🏼 In both pictures, I am reminded of my inner strength that is held within no boundaries or physical form. 💜 Remember to love and embrace your body for all that it is, period. 💜 #TransformationTuesday #FightForGrowth #AlwaysBeMoreThanABody

A post shared by Sarah Ramadan 🌻 (@fightforgrowth) on Mar 28, 2017 at 4:14pm PDT

Thank you for this, ladies. The message you’re sending is SO important.