Social Media has always had bad press for the standards online influences have set; however, HHS senior Jessica Scaffidi has locked in her goal and is ready to turn that around immediately.
Scaffidi’s platform has many variations from tips when working out to healthy, enjoyable recipes to enjoy. Her main goal is to promote not only looking healthy but being healthy.
“I use my platform in a positive way by teaching others how to have a realistic, healthy lifestyle,” she said. “We are all human and everyone should enjoy treating themselves to delicious foods while also staying active.”
Something an athlete really needs to start lifting is influences who support and give confidence — but also help with nutrition. For senior Claire Wood, when she first saw Scaffidi’s page, she noticed how much Scaffidi cares about nutrition for other people.
“Jess’ page has helped [me] in confidence because it is empowering to see women get involved in lifting, exercise and nutrition,” she said.
For people who just started lifting, they might feel ashamed to start working out at a certain age. For sophomore Blake LaChance, when she stumbled across Scaffidi’s Instagram, she realized something different.
“It showed me that I can lift no matter where I start from,” she said.
Something that goes hand-in-hand with the negativity circulating on fitness accounts is the effect it has on the young mind. Many body image issues stem from online presences that show unrealistic expectations.
“This is because social media isn’t always real and it creates unrealistic images of how you’re ‘supposed’ to look” Scaffidi said. “I feel like this can cause poor body image issues and even body dysmorphia.”
People can easily be deceived by what is put on social media; not everything portrayed on these platforms are actuality.
“When you only see the highlights of everyone’s life, it can make you feel unworthy,” Scaffidi said.
Combatting the negativity that comes along with social media is one of Scaffidi’s goals; she believes that it can actually be beneficial to others mental health. She wants to demonstrate to students how people can live a healthy lifestyle successfully without making it feel like a chore.
“My message is to make everyone feel like they are capable of maintaining a healthy life in high school, while also enjoying themselves,” she said. “Being physically active is also great for everyone’s mental health due to all of the endorphins being released.”
When women lift, sometimes they feel out of place or awkward.
“When I view Scaffidi’s account, I feel encouraged and inspired to be supportive of others, as well as being inspired to work out and take care of my own body,” Wood said.
A significant part of health and social media is having good morals and principles. All in all, maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s body will always take priority over relationships with social media.
“Do it for fun and to help others,” Scaffidi said. “I think it’s important for everyone to feel good about themselves, whether or not people notice.”