If you've ever been inspired by a fitness campaign only to later abandon it, researchers say you're not alone.
In a new study, 217 graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania enrolled in free exercise classes in its gym, according to Medical Xpress. Part of the participants received promotional messages featuring videos and infographics similar to those of social media campaigns, while other students were placed into social networks with six of their peers, and the last group served as the control.
Medical Xpress reported researchers tracked the progress of the groups in the fitness classes over 13 weeks with one thing being clear: Members of the social networks were more motivated than peers targeted by the campaign.
"Promotional messages caused an initial bump in class attendance, but the motivational effects quickly wore off," according to Medical Xpress. "Program-assigned 'buddies,' on the other hand, were much more effective at motivating people to exercise. As the weeks went by, the motivating effects increased, producing a substantial growth in enrollment levels among people in peer networks."
According to NPR, finding the drive to achieve self-improvement isn't uncommon through social networks, "the weapon in the battle to lose weight."
Citing several studies detailing how sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can help bolster weight loss, NPR said the "social push" from online acquaintances holds people accountable to meet health goals.
Quick support doesn't hurt either.
"Even though you are virtually dispersed, you can sign on to those platforms multiple times a day and talk about your progress, your perceived failures and immediately receive support from friends and other acquaintances who are connected to you," Christopher Wharton, Arizona State University assistant professor, told NPR.
If wanting to primarily use one social network while pursuing better health, which one should people choose?
Instagram helped Kristine Strange beat a long battle with weight gain, according to The Daily Dot.
The Daily Dot reported Strange "lost 60 pounds, gained 80, lost 80, and then gained 100 more" weighing 231 pounds. When committing to work for better health again, Strange took a different approach: She decided to document the experience via Instagram.
With the aid of Instagram supporters, Strange shed pounds, gained 102,000 followers and told The Daily Dot she met her boyfriend through the online weight-loss community.
According to Shape, those ready to document meeting their fitness goals on social media should be good sharers, opt out of comparing themselves to others and be positive.
The last one seems cliche, but it's key.
"The voices in your head control your actions. It may sound super creepy, but it's true," Shape reported. "So use social media to reinforce positive thinking by not only surrounding yourself with upbeat friends, but also posting happy updates of yourself."
Shape's piece read your confidence could help others improve their lives too.
Prevention also advised to keep a viral diary and start an email chain. Email chains, in particular, keep people on track when sticking to their health goals seems difficult.
In a new study, 217 graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania enrolled in free exercise classes in its gym, according to Medical Xpress. Part of the participants received promotional messages featuring videos and infographics similar to those of social media campaigns, while other students were placed into social networks with six of their peers, and the last group served as the control.
Medical Xpress reported researchers tracked the progress of the groups in the fitness classes over 13 weeks with one thing being clear: Members of the social networks were more motivated than peers targeted by the campaign.
"Promotional messages caused an initial bump in class attendance, but the motivational effects quickly wore off," according to Medical Xpress. "Program-assigned 'buddies,' on the other hand, were much more effective at motivating people to exercise. As the weeks went by, the motivating effects increased, producing a substantial growth in enrollment levels among people in peer networks."
According to NPR, finding the drive to achieve self-improvement isn't uncommon through social networks, "the weapon in the battle to lose weight."
Citing several studies detailing how sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can help bolster weight loss, NPR said the "social push" from online acquaintances holds people accountable to meet health goals.
Quick support doesn't hurt either.
"Even though you are virtually dispersed, you can sign on to those platforms multiple times a day and talk about your progress, your perceived failures and immediately receive support from friends and other acquaintances who are connected to you," Christopher Wharton, Arizona State University assistant professor, told NPR.
If wanting to primarily use one social network while pursuing better health, which one should people choose?
Instagram helped Kristine Strange beat a long battle with weight gain, according to The Daily Dot.
The Daily Dot reported Strange "lost 60 pounds, gained 80, lost 80, and then gained 100 more" weighing 231 pounds. When committing to work for better health again, Strange took a different approach: She decided to document the experience via Instagram.
With the aid of Instagram supporters, Strange shed pounds, gained 102,000 followers and told The Daily Dot she met her boyfriend through the online weight-loss community.
According to Shape, those ready to document meeting their fitness goals on social media should be good sharers, opt out of comparing themselves to others and be positive.
The last one seems cliche, but it's key.
"The voices in your head control your actions. It may sound super creepy, but it's true," Shape reported. "So use social media to reinforce positive thinking by not only surrounding yourself with upbeat friends, but also posting happy updates of yourself."
Shape's piece read your confidence could help others improve their lives too.
Prevention also advised to keep a viral diary and start an email chain. Email chains, in particular, keep people on track when sticking to their health goals seems difficult.