Shape Magazine asks Dr. Kantor to weigh in and give his opinion about those Instagram transformations….

Dr. Kantor please advise…

Common wisdom from Instagram fitness and diet
influencers/experts is that circumstances are never ideal, so
you might as well start your weight loss now. Usually, this
advice is given alongside transformation photos of women who
started at a healthy weight and ended up a little further down
in the healthy weight range. The argument here is that if you
don’t really see yourself making changes to your diet at the
moment, then maybe “now” isn’t the best time for you attempt
this kind of transformation.

photo – www.healthyceleb.com 

There are so many points to make on the thought process above. If a person is living a balanced healthy lifestyle, and they are already at a healthy weight, then they need to really ask themselves, “Is a transformation necessary, why do I want to transform?” We often want to change our physical appearance rather then addressing our emotional state, which is often the root of being unhealthy or carrying extra pounds.

Social media gives a false portrayal of the “perfect” life, and the marketing behind before and after pictures are also false in some cases, especially if there is a financial gain to the company or individual promoting a transformation. I would encourage those who want to transform to start with an emotional and mindset transformation. Attitude and outlook will give anyone the tools to establish healthy lifestyle habits; behavior modifications for a healthy lifestyle that incorporates a balanced exercise and nutrition plan, resulting in a physical transformation too.

If someone is not seeing results they may have deeper metabolic and emotional issues that are not being addressed. Seeking the professional help of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Fitness professional or a Life Coach will promote an overhaul in mindset and lifestyle within healthy limits. This option is an honest approach to a transformation rather then comparing them to most often misleading marketing of before and after pictures. Successful long-term transformations are both inside and out.