Fitness Blogger Posts Dramatic Transformation Showing the Impact of Social Media

Pictures on social media can often be deceiving, as many people only post images portraying themselves in the best light or photos that have been modified with editing apps. Twenty-year-old fitness blogger Carys Gray is working to change that.

Gray recently uploaded an image featuring two selfies side by side. In one she sports a glam makeup look — with not a blemish in sight — while in the other her eczema is clearly visible on her makeup-free face.

In the caption, Gray explained, “We all have good days and we all have bad days. I have a skin condition called eczema, and sometimes my skin is happy as Larry and sometimes it has flare ups.”

She also mentioned a truth about social media that many using the platform fail to grasp. “Social media/Instagram will show the good days. The good parts of people and their lives and that’s ok! That’s what social media is for!” she wrote. “But here’s a reminder that next time you see something on social media that you think is ‘goals’ that it’s not the full story, it’s not how that person will look or be all the time!”

Despite having more than 130,000 followers and receiving hundreds of positive comments on her photos, even Gray has difficulty with her body image sometimes. “I’m still struggling to accept myself on the right, it’s a big insecurity of mine and that’s fine. I’m learning to accept myself knowing that everyone has their own struggles and insecurities and that’s what makes us unique and special,” she finished the caption.

The post was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising the young woman for sharing the makeup-free image and even sharing stories of their own struggles with eczema.

“I have eczema as well. So I know the feels. You are still beautiful! God bless you,” user Jon-Erik commented. “I have eczema too, and it’s the worst. I haven’t been able to wear makeup all month and it’s killing me. I feel like I look like a monster when it flares up. Thank you for sharing. You are beautiful,” another user, Sylvia, wrote.

Grey regularly posts content of her workouts and fitness looks, but she also works to combat body shamers and portray more realistic expectations of women in her photos. In January, she posted an image of two selfies alongside one another. In one she is standing up straight, flexing her abs; in the other she shows off how her stomach looks when she is sitting.

In the caption, she reminded her followers that one’s body is beautiful from each and every angle. “I just wanted to remind you that yes I have a flat stomach in most of my pictures when I’m standing, but please don’t forget that I do have excess fat/skin and that my stomach doesn’t always look flat/toned at all angles/positions! Both me, both strong, both beautiful and both totally acceptable!” she captioned the collage.

Another pair of images posted in January feature the workout enthusiast standing and displaying her stomach after a meal, relaxing it in one versus flexing it in the other.

She loves showing her followers just how different one’s body can look by simply standing or sitting a certain way.

“We just need to step back and realize Instagram is often where people look their best and show off what you got or what you’ve worked for,” she wrote. “It’s not always how people walk around and how they look day to day, so just remember that next time you see someone who you think is ‘perfect’ or ‘goals’ on Instagram! You should appreciate the picture and the person without letting it get you down!”

Gray’s unique body-positive platform is helping hundreds around the world learn about how much social media can influence people’s perception.

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