Is Your Smart-phone Making You Fat?
Are you the kind of person who shares fitness goals on social media in the hope it will help you shed the kilos? Well, recent research suggests Twitter doesn’t get you fitter, with sharing actually leading to fewer people setting goals in case they don’t reach them! And that’s not the only way social media can affect your waistline….
Phone it in
It’s all too tempting: a Facebook check-in when you’re at the gym, a quick snap of your treadmill dashboard stats, or Instagramming an activewear selfie. While it’s proof you’re exercising, it’s also a big distraction. Leave your phone in your locker and use your workout time effectively.
No time to lose
No surprises here – research shows that the more time you spend on social media, the less time you spend being physically active. One study found that, while lack of time is the main reason to miss breakfast, 53 per cent of regular skippers still find time to check social media.
Food for thought
Until recently, who would have thought of making a Nutella doughnut, let along putting it on top of a milkshake? Thanks to social media, it’s become a must-try treat. One thing sure to get pic likes is delicious food, which has experts warning about the dangers of turning food from nourishment to novelty.
#MINDLESSEATING
We know that snacking while watching TV can lead to mindless eating – and the same is true of mealtime social media checks. A US report found 44 per cent of young adults checked their phone while eating at a restaurant, taking the focus off the food and onto their phones.
