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The Real Reason Why I Stopped Having Just a Fitness Instagram

For those of you that have been a part of my journey for a while, you know that my IG was originally only fitness content. When I first started my IG, this was my intention. I had created my account for the sole purpose of staying motivated and accountable when it came to living a healthy lifestyle. It was encouraging seeing others consistently working, posting their healthy recipes, and sharing their fitness journey.

I kept my account strictly fitness for almost two years. As time passed though, there were a few things that didn’t resonate well with me. I was still feeling motivated and inspired to lead a healthier life, so obviously that was a positive thing. But, I was also comparing myself to others more than before. I would be comparing why my progress wasn’t “as good” or as quick as someone else’s. I became fairly fixated on what it would take to get abs. I started feeling like I had to maintain a certain body in order for people to want to still follow me. I was stressed about the number of cheat meals I could have per week. Anytime I was invited out somewhere my first thought was, “Okay, so that will be my cheat meal..” I started thinking…this is not the life I want. Yes, I want to feel confident in my own skin but I did not want my life to be dependent on working out every day, only having 1 cheat meal a week, not being able to have wine when I want, feeling like a social hermit because I have to plan being social around my eating schedule.


On top of that, I forgot about all the other things that I truly loved before fitness. Like, I started this blog originally to share my style and beauty tips. This was way before I started my IG. I started to realize that I lost a lot of who I actually was because I became so fixated on fitness and having the “perfect” body in the process. The so-called healthy lifestyle I was living wasn’t actually healthy.

To be super real for a second, I really discovered my biggest pet peeve on social media throughout this process. I had to start unfollowing certain fitness accounts and start incorporating more non-fitness related content into my feed because I felt like I was getting into a negative head space. So back to my biggest pet peeve…I can’t stand when people eat something that isn’t “heathy” and then feel the need to either justify it with #BALANCED or say something along the lines of how they felt super shitty about eating something but then realized that its okay to eat certain foods, and life is all about balance, and then talk about how #balanced they are lol. Sorry, not try to be a hater here BUT it irritates me because no one should have to justify why they aren’t eating something “healthy.”  And how about stop TALKING about balance every day and just practice it? I think by continually talking about it, it gives it power and just adds fuel to the fire. And don’t get me wrong, these types of posts are fine here and there and I think it’s an important message to share sometimes but DO WE HAVE TO SAY IT EVERY SINGLE POST? It’s like the bloating photos and the “real vs. also real” like, WE GET IT. We don’t need to see constantly.



At the end of the day, the real reason it gets to me is because in the past I was EXACTLY like that. I fell into the mindset and pattern of feeling like I had to justify to others and myself why it was okay to have more than 1 cheat meal, or why it was okay to miss a workout. I think while there are positive intentions, when it’s focused on so much it actually creates a negative head space.

So yeah, as time passed I just knew I didn’t want to continue my life in that way, and I realized that I want to share practical fitness tips that will help you feel confident in your own skin while still living a “normal” life. And as I mentioned earlier, style and beauty has always been a passion of mine so it made sense to create a space on IG and the blog that encompassed more lifestyle.

I feel like there will still be some changes coming up in this new year. Don’t worry, I won’t be doing away with my fitness content entirely, or my macros mondays lol, but I do know that I want to genuinely promote a lifestyle where you can have it all. Working towards your fitness goals, while still going out to eat, enjoying wine, going on vacation, etc. Just actually living. 

So anyways! I will always be real and honest with you guys so I wanted to share this with you all. Can any of you guys relate to the feelings I was having with my fitness account? Whether it’s yes or no, let’s talk about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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  1. Awesome, Claire. I, too, am so over the before and after pictures…..personally. But I LOVE hearing about other people’s strengths and weaknesses outside the gym. I love travel and enjoy showing how fun that can be while still maintaining a realistic, healthy lifestyle.

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      yeah, I think it’s great to share about parts of your journey–definitely! But it gets to a point where, what is the intention behind you posting something? and is it helpful? lol but yes, how to maintain a realistic healthy lifestyle is what I love to see too!

    • Nicole says:

      Thanks for posting this. I started my fitness IG account for exactly the same reason and even posted that exact kind of post this week! This week was so busy with Halloween, mom life, and school life that I didn’t workout everyday. I didn’t eat perfect everyday. But I still felt the need to validate it on IG. While I’m not a big IG fitness model or anything, I still compare myself to others and know that I shouldn’t. Part of it is finding who you are and striving to be the best version of that person. I think! Anyway thanks for keeping it real! One thing, how do you find your “real.” Am I a super yoga girl, am I going to strive towards building muscles with heavyweights kind of girl, or am I a “toning” girl? How did you figure out who you wanted to be and strive towards that? Sorry for the long post!

      • cguentz.gofit says:

        hey! yeah, I feel you girl! I was totally in the same boat (clearly) until I one day was like, why am I not doing what is making me happy and that I know will work for me?! It definitely is a learning process finding that out. On that note, to answer your question I think you have to determine what your goals are and what you truly enjoy. For me, I much prefer lifting weights over resistance exercises, so I lift weights! And since I overall like the look of lean muscle, I only do heavier weights on my leg/butt days because I want those to grow more! And while I do like yoga and cardio occasionally, I don’t make that my main focus because I know I wouldn’t want to do that every single day. So that’s how I find my “real.” And in terms of eating, I know that I like to eat out and not be limited by only “clean” foods so I count macros so I can work towards my fitness goals but also enjoy life. I think at the end of the day you have to ask yourself, if I wasn’t seeing anyone else on social media or I didn’t have anything else to compare to, what would I choose to do? I think that is the best way to find your own real!! 🙂

  2. Angela Baker says:

    Omg yes girl ?? ?? I’m cracking up! I love your sarcasm. You said it all. Especially the “real vs. reality” photos. I’m a new blogger and my focus is healthy lifestyle but I have committed to not doing the typical body shots on insta. I don’t think that’s beneficial to anyone. And I can be the same way and start comparing myself. It’s just not healthy! Love your blog a lot! You are so honest and helpful!

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      Bahahah, well what can i say ????? it needed to be said ? but yes I love your approach! I think it’s so easy to get caught up in what the majority does when it’s not necessarily the right approach. Keep doing you girl ?? and thank you so much for reading my blog and your overall support!! ?

  3. Rachel says:

    This is so brave and necessary. I applaud you for sharing this transparently. This is definitely a messaged that needs to be relayed more frequently in the wake of the fitspo boom on social media these days. Love, always!

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      aw, thanks girl I appreciate that. I think it’s so easy to just hop on the “fitspo bandwagon” and do what you think other people are doing when it may not necessarily be the best thing! But I’ve learned to do what’s best for me and if people don’t like it or it’s not fitspo enough for them, then that’s just fine! They don’t have to follow along 😉 Thanks babe!!

  4. Emma Woldum says:

    Hi, Claire!
    I’m not typically one to reach out to people that I’ve never actually met, but I just gotta applaud you for being such an awesome influence in this crazy world of social media. Recently, I was reflecting on how much my mindset has changed toward food and fitness. I used to follow all kinds of fitness accounts for “motivation.” And they did motivate me—but I didn’t realize how my mindset was changing as my body did. I saw improvements in the gym and that’s all that mattered. Slowly I started to realize I was mentally headed in a direction I didn’t want to go. I knew I needed to take a step back and think about how I define a “healthy lifestyle,” and consider whether these people online really had so much in common with my goals after all. I came to this realization several months ago and somewhere between then and now, things did change (thank god!). Just the other day, I was thinking about how much happier I am now, and was trying to figure out how and when I snapped myself back to reality…How did I save myself from being the person who used to feel guilty for not going to the gym, who obsessed over numbers, and who chose abs over ice cream (seriously wtf?)? When I read your recent blog post I realized, a lot of it had to do with you. You’re one of my OG insta favs and have always been an amazing, honest influence. I’ve loved following along your journey and when you started to share your own mental shift, it helped me see the flaws in my own thoughts and ideas around being “fit.” Without realizing it, I changed. And the best part is that it wasn’t because you preached living any certain way or made me feel like I needed to be just like you (although let’s be real, I’ll take your hair any day and am pretty convinced that in another life we were bffs). BUT you just have always been unapologetically yourself, and your honesty and love for ALL parts of life (not just fitness) has been contagious. Rather than trying to inspire people to be like you, you inspire people want to be themselves. And for that I am so, so grateful. Thanks for all you do! I know it’s hard work and you juggle a lot, but just wanted to let you know that you are very appreciated.

    p.s. don’t mind me over here just writing a whole damn novel ??????

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      Hi Emma! OMG I love the novel!! 🙂 This comment seriously made my day. I got home and I was like omg Stephen look at what someone wrote!! So first off, every thing you said means so much to me. I truly just want to help people open their eyes and realize that there is more to life than a 6 pack…like you said, abs over ice cream?! WTF! Lol. It sounds like we went though the same thing and I KNOW that a lot of other women feel the same way and it just sucks because there is SO much more that life has to offer. I hope that by blog posts like this one, and comments like yours that we can have an impact on those who are still feeling like we did in the past. But anyway! Thanks so much for all your support and kind words!! It truly means a lot! xx

  5. Elianne says:

    I can 100% relate!!! And I’m so happy you ended up going this route. ????

  6. Bea says:

    Thank you Claire for that real post! I used to have 2 accounts, one being just about my fitness journey so I can totally relate. One day in felt like you I just wanted to live, I didn’t care what people think so I canceled one account and now post what I want. I don’t stress out about making my plate looking pretty ? We are eating healthy as much as possible we are active and we do enjoy a glass of wine when we want or a pizza. A Lifestyle doesn’t seems healthy to me if you always have to turn down the things you love or feels guilty about it. A healthy lifestyle only work with an healthy mind – and as a French that means having a glass of wine ?

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      yes! totally agree–being healthy only works when your body and mind are both in the right place. and I know–to think that I ever thought cutting out wine was acceptable! hahah. But yes, I think everyone can be guilty of getting caught up with what others are doing/thinking when in the end it doesn’t matter at all–have to do what makes you happy!! 🙂

  7. liebetreesi says:

    Ugh, another pet peeve of mine…the “everyone has stomach rolls” posts. Like THANKS I feel so much better about my rolls now…?

    • cguentz.gofit says:

      lol, we all have our pet peeves!! I know people try to be helpful but I can see how some things just do the opposite!

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