Unhealthy Pre-Shoot Habits of Fitness Models Revealed

Unhealthy Pre-Photoshoot Practices Adopted by Fitness Models Revealed

In the world of fitness modeling, the journey to picture-perfect bodies can be more complex and deceptive than it appears. A recent look into the industry reveals that some models resort to extreme measures to achieve the desired look before photoshoots.

Jill Coleman, a former fitness and figure model, and the founder of body-positive blog Jillfit.com, sheds light on this issue. Coleman shares her experiences, highlighting the potential dangers and the need for a more realistic portrayal of fitness models in the media.

One such practice involves consuming a high-carb diet, including foods like potatoes, candy bars, cheesecake, oatmeal, rice cakes, or toast with peanut butter, in the final hours before a photoshoot. This strategy helps models swell their muscles with glycogen, while keeping their skin lean and dry.

However, it's not just about food. Some models use extreme dehydration and nutrient deprivation to prepare for photoshoots. This can lead to serious health risks such as fainting, exhaustion, swelling of the brain, and even kidney damage, as dehydration is a serious health risk.

Personal trainer Seb Gale, in his preparation for a shoot, resorted to reducing his water intake and taking magnesium pills and dandelion tea to speed up the dehydration process. Gale also took 20 fish oil capsules daily to increase his body's sensitivity to insulin.

But it's not all about the physical toll. Being at that level of fitness can take a significant emotional and social toll as well. Models may feel the pressure to maintain an unattainable standard, leading to an incredibly bad relationship with food, feelings of insecurity, and even the destruction of social life.

Despite the challenges, Coleman sees a silver lining in the fact that the initial reaction to these images can lead viewers to question why they feel insecure and to learn to love their bodies. It's a reminder that fitness models, too, are individuals with their own struggles and that the media should present a more balanced and realistic portrayal of fitness and health.