SLIMMING DOWN WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Ciara hasn’t been shy about sharing her postbaby slimdown progress on social media. She has even posted on Instagram photos of herself stepping onto the scale. More than just a brave move, research suggests that sharing slimdown updates the way Ciara has can enhance your chances of success. When researchers examined people’s experience with an online weight-loss community, they found that those who were highly engaged in the network and regularly shared their weight change lost a lot more weight — an average of 8.3 percent of their body weight during a six-month period, compared to 4.1 percent among those who were less active on the site, according to a 2015 study.

Part of this advantage may stem from the sense of accountability you get from posting your progress in an online community, which helps you stay consistent in your efforts, says celebrity personal trainer Charlene Ciardiello. Part of it also may come from the social support you receive from friends and followers who encourage you to keep up the great work. Indeed, a 2013 study found that adults who tweeted about their weight-loss attempts say they received more support and less negativity from their Twitter followers than they did from their real-life friends and family. So don’t discount the value of virtual encouragement!