Blogger loses 70,000 Instagram followers… for a very good reason

Sophie Gray is an Instagram star and blogger.

She also used to be a fitness fanatic who posted photo after photo of herself exercising and showing off her abs. But recently, Sophie stopped posting those kinds of photos - and for a very good reason. She told Business Insider that she had noticed how more popular her fitness-focused posts were and she didn't think that was right.

"I realised that continuing to be this fitness person, even though it didn't feel like me, was wrong. It was hard because I had built my following surrounding that image for three and a half years."

A post shared by Sophie Gray (@wayofgray) on Jun 29, 2017 at 2:52pm PDT

While Sophie also said she realises that working out and being proud of your body is not a bad thing, she recognises that Instagram is saturated with this content and she didn't want to be a part of it anymore.

"For me, the reason my account was a fitness one in the first place was because that's where I found acceptance. I was needing to look for it outside of myself because I wasn't giving it to myself."

Now, the blogger finds acceptance in everyday experiences... and her posts reflect it. A few months ago, she shared this photo to explain her decision to stop being so focused on fitness.

A post shared by Sophie Gray (@wayofgray) on Jul 12, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

The post's caption reads:

"You no longer see pictures of my body this way on @Instagram for this reason. Having a six pack and thigh gap doesn't make you happy. Pizza and cookies are fucking delicious. And I'm sick of women being told they have to be anything other than themselves to be happy. I know I was in the #fitspo industry for years, and I still want you to care for your body - but (middle finger emoji) this bullshit."

A post shared by Sophie Gray (@wayofgray) on Aug 3, 2017 at 12:46pm PDT

Sophie also encouraged her followers to use the fuck your fitspo hashtag to show that being healthy did not have to be an obsession. And yet unfortunately for many, it still is. Since she stopped posting pictures of her abs, Sophie has lost a staggering 70,000 Instagram followers. But the blogger said that she does not regret her decision because her account now reflects who she truly is.

"I am proud of myself for sticking with it, even though from a vanity perceptive, it 'is less popular.' But, the impact it's having on people who have stuck around, makes it worth it. It's something I enjoy doing, again."

A post shared by Sophie Gray (@wayofgray) on Aug 31, 2017 at 2:12pm PDT

Now, Sophie also uses her account to speak openly and honestly about her mental health issues and her relationship with food. Where she was once experiencing panic attacks just thinking about the way she was portraying herself online, she is now happy to accept who she is - a blogger who loves donuts and has an adorable pet dog. Fair play Sophie.