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Body Obsession Led to Exhaustion, Says Influencer
5 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Alice Liveing detailed her past struggles with severe eating and overtraining.
- She initially believed a smaller body would lead to a better life.
- Social media's focus on aesthetics can harm individual health.

Personal trainer Alice Liveing has revealed the detrimental effects of her past pursuit of a "perfect" body. In her book, she details experiences with severe restrictive eating and overtraining, stemming from the belief that a smaller physique equated to a better life. This mindset, amplified by early social media's focus on weight loss, led to fatigue and mood swings, prompting a reevaluation of her health.
Liveing admitted that acknowledging her past mistakes to her followers was challenging. She now advocates for a more nuanced understanding of fitness, emphasizing strength and mental wellbeing over mere aesthetics. Her journey underscores the toxicity that can arise from curating an idealized digital lifestyle.
Fitness expert Shakira Akabusi echoed these concerns, noting that social media often presents a one-size-fits-all approach to health, which is misleading. Both experts stressed that genuine wellbeing takes time and is unique to each individual, urging a shift away from fixation on numbers and towards enjoying movement as an integral part of life.