4 Times The Internet Made You Hate Your Body

"I only want to lose, like, 25 pounds by Friday"

4. The Victoria's Secret "Perfect Body" Campaign

Victoria's Secret / Via huffingtonpost.com

This looks more like the "only body" campaign. Ladies, if you were to identify yourself on this body spectrum, would you be able to? I know I wouldn't. Where is the variety in body shape, height, breast size, or thigh width? The direct signification between the images of these bodies and the word "perfect" plastered on top is a recipe for insecurity disaster.

According to author Chris Shilling, nowadays we are bombarded with images and articles on how to keep our bodies tight, beautiful, and sexy. Furthermore, in the current era is there is a particular tendency for the body to become central to one's self-identity. This is due to the strong emphasis of perfect body ideals online.

So who benefits? The cosmetic industries, who are increasingly making more and more $$$, turning insecurity into profits daily.

In the United States alone, 13 million cosmetic procedures took place in 2010, and this number has continued to climb to new heights. Women are told constantly by the media how their bodies should look, and this campaign embodies the construction of one "perfect," and highly unrealistic, body type.

Due to social comparison online and the rise in cosmetic surgery, the body is no longer a "natural given" i.e. you get what you are born with. Rather, it has become a phenomenon of endless options and choices; a series of nip and tuck, if you will.

But wait, does your friend on Instagram really have that small of a waist? And does acne magically disappear when we take selfies? I think not; lets talk about Facetune.

3. Facetune

Facetune / Via facetuneapp.com

Behold the not-so-secret weapon that everyone loves to deny that they use, Facetune.

No matter who you are, this app will help you find the insecurities you never knew you had (how's that for a catch-phrase?).

Is your beard not dark enough? Teeth too yellow? Acne ruining your selfies? Facetune can "fix" it and lower your self-esteem one edit at a time.

Let's get serious, how are people suppose to feel after they have completely retouched their face, body, or both?

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery revealed that in 2015, a whopping 64% of facial plastic surgeons saw an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectable treatments in patients under age 30 (!!!).

Adding on to this, it sets everyone up with unrealistic standards on what self-improvement should look like.

Why? Because when anyone is scrolling through their social media accounts, they see the edited versions of everyone they follow and it sets impossible body image standards.

To be quite frank, you may have been trying to look like someone who doesn't even look like themselves in real life.

Speaking of impossible standards, let's examine:

2. Every Calvin Klein Ad, Ever

Calvin Klein / Via elleuk.com thefashionisto.com dailymail.co.uk

Are these advertisements supposed to be relatable?

Is the everyday guy supposed to look at these and think to himself, "man, I would look just like that in a pair of my Calvin's".

I don't think so. The over-enhancement of the models' muscles (and, admittedly, other features) depict an unrealistic body image that may not be attainable to a majority of the male audience.

Authors Jonathan E. Schroeder & Detlev Zwick claim that the male body in advertising is almost always constructed to represent stereotypical masculinity and strength, which sends a message to men of what they "should" look like in order to be viewed as masculine by society. This leads to insecurity and anxieties amongst males.

The overrepresentation of the "lean, toned, and strong" man online and in the media further perpetuates unhealthy body behaviours. Author Sarah Grogan explains how pressures to be more muscular and toned in many cases lead to negative health impacts on males in regards to drug and steroid use. Furthermore, men are more likely to desire being more muscular at any age.

So thank you, Calvin Klein, for presenting men with an image that they may never be able to live up to.

And finally, taking the number one place ...

1. The "Fit Tea" Epidemic

Lyfe Tea / Via blogilates.com

The fit tea, or as I like to call it "the laxative tea," fad takes the spot for number one on the countdown.

Every time it pops up on social media it is just another reminder of how everyone "should be losing weight". From every Jenner/Kardashian to Pretty Little Liar's star Ashley Benson, there are only a handful of celebrities and models left who have not joined in on the fit tea promotional hype.

These detox tea's claim to help you lose weight in a matter of days. However, pilates instructor Cassey Ho revealed that many of these tea's contain an ingredient called Senna, which is a laxative herb that has insufficient evidence linking it to weight loss. Furthermore, if you use it for too long your body will become dependent on it causing you to be constipated if you stop taking it.

It is important to remember that your favourite celeb's are being paid ridiculous amounts to promote these products on social media, so don't feel like you need to lose weight or "be skinny" because chances are these celebrities don't drink the tea either.

At the end of the day, drinking a tea will not make you drop 10 pounds, it will, however, keep you in the bathroom all night.