Showing posts with label You are beautiful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label You are beautiful. Show all posts
You ARE beautiful NOW!!
Becca, age 14
Sometimes, when I see old pictures of myself, I say "wow, I was so beautiful!" ...with the implication that I'm not beautiful now. And that needs to stop.
We look at ourselves in the mirror & only see flaws. 10 years from now, looking at photos from today, we'll think, I was so pretty/perfect/flawless, why didn't I see it then?!
So let's stop that. Today, look at yourself in the mirror. Look at how stunning you are! Don't wait.
Starve yourself, then you'll be pretty (?!)
Victoria's Secret "Angel" Adriana Lima is all over the news this week, in celebration of malnutrition and conforming to society's absurd body ideals.
The model is preparing for the Victoria's Secret fashion show with an insane regimen: she "drinks a gallon of water a day. For nine days before the show, she will drink only protein shakes - "no solids". The concoctions include powdered egg. Two days before the show, she will abstain from the daily gallon of water, and "just drink normally". Then, 12 hours before the show, she will stop drinking entirely" (source).
The worst part of the extensive media coverage surrounding her is the exultation of starving oneself to achieve a 'perfect' body, one worth showing off in expensive lingerie. A woman who isn't dehydrated and malnourished is not worthy of praise and admiration?!
Victoria's Secret already has had their say in what body sizes are acceptable-- the ones their stores cater to, from extra small to large (or, on occasion, (a very small) extra large). The diet Angels are forced to adhere to just drives the point home, ten-fold. Not only are very thin women the only beautiful women, but they must be constantly starving, parched + exercising.
I used to excitedly watch the fashion show every year, drooling over the dainty lingerie and angel wings, but the glitz isn't enough for me this year. I'm boycotting Victoria's Secret until they wise up and feature models of all sizes (or, at the very least, naturally slender women who don't have to stave themselves to be considered pretty). Please join me.
The model is preparing for the Victoria's Secret fashion show with an insane regimen: she "drinks a gallon of water a day. For nine days before the show, she will drink only protein shakes - "no solids". The concoctions include powdered egg. Two days before the show, she will abstain from the daily gallon of water, and "just drink normally". Then, 12 hours before the show, she will stop drinking entirely" (source).
The worst part of the extensive media coverage surrounding her is the exultation of starving oneself to achieve a 'perfect' body, one worth showing off in expensive lingerie. A woman who isn't dehydrated and malnourished is not worthy of praise and admiration?!
Victoria's Secret already has had their say in what body sizes are acceptable-- the ones their stores cater to, from extra small to large (or, on occasion, (a very small) extra large). The diet Angels are forced to adhere to just drives the point home, ten-fold. Not only are very thin women the only beautiful women, but they must be constantly starving, parched + exercising.
I used to excitedly watch the fashion show every year, drooling over the dainty lingerie and angel wings, but the glitz isn't enough for me this year. I'm boycotting Victoria's Secret until they wise up and feature models of all sizes (or, at the very least, naturally slender women who don't have to stave themselves to be considered pretty). Please join me.
Full-Fat Frappuccinos
Why is a fat person in leggings with a venti frappuccino regarded with pity (if not scorn), while her skinny counterpart is 'a fashionista'?
No, Starbucks Barista, my dress size does not suggest that my frap should be fat-free.
Yes, I'm sure I want fries with that.
And yes, I'll rock skintight pants if I want to.
I'm sick of being judged for the curve of my hips, the roundness of my stomach, the fullness of my chin. My body is built this way. Sure, I could diet obsessively, exercise ceaselessly, engage in fervent self-loathing. In fact, I've done all of that before. But the majority of people who lose weight gain it all back and self-loathing does absolutely no one any good. I would know.
So here's a radical idea: instead of focusing on my eating habits, my clothing or my frame, consider this: there's something to that adage, "don't judge a book by its cover".
And if you really want to look at peoples' bodies, feast on this: people come in all different shapes and sizes. Each and every one of them is beautiful, from the tiny to the rotund and everywhere in between.
No, Starbucks Barista, my dress size does not suggest that my frap should be fat-free.
Yes, I'm sure I want fries with that.
And yes, I'll rock skintight pants if I want to.
I'm sick of being judged for the curve of my hips, the roundness of my stomach, the fullness of my chin. My body is built this way. Sure, I could diet obsessively, exercise ceaselessly, engage in fervent self-loathing. In fact, I've done all of that before. But the majority of people who lose weight gain it all back and self-loathing does absolutely no one any good. I would know.
So here's a radical idea: instead of focusing on my eating habits, my clothing or my frame, consider this: there's something to that adage, "don't judge a book by its cover".
And if you really want to look at peoples' bodies, feast on this: people come in all different shapes and sizes. Each and every one of them is beautiful, from the tiny to the rotund and everywhere in between.
I Stopped Reading "Health" Magazines + You Should Too!
April Flores for Bizarre Magazine
I used to pore over women's health magazines, certain that reading them would inspire me to be healthier. Recently, though, I learned that so-called health magazines aren't so good for us afterall: They perpetuate negative body image ideals and insist that a woman will never be good enough until she's thin, inspiring crash diets and self-loathing.
Now, I do indulge in magazines (what girl doesn't?) but I'm far more discerning than I used to be. In place of reaching for Self or Shape, I explore the Health at Every Size community online or read feminist publications like Bitch and Bust. Better quality material and it makes me feel good about myself. I love fashion magazines too, but take their "health" tips with a grain of salt.
Rather than reading about ways to be skinny, I actively work at being healthy by going for walks, preparing nutritious snacks or practicing yoga.
I recognize that skinny is not necessarily healthy and healthy is not necessarily skinny, just like fat is not necessarily unhealthy and unhealthy is not necessarily fat.
I acknowledge that my body type (voluptuous, full-figured) was highly sought-after throughout history-- a larger figure meant a woman was well-off enough to eat lavishly and her curves were considered beautiful. In the past 60 years or so, slender has been considered most attractive. Society's tastes change in cycles. One day curvy will be in again and thin will be out. We just have to ignore trends and embrace the body we have.
Lastly, I remind myself over and over again that I am beautiful and I deserve to be healthy-- emotionally and physically.
And so do you.
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