Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Wrong Message

It's no secret that we have become a society obsessed with image.  I am also guilty of it.  I have been obsessed with my body image for years.  I always wanted to be skinnier to fit into the tiny clothes and have people comment on how skinny I am.

Thank goodness my thoughts have changed and I'm no longer wishing for a skinnier body. I am now okay with not being in a certain size but I'd rather be healthy and have a stronger body.  I am always amazed at the things that I have been able to do with some hard work and determination.

It's sad that many people will go to any length to be that shape or size that they believe is perfect.
There is no perfect, folks. Every size is beautiful. 
No, society and some companies won't tell you that but it's true.  We need to change the way we think.  We need to start telling our young daughters that it's okay if you aren't wearing a size 2.  It's okay if you are wearing a size 12. The bottom line is, you need to be healthy. It's true that as your weight or size increases, you are more likely to have health problems which is why health and fitness is important.  The scale is not.

Go to a mirror and really look at yourself. Find the things about your image that you like.  Go on, do it. There is so much about you that is great and beautiful.  Inside and out.

Your image does not define you. You are more than your size.
I have noticed that some people who are working for "health and fitness" companies are trying to find customers in prom goers.  They are advertising to teen girls to "be skinny and beautiful for your big night."  NO!  That is the last thing that teenage girls need to hear.  When they put on their gowns or dresses and have their hair and makeup done, they are enhancing the beauty they already have.  They don't need a magic lotion, gel or wrap to be beautiful.  It's the wrong message. Every single time I see the ads, it infuriates me. We cannot send this message to kids that being skinny equals being perfect or beautiful.

Of course I workout daily.  Of course I want to be as fit as I can be.  Am I trying to be perfect?  Nope.  There is no perfect.  Even the skinniest girls, the most beautiful girls have problems.  We are human.  We are imperfect in many ways but that's okay.

I hate to see companies that are perpetuating an image of perfection appeal to young girls.  Instead, these girls need a positive image to follow. One that encourages healthy eating, daily exercise (even if only for 30 minutes a day) and a big smile on their face.

6 comments:

  1. Body image is such a huge issue and main stream media has only been making it worse. I think you said it all so well! Younger girls especially are so impressionable and don't understand the difference between healthy and fit and skinny and obsessed. I know the issues that I dealt with in my younger years hating my body for all of it's imperfections and only now as a mother of two do I feel the most confident I ever have. I think the best thing we can do to fight the media is to set the best example we can for our children and show them that being healthy isn't about what size jeans you wear or the number on the scale.

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    1. So true, I am trying to do that with my kids, especially my teenage daughter.

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  2. Hey! I nominated you for a Liebster Award! Check out my post about it :) http://flexandshoutfitness.com/2014/05/08/the-liebster-award-and-the-winners-are/

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  3. I also nominated you for a Liebster Award...didn't see that you were already nominated, sorry! Here is the link to my blog if you wanna check it out: http://thefitfoodiemama.com/?p=554

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    1. No big deal! I actually like answering the questions, it's fun and not something I get to do very often! Thank you!

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