Beautiful Girl

“Thin is the answer to all of your problems!”

Thanks, society.

It isn’t, I swear. I’m doing just fine and I don’t think anyone would call me thin. Nor does dieting solve any of the problems I do have (except being particularly not thin.) I’m sure, though, that even I have internalized this message, because it’s something the past few generations have been pelted with from Day 1 in this country. Thin is beautiful. Thin is successful. Thin is happy. Thin is in love. Thin is satisfied. Thin is perfect.

NO NO NO NO NO NO. It’s not that thin people can’t be all these things, but it’s not a given, and it’s not even likely, considering what the average person would have to do to be that thin. The modelly image that society gives us as our goal shape is a shape 98% of us will never attain. I recently learned that the average American woman is 5’4″ and 140lbs. The average American model is 5’11″ and 117lbs. Those figures are not remotely equal! It’s a problem, and one I’m sure most people have heard about at some point.

At this point, I’m going to direct you to Dove (which is a company I think everyone should buy from to support their Campaign for Real Beauty).This video clip shows you how what you see is not even that 2% of the population that look so beautiful. It’s a computer. We’re all lusting after a computer-generated image.

So how do we break this cycle? We see these images everywhere, and we can’t walk around with blinders on. The number of eating disorders climbs every year as the age of onset drops viciously into 3rd, 2nd, 1st grade classrooms. We are being victimized by those who want to sell us stuff.

First, work on your own body image. Don’t put yourself down. When you say you’re fat, ask yourself if it’s based on a medical numerical figure or just on how you’re feeling – and if it’s the latter, ask what’s causing you to feel that way. Watch what you eat, but don’t make it your life. Distract yourself when you’re feeling crummy about your body. Spend time with people who love you for you, and make sure you tell them that you love them for them. Go dancing or biking or even walking to get that exercise in, rather than punishing yourself at the gym (unless you like the gym.) Boost your self-confidence with a facial or a flattering hair-cut. Don’t take out your self-issues on your body. Chances are, they aren’t your body’s fault.

Then, if you have kids, teach your kids to do these things. Show them the Dove clip. Vehemently point and accuse magazine articles and covers of being anti-feminist and unreal and harmful to our body image. Make that the message they get, and not that their bodies are wrong. Teach them healthy, mindful eating – know what you’re putting in your mouth and why – and take them for romps in the woods, bike rides, raking, any sort of physical activity together. Love them unconditionally. Help them love themselves.

We can take it to the media. When you see an ad or a cover that is obviously fake, or even that you suspect is fake, send this letter to the editors:

To the Editors of ________,

I recently noticed the (ad/cover/article) (description/title/edition) in your publication. The image you chose to display is unrealistic and damaging to the body images of myself and your other readers. I encourage you not to run (that ad/that type of photo/that kind of article) again. I will not and I will encourage others not to purchase your magazine until you print more realistic, less damaging (images/articles) for your readers.

Sincerely,

_____________

Then, don’t buy the magazine. Tell others not to. Boycott the media until it stops this attack on the American body image and rights itself. Buy products that do encourage a healthy body image. Be aware, and be careful.

We all have the power to be beautiful. It has nothing – nothing – to do with being thin.

Have a thoroughly satisfying day.

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