Comments on Una Bella Vita: Sad Truth.

Hi! New to the site and loving it! I thiiink the t...

2012-01-25T22:24:23.165-05:00

Hi! New to the site and loving it! I thiiink the tumblr pics are from Maria Bamford stand up?

Perhaps what I said was poorly worded. I agree com...

2012-01-17T15:00:10.883-05:00

Perhaps what I said was poorly worded. I agree completely that the bodies the media flaunts at us are highly problematic and needlessly promote stress and the unhealthy body image of which you speak. You're right--this is a major issue. I'm just saying that the solution that's usually prescribed by people with the correct view that this is derogatory to women and needs to be changed is to use what they call a healthy body image as justification for unhealthy behaviors. Obviously, you do not do this. From what you said, you take care of yourself fantastically. And yes, of course, magazines do need to be changed, because no healthy person should look at them and think there's something wrong with their own body. The images we see of stereotypical "beautiful" women can also create problems from the opposite end: for example, I'm the product of a petite mother and a tall, lanky father. I've always been thin. And since thin is what society aims for, for years when I was a teenager I used that as reason to not bother eating well or exercising--why should I? My reasoning was awful,and as a result I wasn't actually a healthy person, but it's just one of many terrible reactions caused by such destructive standards. They negatively affect both sides of the body-type spectrum

I think what you're saying is that the end result--the image of beauty--needs to be changed drastically. I wholeheartedly agree. What I was saying is that the means to that end also need to be changed. If everyone--from you and me to celebrities and models--starts to value health as a lifestyle and not just in terms of weight, I think we could arrive at that better end of a more realistic, more natural, more healthy body image.

Sorry for the novel-length post. I hope it clarifies some; I wasn't trying to be antagonistic.

Betsey - what an absolutely wonderful post. I have...

2012-01-15T01:35:06.219-05:00

Betsey - what an absolutely wonderful post. I have piles of magazines in my room that are really not doing me any good. I love our viewpoints. You're really inspiring. Thank you.

Olga- Yes yes, I totally agree girl! So true. I te...

2012-01-13T22:56:55.678-05:00

Olga- Yes yes, I totally agree girl! So true. I tend to focus more on women who are larger, JUST because they tend to face much more criticism than petite girls. But I do agree with you 100 % :)

Shani - Said very very well!

I like that you have a strong opinion on this, Bet...

2012-01-13T21:55:28.830-05:00

I like that you have a strong opinion on this, Betsey! Good post.

I personally think that there is nothing wrong with using trim models in magazines (not excessively skinny, but trim, which I think a lot are). Yes we all have different body shapes but look at the human skeleton, it shows us the rough shape our bodies should be. Eat healthy, be as active as you can, and whatever your body size is when you do this and feel like you couldn't do much more except keep it constant, be happy with it, there is nothing wrong with you! We are all different.

What is wrong is the photoshopping that makes girls look unnatural, I think makeup ads are probably the worst at it. But often we can tell whether photos have been photoshopped too much and we should point out to the younger girls who may not know. But I believe it is totally fine to cover up blemishes, even out skin etc.

I have to say one of the most frustrating and, to me, even more saddening things that I have heard over the past few years when the 'weight topic' comes up, is when they say that girls with bigger curves are "REAL WOMEN". I find this offensive and it should never be used. WE ARE ALL REAL WOMEN!

Betsey! I love this post! You have inspired me to ...

2012-01-13T20:31:04.921-05:00

Betsey! I love this post! You have inspired me to do the same with my magazines! No more of those for me, thank you! But I would like to add that although healthy women may usually be "larger" than the models in magazines, that doesn't mean someone with a really thin frame is unhealthy. For example, I am really short and am built very small, what you would call Petite. And would you believe that I would actually LOVE to have more curves? The point is not that we're the "wrong" body type, but that we're not satisfied with the way the Lord made our bodies. It is our job to love them and to treat them well. It isn't about thin, thick. It's about healthy/not healthy. You know what I mean?

not to mention; some women are simply BUILT larger...

2012-01-13T18:15:28.647-05:00

not to mention; some women are simply BUILT larger than others, some women have disorders that make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to lose weight.

There is absolutely nothing admirable about bashing people who look "overweight" - and BLAMING them for not "embracing a healthy body." I will ALWAYS feel bad for anybody who feels bad about their bodies because of unrealistic and fake images in the media.

Caley - Sorry dear, but I have to disagree whole h...

2012-01-13T18:11:58.195-05:00

Caley - Sorry dear, but I have to disagree whole heartedly. Healthy bodies look different - and there is absolutely no "bullshit" in embracing a healthy BODY IMAGE. Women who are healthy are USUALLY bigger than the models in magazines or photoshopped celebrities. Even people who are healthy need to embrace a healthy body image.

For example: I am healthy. I try to eat well. I work out whenever I can - I stay away from too much junk food. BUT, I am a size 6/8, and still find myself thinking there is something wrong with me when I look at magazines.

The issue here is establishing a healthy body image. Period.

I love this. Now I remember why I don't buy mo...

2012-01-13T17:34:36.525-05:00

I love this. Now I remember why I don't buy most magazines!

It's true that magazines like this promote an ...

2012-01-13T14:00:13.264-05:00

It's true that magazines like this promote an image of "beauty" that is nearly unattainable and unnatural for most people, and it's horrible, and it isn't fair. They also promote ridiculous instant-gratification "solutions" and set unrealistic standards. However, it remains true that a disgusting number of Americans are overweight and even obese. Most campaigns designed to encourage women to love their bodies don't bother emphasizing healthy eating habits or exercise. They only foster the real issue--that our culture is lazy and gluttonous. If people don't make the effort to choose the right foods and portions, and don't choose to work out, they should by no means be pitied when they feel poorly about their bodies as a result of idealistic media standards. Forget all this embracing a healthy body image bullshit. How about just embracing a healthy body? I think people will find that the rest might fall into place if we start there.

Anonymous: That video is AWESOME! Everyone needs t...

2012-01-12T23:01:58.563-05:00

Anonymous: That video is AWESOME! Everyone needs to watch it ^ ^ ^

Abigayel: I used to read Vogue a lot. I think VF & Vogue on a different level then mags like Glamour, Elle, Redbook...etc, BUT when it comes down to it they still run the same overly photoshopped/overly sexual ads. Even a quick skim through will subject a reader to dozens of ads that will unconsciously make someone feel worse about themselves. So, I'm choosing to stay away from them all together - It was difficult at first, I actually had a subscription to Vogue, but I really can tell a HUGE difference in the way I view myself.

I love the last picture! Will definitely have to s...

2012-01-12T22:13:34.092-05:00

I love the last picture! Will definitely have to share with a few of my friends who much too influenced by such magazines!

I appreciate this post! but i'm just benignly ...

2012-01-12T17:40:30.187-05:00

I appreciate this post! but i'm just benignly curious, do you read/support Vanity Fair or Vogue? I can't decide... i know they support this horrible vision of what a perfect girl and guy is like... i'm just curious about what you think!

xx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...

2012-01-12T16:04:52.537-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TxLvsnHjp6E#!

Seriously. The culture we're in is almost sickening when it comes to their definition of beauty.

I love reading your blog. Thank you for your inspiration :)

neat. This is a very good post :)

2012-01-12T15:43:13.601-05:00

neat. This is a very good post :)