why you don't look like a fitness model (our DDs and body image)

[Linda on the move]

This relates to a couple of threads, so I decided it could have it's own

http://www.stumptuous.com/why-dont-you-look-like-a-fitness-model

This is a fabulous article (which I've linked here before) that explains why even more professional women athletes don't look like fitness models. It has photographs of female Olympic athletes from different sports.

My DDs never wanted to read the whole article, but showing them the pictures was VERY eye opening for them. It's a fabulous antidote to the media message that "this is what women look like if they take care of themselves" and "if you did everything right, you'd have long thin legs."

[Imakcerka]

I use to be a fitness instructor and I would get so annoyed with the women who would come up to me and ask me how they could shrink their thighs or fix their arms.  I had one lady tell me if I didn't help her lose all that belly fat to show off her six pack underneath then she was gonna get lipo.  I've had women refuse certain work outs because they didn't want to lose their chest... really?  Or make up excuses as to why they were not in the best shape.  Who cares what shape you're in!  Get active and just feel good! 

I taught physical strenght, so I was confused as to why they took my class... Oh it was because of the way I looked.  They were very impatient and expected immediate results.  I think I had to halt my class atleast once a week to remind them they were not in a weight loss class.  It was strenght and endurance.  I'm the kind of person who could rake a field, but physical activity is my way of life.  And I teach that to my girls.  You feel better about yourself physically and mentally due to activity. 

I thinks it's important to teach our daughters and sons that our bodies are machines, we can run quite well for quite sometime if we take care of it.  If we respect it.  If we love it.  A strong body and mind is a beautiful thing.  Notice I didn't say skinny body, I said strong!

I've heard my girls talk about skinny legs and tummies that some people may or may not have, not matter how hard we work to keep this junk out of their heads it will find a way in. 

[CI Mama]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

This relates to a couple of threads, so I decided it could have it's own

http://www.stumptuous.com/why-dont-you-look-like-a-fitness-model

This is a fabulous article (which I've linked here before) that explains why even more professional women athletes don't look like fitness models. It has photographs of female Olympic athletes from different sports.

My DDs never wanted to read the whole article, but showing them the pictures was VERY eye opening for them. It's a fabulous antidote to the media message that "this is what women look like if they take care of themselves" and "if you did everything right, you'd have long thin legs."

Thank you for sharing this article! Totally mind opening. DD is only 3 and (I hope) hasn't yet started down the body-image-obsession path that seems inevitable for our girls.  But I will file this away for a few years.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Imakcerka 

  A strong body and mind is a beautiful thing.  Notice I didn't say skinny body, I said strong!

That's the descriptor I often used, especially if one of my kids asked about how they looked. "Honey, you look strong and healthy - just great!" 

[neonalee]

Thanks Linda! Subscribing for when I am on a real computer.

sent from my phone using tapatalk, please excuse typos.