I cannot imagine how hard it is to be a woman and stand in the checkout line at the super market. While confined in that awkwardly narrow space, real women are bombarded by an endless array of rail thin waifs. Each picture presenting its lady as the very definition of beautiful. The media has declared that this is what real beauty looks like. They have found their story and they are running with it. But are they right? Is this look realistic for most women? More importantly, is it even safe for most women?
Fashion Has Lost Touch With The Real World
The word circling the internet is that most fashion designers now consider a size 6 woman to be “Plus Sized.” This declaration has started a fury of conversation about what is realistic, safe and attractive for women today. According to ABC News, twenty years ago there was an 8% disparity between the average woman and the average fashion model. Today that disparity is a whopping 23%. The women you see on the runway are not the same women you see at work, at the park or in your local fitness facility.
The New Plus Size Myth: Sending A Dangerous Message
The idea that a size 6 represents a “Plus size” woman is a dangerous precedent to set. The negative connotation associated with the term “Plus size” places a whole new set of pressures on the youth of today. It is hard enough being a teenage girl in today’s world of endless entertainment news and Hollywood coverage. Now, more than ever, they need positive reinforcement that they are is beautiful. With so many negative forces weighing on them, today’s youth need praise, encouragement and confidence. The seeds of self-doubt are planted at an early age in today’s world and its effects can be devastating long-term.
What is “Healthy?”
While today’s models garner an endless stream of media attention, WebMD reports that the average woman in America today is roughly a size 12-14. So which is right? Is the runway model on the left the form we should aspire to? Or is it the strong, healthy and vibrant CrossFit athlete on the right?
CrossFit Southbay chronicled the real world health difference between the two and provided another striking photographic comparison. While the model may weigh considerably less, you would be hard pressed to find someone that would favor that look over the athlete. One has to imagine that every day acts like pushing open a door or carrying groceries would be difficult for the model. While the athlete maintains a healthy diet and weight trains regularly, the model “Diets” to the point of flirting with anorexia. It seems impossible that she consumes enough fat, protein and macronutrients to be healthy while still maintaining that shape. Has anyone checked her bone density? Is she consuming enough calcium? How much undue stress is she placing on her kidneys by not being properly hydrated and missing key nutrients? There is more to life than standing on a stage and it seems impossible to maintain this sort of existence long term. Your life off of the stage will be a great deal longer than your life on it. How do you want that time to go?
Does It Even Matter?
In the real world where people have jobs, families and commitments the opinion of the fashion elite should be irrelevant. The truth is that real beauty radiates outward from a woman’s core. Beauty and health aren’t tied to some number on the inside of your jeans and it is just as likely found in a size 4 as a size 14. Being healthy means maintaining a healthy size and weight for YOU. It means possessing enough strength to support your daily activities. Most importantly it means being happy with who YOU are. There is no cookie cutter form that fits all women. If being a size 6 means being “Plus size,” then be plus sized and love every minute of it. As long as you are happy with who you are and how you feel, then to hell with what anyone else thinks. Check out the video from The Journey TV and see what real, strong, BEAUTIFUL women think about this new mandate. Chris Donnelly from The Journey TV knows a thing or two about health and fitness. He has lost over 100 pounds using event training as his motivation. He is a powerful example of how setting a goal and visualizing your destination can be the ultimate motivator. Thanks for a great video Chris!
Is the fashion world way off base or is this really the ideal? Please share your thoughts below.
Craig is the newest member of the Progenex team. An IT Administrator by day and Progenex peddling blogger by night, Craig started Crossfit in 2011 in an effort to increase his work capacity across multiple domains and keep up with his two young children. His obsession with Crossfit led him to Progenex and it was love at first Belgian Chocolatey sip. This former NCAA DIII linebacker enjoys playing with his children, writing and lifting heavy things. When the opportunity to write for the blog arose, the allure of the shiny silver bag was too much to ignore. Fueled by the loud music in his headphones and the shaker of Recovery by his side the silky smooth content machine spends his free time working to make this the best blog on the Internet.
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