Your body shape doesn’t matter.
OK, I know you’re thinking, “Of course your body shape matters, it’s important to be healthy and fit etc., etc." And you’re right. It is important to be healthy and fit. What’s become too important to women, however, is the shape of their bodies even after they’re healthy and fit. What I mean by this is that nowadays, people strive for the bodies of those who live on the covers of Glamour and between the pages of Vogue; the bodies of women who make a living and a life off of maintaining a perfectly flawless physique. For the rest of the world — a world lacking perfect lighting, professional makeup, and the latest high-fashion trends — this just isn’t a reality.
Beauty standards aren’t a new thing. They’ve been present through all of recorded history- do powdery skin and corsets ring any bells? Drop waists and bobbed hairdos? Shoulder pads and spandex aerobic suits? This era has women obsessed with the perfect bodies — or the seemingly perfect bodies that are constantly portrayed in the spotlight. This is the era of the ‘belfie’, a term coined by the iconic Kim Kardashian, a woman who is most known, many would argue, for the shape of her behind. It’s a time of Snapchat selfie videos, Instagram models, and vegan, gluten-free, paleo fitness gurus with enviably picturesque blogs. Are these things bad? No.
But just think about this: there exists a woman who is most famous for her butt. What does that say about the value we place on our bodies as a society? Should a person be characterized by one aspect of their body? Be it a positive or negative association... is that right?
This overload of media flawlessness has taken a toll on the way we think as women. Being constantly in contact with this type of content leads women, and teenagers especially, to think this is the way they need to look, the norm. The truth is, bodies come in all shapes and sizes- cheesy, but true. Some women are naturally larger than others. Some women have bigger stomachs and smaller thighs, and some have bigger thighs and smaller stomachs. It’s just the way we’re built. Despite being within a healthy weight range, living an active lifestyle, and maintaining a generally healthy diet, many women want more. And if you want to look like Jen Selter, that’s okay, she has a great body that she’s worked hard for, but just know that her career is based on that- you have to be willing and able to put in that same amount of time. And it’s okay to not look like that too. Health looks different on everyone.
The problem is, not all women think of it like that. While I was in the gym the other day, I overheard two women conversing about their food consumption for the day. The woman asked what the other had eaten yesterday. The answer? “I ate that one meal with you and that’s it.”
“That one meal.” Let that sink in. Women are willing to potentially damage their bodies to get the results they want. This type of thinking leads girls and women to eating disorders and body dysmorphia. The struggle to attain the image that girls see in their magazines and on tv shows and movies can often be harmful and difficult to recover from.
Media isn’t a bad thing. It’s fun to look at pretty pictures of beautiful people. It’s visually aesthetic, a form of art. But this standard shouldn’t be placed on the general population. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to look your best. It feels good when you accomplish your goals and your body benefits because of it. I'm not saying don't try to look good; of course, you should post that cute pic you took on the beach with your besties. But don't let your looks control your life. When the pressure to look a certain way is your sole reason for doing something, maybe you should take another look at the situation. Girls shouldn’t be feeling bad because they don’t look the same in a bathing suit as the woman featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition. Nor should women be pressured to fit the sizes of a Victoria’s Secret angel.
Why not celebrate the things are bodies are capable of, rather than their appearance? Get excited about the three miles you ran this morning, or the fact that you have the energy to run around with your toddler cousin, or that you can carry all of your groceries into the house without making a second trip. Workout regularly, eat a cucumber and some quinoa and worry less about the shape of your body. You have more important things to do, I promise.
