DISQUS

finola · 1 year ago

Now, that's what I like about the Caribbean, here, people like a woman with something to hold on to!
I wholeheartedly embrace enjoying food - not overindulging, but loving food - which to me means moderation in some cases, allowing yourself to have a little 'sinful' delight now n then and growing to understand how food affects your body, mind and emotions and living. Women are most beautiful when they are truly happy with themselves.

Jay Reeder · 1 year ago

OK, kudos for promoting the mentally healthy attitude of accepting yourself.

Unfortunately, scientific evidence shows that obese people are much more vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

It's one thing to like yourself. It's another thing to not take care of yourself. Fortunately, the two aren't mutually incompatible.

Caroline Shannon · 1 year ago

Agreed, Colleen. There is a much better way to motivate people to get healthy. Lets start with, "Hey, buddy, wanna go for a walk?" Yeah -- I think we can nix the "Healthy = skinny. Unhealthy = fat" or "Don't be a fat pig anymore" (yes, they actually write that) messages. That kind of "motivation"is not helping anyone.

Laura Neff · 1 year ago

Thank you for this article! The only thing I'd add is that we, as a culture, desperately need the journey to be about moving toward VIBRANT HEALTH! Losing weight can be a GREAT side effect of becoming vibrantly healthy, but, to me, shouldn't be the end point of the journey. I think you inferred this a lot in your article. The last paragraph just caught my eye in terms of the language and where readers are pointed. And, in addition to creating our own vibrant health, if we're really doing the process justice, we can aid in moving our planet back to vibrant health, too! :)

ishita gupta · 1 year ago

i definitely agree with your opinion regarding the language and attitude conveyed in the book. I skimmed it through at the bookstore one night, trying to glean whatever tips i could in a few minutes, but was just appalled at the names and language they were using. Yeah, fine, i have implemented soy since then..but reading the book certainly didn't help me FEEL better about myself or my body...the negative, fire under your pants attitude may be helpful for motivation (and i admit i needed a bit of it) but generally speaking i learn from positive encouragement, not the other way around....thanks for your article...

CarrieM · 1 year ago

Well said!

Danette · 1 year ago

Great post!

Alison · 1 year ago

As a person branded with the Skinny Bitch title since her childhood, I can say that its very much overrated. Strangely, it seems that most people have a lot of regard for obese women's feelings, but little regard for a slender gal's. I've been called outright slutty based on appearance. I've been treated with resentment and have even been accused of having eating disorders despite being perfectly healthy. The snide comments, the unwanted attention... And little understanding or support, made for a very, very uncomfortable time with my body image.

People seem to think that if you're thin, you're living the dream. We have as many troubles as people with weight issues do. (I like the saying "Be kind, for everyone you meet is facing a hard battle." ) What a lot of body image campaigns, or women-based forums seem to lack is the ability to see beauty in all body types, not just their specific type. Why encourage more body angst? We should be encouraging health, not saying which dress sizes are right or wrong.