Body Positive or Promoting an unhealthy lifestyle
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honkytonks85 wrote: »What always gets me is the assumption that being big = unhealthy lifestyle and being slim = healthy lifestyle. Not really the case. It is possible to be overweight and still be healthy. It is possible to be slim and be unhealthy.
Absolutely!0 -
With so many now overweight, it should prove to be a profitable market - which is sort of the point of fashion (making money). :-)0
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honkytonks85 wrote: »What always gets me is the assumption that being big = unhealthy lifestyle and being slim = healthy lifestyle. Not really the case. It is possible to be overweight and still be healthy. It is possible to be slim and be unhealthy.
Exactly. The main focus for anyone should be to be healthy. And healthy looks different for everybody
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she's beautiful and happy in her skin. Good on her!0
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I could care less. If that's what she wants to do , then good for her. I personally prefer being a smaller size, but don't care what size other people are.0
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I just don't see how anyone can be "happy" or "ok" with that much extra weight. I had almost exactly that same body at one point (I'm a little taller) and I wasn't happy at all. Not because I necessarily hated myself, but because that much weight is so uncomfortable. NO clothing is comfortable at that size....it's either bunching up under rolls, digging into fat or clinging in a weird way. Not to mention getting winded when doing ANYTHING, the sweating, the chaffing, not being able to literally fit in chairs or seats or back seats of cars...god I could go on and on.....it's just not fun. I guess she really doesn't know how inconvenient and ridiculous is to deal with all of that and that life can be so different, because she said she's been this way her whole life. I feel bad for her for that. To each their own I guess....0
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I am 5'6" and at my heaviest weight I was a size 24. She can do what she wants with her body. I won't rally behind her because I have been there and the extra weight on the joints and fat around the organs is not healthy. I have seen too many people hide behind body positivity because of their own denial. Body positivity and fat acceptance are slippery slopes imo.0
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lemurcat12 wrote: »Once I made peace with myself I started to see my body differently. I loved the curves I had that made me feminine. Then my weight loss took off. I loved my body and because of that I wanted to treat it well. I wanted to make sure it was nourished and wanted to make it strong. As I started losing weight, I started to see even more of a feminine shape (thinner waistline, more prominent curves) and I started to love my body even more and my body confidence started to grow even more...but I would have never had any confidence if I didn't have love coming from within.
We need more people to love themselves enough to think they are worth taking care of.
Agreed.
I really don't buy into this notion that if there are some people out there happy with how they look at larger sizes that somehow it's going to encourage others to be unhealthy. People have their own reasons for caring about their size. (Similarly, I've never bought into the notion that people get obsessed with being thinner because of actresses or models.)
On the other hand, I do think shame and self-hatred prevent lots of people from being able to do what they need to be healthy--it certainly was easier for me when I stopped feeling like I was a worthless person who didn't deserve to be happy (although that was about a lot more than weight and probably related to me gaining weight in the first place back in the day). So having someone who claims to be fit and looks happy at a larger size is, if anything, positive, although the actual difference it makes to anyone else is probably slight at most.
Have to disagree with the bolded. Any time people see a behavior or condition that was previously viewed as a negative becoming more mainstream, more accepted, it lowers the incentive for people who do that behavior or have that condition to change (which can be good or bad, depending).
If you hold that condition or behavior up as some type of desirable thing (which is not what is happening with the plus-sized model, but is what happened with underweight models), then you end up with some people trying to achieve that behavior or condition. Then you get situations like teenagers trying to diet themselves down to the same bodies as the models they see in magazines because they are held up as standards of beauty.0 -
Wow, that article was definitely a piece of writing on the internet.0
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I feel like your use of the word "article" was overstated.Burt_Huttz wrote: »Wow, that article was definitely a piece of writing on the internet.
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Here's my two cents...
There are many overweight people in this world, and those people need clothes.
Whether those people like being where they are, or whether they are trying to lose weight, or in some cases gain - doesn't matter. They still need clothes.
Overweight people need clothes.
Underweight people need clothes.
Tall people need clothes.
Short people need clothes.
And as far as I'm concerned - there should be models for ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE.
Because this "article" is pointed at plus-size, I'll use that example, but really - substitute any outlier body type...
Big people need underwear. Big people need bras.
Big people like to swim - they deserve to have a bathing suit that works for them.
Big people need to go to work and look professional. Big people like to relax too.
Big people like to exercise.
Big people shouldn't be relegated to wearing tarps because the current market doesn't "like" the way they look!
As such... yes to plus size models! Make clothes that fit them, that flatter them, that help them feel good about themselves at their current state.
Because as far as I am concerned... many of our issues with food come from using it to medicate our emotional scars. And being dressed in a tarp because noone wants to design for it, is emotionally scarring.0 -
The modeling industry isn't exactly spot on when it comes to showcasing women of healthy proportions....normally the models are anorexic. This is the same thing. I am not body shaming obese people nor anorexics.0
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I don't have any problem with her being a model. If someone thinks she will help sell their product, then they will hire her. I personally find her very unattractive (not just the weight) and probably wouldn't be drawn to a product she is advertising, but there are many people who disagree and she would be very effective with them.
I don't believe in fat shaming. People deserve to be treated with respect regardless of what they look like. However, I also don't believe in pretending that morbid obesity is a good thing ...if you are as obese as she is it will almost certainly cause health problems eventually. Nobody should be "happy" to stay at that weight. I'm not saying she should hate herself, or not dress however she likes, or be subject to scorn. But I do think people need to acknowledge that there are major health risks to being that overweight and not pretend that it is as good a lifestyle choice as any other.0 -
MireyGal76 wrote: »
Big people shouldn't be relegated to wearing tarps because the current market doesn't "like" the way they look!
Or America could follow other country leads and make it hard to find clothes above a size 14 or 16. That way, people might be a bit more motivated to lose weight, if they actually had to wear tarps because they are too big.
I don't think it's ok to give the message that you can be morbidly obese like that woman and that it's ok. It's just not ok. And no, I don't like skinny models either, but at least they are 20-30 pounds from a normal weight... not 200+.0 -
Well at least she's actually plus size. I keep seeing women smaller than me (I'm size 6) as models for size 14+ stores and it pisses me off.
Personally? I'd go shop at that store.
That being said, I think there's a very fine line between being 'happy with your body no matter what' and denial.
This!
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She's modeling clothing, clothing meant for women similar to her. Her lifestyle and health have nothing to do with it. It's refreshing because now women of her body type (and there are a lot) have a better idea of what clothing will look like on them.0
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BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »She's modeling clothing, clothing meant for women similar to her. Her lifestyle and health have nothing to do with anything. It's refreshing because now women of her body type (and there are a lot) have a better idea of what clothing will look like on them.
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I am 5'6" and at my heaviest weight I was a size 24. She can do what she wants with her body. I won't rally behind her because I have been there and the extra weight on the joints and fat around the organs is not healthy. I have seen too many people hide behind body positivity because of their own denial. Body positivity and fat acceptance are slippery slopes imo.
I agree. I'm 6' and was 307 and a 24 at my highest. After losing 40 some pounds I'm still obese. I struggled with the decision to start losing weight because I had spent so much time trying to love myself regardless of my weight that it felt like a betrayal to myself to admit I needed to lose weight.
I'm closer to being to terms with it, and I'm learning that loving myself and being comfortable in my own skin go hand and hand with getting fit. I can still think I'm an attractive person, and still love my body, while I'm overweight, but I get how it's a hard line.0 -
The modeling industry isn't exactly spot on when it comes to showcasing women of healthy proportions....normally the models are anorexic. This is the same thing. I am not body shaming obese people nor anorexics.
This!
This whole controversy is not very different from the massive debate that happened a few years back (what was it? 2006?) when two models in Spain died from an eating disorder and subsequently Size 0 models were banned in certain countries.
In the end, this is really the same issue, just at the other end of the scale. With the possible advantage that it will help some girls feel better in their skin, which is obviously a positive thing. That said, I agree with the comments on the fine line between being happy and in denial.
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On the other hand, as someone who has done nude drawings a lot, with people of various sizes, I do agree with the notion that beauty is not a size. Unfortunately beauty does not equal healthy (which also applies at all sizes)0
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BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »She's modeling clothing, clothing meant for women similar to her. Her lifestyle and health have nothing to do with it. It's refreshing because now women of her body type (and there are a lot) have a better idea of what clothing will look like on them.
I don't know how to say this without sounding extremely rude, but do they really need to see a model their size to know what clothing will look on them? I'm sorry but I wasn't anywhere near that size and I could already tell you that NOTHING looked good on me, because I had too much fat.GingerbreadCandy wrote: »On the other hand, as someone who has done nude drawings a lot, with people of various sizes, I do agree with the notion that beauty is not a size. Unfortunately beauty does not equal healthy (which also applies at all sizes)
To an extent, IMO.
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Any time people see a behavior or condition that was previously viewed as a negative becoming more mainstream, more accepted, it lowers the incentive for people who do that behavior or have that condition to change (which can be good or bad, depending).
The point is I don't think one model--or even multiple models--makes much difference. A majority of the US is apparently now overweight, and yet when I was overweight (and certainly when I was obese) it never felt like something acceptable or desirable, because of the overall societal message (which is not primarily from models--I never had any interest or expectation in looking like a model or actress). Obviously we are in no grave danger of teen girls deciding that it's desirable to be a size 24. When people claim that as an excuse to slam someone who is simply saying she's happy with her own size, it seems to me that something else is going on, since the world I live in does not tell us that it's cool to be a 24 (or anywhere near that).
In any event, I don't think models are so much of an influence as people like to claim. Normal people don't care that much what models look like. People are influenced by the people in their life and who they actually know or interact with, as well as their internal ideas about themselves. I was super insecure as a teen and thought I was fat when I wasn't (I was about what I am now or thinner) and self-conscious about my body (and was embarrassed about all kind of other things about myself), but that wasn't about models, who I never compared myself with, but about the fact that I was insecure and filled with self-judgment and self-hatred for other reasons. Now I still know I've got way more body fat than a model, and am also happy with my body and comfortable with myself (while wanting to improve it my body still, to reach fitness goals mainly). Again comparing myself with models isn't the issue (and nor does being happy with your body mean that you don't want to improve it).
Broader point is that people are usually more able to make healthy changes when they have a more positive self-image. Becoming more confident as an adult, even when fat, certainly made me more able to lose weight, as well as more able to be a happy fat person.
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I think modeling as a career is meant to sell the clothes. So if their market is ~size 22 people, she's the perfect person to pick. If their market is ~size 6 people, they need to pick a size 6. I think having a plus size model like her is a means to an end and people shouldn't read into it any more than that. I know they DO read into it. But they really shouldn't. People of that size exist. Even if you're trying to lose weight, you'll still be a 22 at some point. Law DOES require us to wear clothes, so yes, clothes for size 22 should be advertised as much as any other size.
And as a comment to this quote above, "I don't know how to say this without sounding extremely rude, but do they really need to see a model their size to know what clothing will look on them? I'm sorry but I wasn't anywhere near that size and I could already tell you that NOTHING looked good on me, because I had too much fat."
There is no reason to not look the best you can if you're wearing something flattering if that's what you want to do or care about. At my different weights, I definitely learned about different cuts/styles that worked at some times and not at others. And especially if your interest is fashion (which it can be no matter your size), you should be able to use pictures to help you make your decisions and streamline the process. This is one reason why models exist.0 -
BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »She's modeling clothing, clothing meant for women similar to her. Her lifestyle and health have nothing to do with it. It's refreshing because now women of her body type (and there are a lot) have a better idea of what clothing will look like on them.
I don't know how to say this without sounding extremely rude, but do they really need to see a model their size to know what clothing will look on them? I'm sorry but I wasn't anywhere near that size and I could already tell you that NOTHING looked good on me, because I had too much fat.
I'm not fat and would like to see what clothing would look like on a woman more similar to me than most models are.
It's appears that you had some issues accepting yourself at a heavier weight. I do not agree that NOTHING looks good on overweight/obese women. I think that model is very pretty. Finding clothing you like and are confident in should be possible at any size. You don't just have to give up on style because you are heavy. And to address your earlier point, making plus size clothing ugly and hard to find will NOT motivate most people to lose weight. It just won't. Shame and negative reinforcement just doesn't work. It doesn't work for children and it doesn't work for obese people.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I find it sad and a little disturbing that anyone would look to a model of any size as promting a lifestyle. They are there to sell something.
Agreed. Models are selling product, not lifestyle or even health. Unless, of course, they're a fitness model.
Even then, physical appearance isn't always a good indicator of health. I have no idea how healthy she is, just like I have no idea how healthy the average 5'10" size 0 model is. I think she's beautiful, but it really doesn't matter. It only matters (to the advertiser) that they have gotten my attention.
I do think it's nice to see different bodies represented in the media. As well as different ages, etc.0 -
GingerbreadCandy wrote: »On the other hand, as someone who has done nude drawings a lot, with people of various sizes, I do agree with the notion that beauty is not a size. Unfortunately beauty does not equal healthy (which also applies at all sizes)
To an extent, IMO.
Well, it is obviously subjective, but a good artist or photographer will generally be able to capture beauty in just about anything and anyone. Lightning, framing and concept will play a massive role in it, of course. So I do believe it is possible to find beauty at any size, although I wouldn't find people of every size beautiful.
That was my thought process when I wrote that, anyhow.
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I don't have an issue so much with her as a model. Bigger people need clothes too and I hate seeing a size six model modeling for plus sized only lines. What I do have an issue with is her trying to convince the world that she (and others) can be healthy with that much body fat. If people want to be fat, that's fine, more power to them. But they have to understand the risks that come with it. And I think it's irresponsible to tell younger people that being over weight is healthy.0
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Who cares? Mind your own business!
I am not in the "fat acceptance" crowd, but I mean really - why do people care so damn much about what other people do/look like? If a girl/guy wants to be fat - let them!0 -
Completely unrelated – while I couldn't care less about the model herself, the people in the comments are making me cry.0
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I follow some #curvyyoga posts on instagram. I'm amazed that women as large as they are can contort themselves into poses that I can only dream of doing right now. I told my boyfriend that for some reason I felt uncomfortable with it, but wasn't sure why. I think it's my own insecurity that I wouldn't want to be that fat, not that they are fat. A lot of the girls are either in the midst of their weight loss journey, happy with where they are, or have other issues that are causing the higher weight. I'm proud of them for being proud of who they are and what they can do.0
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