Are magazines our friend or foe?

Princesspriala
Princesspriala Posts: 5
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
I was sitting in front of the TV last night while flipping through a magazine when i suddenly stopped and realized that all i was doing was checking out all the super-skinny models. I wasn't reading any of the interesting articles, or checking out the new recipes or even looking at the fashion and beauty pages. Considering i spent a whole $9.75 on the bloody thing, i found myself asking what would possess me to buy this magazine just to look at and envy all the skinny beautiful models gracing the pages through-out?
Was it my escape from my own body image and issues, or was it my inspiration for losing weight? Was i comparing myself and hoping deep down that one day, if i work hard enough i might somehow look like one of those models? DENIAL. And if those models were size 14, 16 or even 12 (in todays world this is considered fat), would i no longer want to buy the magazine or would i just read all the interesting articles, recipes, etc and not even notice the "fat" models?
Yes, magazines are full of skinny people, not fat ones and yes, people complain and say that there should be more "normal" sized women featured in these magazines. Yes, magazines can contribute to weight-issues in women and men and sadly, even children and if we had normal sized women featured in these magazines, would the idea to be fat be to be accepted into todays society?I've found that magazines, depending on which ones you buy, can be real inspiration for losing weight, wanting to be fit and happy and healthy an looking after our selfs, while on the other hand can create absolute havoc on those suffering from body image issues. Is it normal to look at these skinny models and think "that is what i am supposed to look like" ? At the end of the day, are magazines our friend...or foe?

Replies

  • July
    July Posts: 239
    But today's "normal" size is getting bigger and bigger - it's now normal to be slightly overweight. I think the normalizing of being overweight is hurting our public health - people kept telling me that I didn't have to lose any weight, even though I was clearly chubby at 20 pounds over my ideal weight.
  • CinthyNair
    CinthyNair Posts: 261
    I recall hearing a remark from a total stranger when i passed them by " she's a pretty face, too bad for the body though" ....

    hmmph! society is enough to make us depressed, let alone looking at those glossy expensive magazines and all you see are skinny models flaunting away their body.

    rational tells me i should not be affected by these pictures, but one can't help it when they look so good and more importantly confident! For once in my life i would like to know what that feels like ...

    and finally, i am taking charge to do something about it too ... NO, NOT TO LOOKS LIKE THOSE SKINNY MODELS, but to lose the excess weight for health purposes. I bet the confidence bit will come naturally thereafter :)

    P/S: I started wearing heels after 9 yrs of flat shoes! To me, that's one step closer to CONFIDENCE :)

    So gurl, don't worry about what you see out there ... what matters is what is in the inside, and it will naturally show on the outside eventually

    Cheers :)
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    The models in those magazines don't even look like the models in those magazines- EVERYone is Photoshopped beyond recognition. Waists are pulled in tighter, boobs are lifted higher, hair is perfected, dark circles and blemishes are removed. Have you ever Photoshopped a photo of yourself? I have, and it's not hard to look just as amazing as those models- unfortunately, it's all fake. :smile:
  • Princesspriala
    Princesspriala Posts: 5
    Thanks Brenda, you tend to start to forget that photo-shop part of it, but since you've reminded me i must admit i am feeling a little better. I don't want to photo-shop myself, because i want to look in the mirror without make-up and with all my flaws and to one day just accept myself for who i am and to be just happy. :-)
  • Princesspriala
    Princesspriala Posts: 5
    Thanks girls...you've all reminded me that what i see in those magazines is not reality and i just need to try not to let it affect me in any way...that, or not buy the bloody magazines in the first place! Cheers :-)
  • dewdrop
    dewdrop Posts: 1,715 Member
    rational tells me i should not be affected by these pictures, but one can't help it when they look so good and more importantly confident! For once in my life i would like to know what that feels like ...

    I wouldn't bet my money on them feeling confident. They are people, too. They look in the mirror as critical as any of us. They gain a pound and get desperate. Some gain lots of pounds after their tours are over or after they stop modelling, because they finally take a break (from starving themselves). Plus, looking skinny is their job. They don't have to go to work as you, they don't have a desk job and they don't really raise their on kids, do they?

    Now that being said, yes, there's no reason for saying "I'm a normal person, I can be overweight" and letting go. Health is the MOST important thing - not the looks. Exercising, eating healthy - you do that to improve your quality of life and that of people around you. You are worth the hard work and the sacrifice (of that tempting twix bar or yummy chocolate cookie).

    If you want to be confident, start TODAY! You are special, you are woth it and you can do it! Every little pound lost is a victory. Worth 10 times more than being born skinny and staying like the effortless, but being less fit. Good luck and keep up the good work :flowerforyou: .

    Oh, and one more thing. The same society that sells us the image of perfect bodies (on Magazines, on TV, in the videoclips, on the internet, in the airport comercials) bombs us with advertisements for yummy icecream, tasty chocolate bars, a-must-have fast food menu and so on. Create your own world - be the one who chooses what you take in from what you are offered :flowerforyou: .
  • sjmay
    sjmay Posts: 386 Member
    I know exactly what you mean! I'm forever looking through magazines and wishing... or I WAS anyway. I really noticed it about 2 years ago, when I was planning for my wedding. I would see a model with a dress, and fall in love. Then when I went to a store and tried on the dress, I would feel awful. I didn't look near as great as the woman in the ad. Eventually I found a dress that wasn't in any magazine. And when it was my wedding day, I felt more beautiful than any of the models I had seen. That was the most important thing to me, and it was also a learning experience. I am me. I will never be anyone else. Sure, models, after being photoshoped, may look great, but I can too! At any size...

    Yes, I want to lose weight. Yes, I want to be healthy. But, I will not starve myself, and I will work very hard. I will be a thinner version of myself, but be fit - and with muscle! The main thing is that I love me for me no matter what the outside is.
  • sjmay
    sjmay Posts: 386 Member
    Oh, and one more thing. The same society that sells us the image of perfect bodies (on Magazines, on TV, in the videoclips, on the internet, in the airport comercials) bombs us with advertisements for yummy icecream, tasty chocolate bars, a-must-have fast food menu and so on. Create your own world - be the one who chooses what you take in from what you are offered :flowerforyou: .

    Great point!
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