A sad reflection on confusing weight loss and dieting messages!
Unless you live a life totally disconnected you can’t get away from seeing the gorgeously fit and perfect models and actors portrayed as our normal, real neighbors. Everywhere you turn magazines, television, and the internet, market to us in this fashion. This causes us to question our body shapes, thoughts, and habits and why we don’t look like the persons in the marketing we see around us. How can someone not feel less than ideal when the fashion, fitness and entertainment industries have misshaped the healthy versions of being human?
Take for example the models for full size clothing. Do you realize that most of them actually fall into the weight and height charts for healthy and average people? And we are led to believe these models are BIG and NOT NORMAL! The tags on the advertising state “Big and Tall” or “Fuller Women” as if they are not normal. We are receiving a marketing mixed, unhealthy message! And how do we find a way to feel good about our bodies with these messages bombarding us daily? How do we stand a chance in society when we are supposed to never make or show a spandex curve in our leggings? Or have a bit of fullness in our shape and instead we long for clothing loosely draped on a tiny, slight figure?
No wonder our society has focused on body dissatisfaction. It has become the norm AND we have been duped to support the multi-billion dollar weight and fitness industry. It is a sad commentary on the state of our mental and physical well-being.
Well, I am not one who wants to support
the weight loss industry in this fashion. Using shame, fear, and frustration are not the way to motivate someone for a life time in health and wellness. The concern with what we see in the mirror not matching what we see in the advertising for many begins a terrible dieting and exercise cycle that simply is not serving a healthy well life. Men and women are at war with their bodies where the enemy is fat, and the ally is thin. This has to stop someplace, so I am putting the line in sand! Enough is enough.
It is not realistic to say…”Just unplug” to fix this fantasy vision of health. I believe the answer to defeating this downward spiraling cycle is to expose the fantasy and false marketing for what it is. And to show how to refocus the message by supporting the individual and working to identifying healthy habits to promote what makes someone feel good. It is a keystone folks. The laser beam of learning needs to be self-care, reflection and continuous progress! Once healthy habits are added to fit into a lifestyle the process begins to allow movement to find authentic and ideal personal weight and fitness. It is not to say one should disregard liking a beautiful reflection in the mirror or the feeling of wearing clothing that feels loose. However, those are the side effects not the focus. The promotion of respecting and appreciating oneself first will go a long way in allowing the reflection in the mirror to be a friend and not a foe.
This is my message! I am Alicia Cost with Cost Effective RD. The real deal…R.D. – A registered dietitian that believes everyone can find their path in wellness! Join me today by scheduling a discovery call using this link.
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