Rise Of the Real People

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  • Posted By: mscarr1 @ 01/29/2008 3:24:52 PM

    Men and women want what they are conditioned to want. At one point in history "fat" (aka Zoftig) was considered the ideal body shape.

    Unfortunately - humans are like guinea pigs - if we are fed the same images over and over and over and over we will begin to associate the images however we have been fed them.

    And, there is a significant difference between someone who is 5ft10in and is 110 pounds and someone who is 5ft10in and is 150 pounds....Fashion rejects the second person - but she is the health one. Not the first girl.....who is malnourished, bony and unhealthy.

  • Posted By: PuppyT @ 01/29/2008 2:53:44 PM

    Most women don't look like runway models. Most Men can not play Football like Brett Favre. I am nowhere near a model. So what. Let's let the professionals have at it! I bet few of them are clawing and whining that they are not professional CPA's or Marketing Specialist. We all have stuff we are good at and stuff we are not good at. Big Deal.

  • Posted By: MissyE @ 01/29/2008 1:59:29 PM

    I am 35 years old, have 2 children, am 5ft 10 inches tall and weigh 130. I have always been thin. I have never tried to be thin. I have been chided for being "skinny" and all the pejoratives out there. Guess what? I am just as real as a woman twice my size. I love the skin I'm in. My husband thinks I'm a gem and I really don't think idolizing a specific size is healthy. And it's even worse if we're adjusting due to America's expanding waist line. The fact of the matter is, America is TOO FAT and some of the items that reach our plates are trash. Some women have curves, some do not. All of them are beautiful if well maintained and respected. A beautiful woman radiates in ratty clothes, haute couture, or naked. You'll see it in her clear eyes, glowing skin, healthy smile, energy, and happy spirit.

  • Posted By: Brandimike @ 01/29/2008 1:51:04 PM

    Anorexia is not beautiful! I work with anorexic clients as a counselor, and trust me, while many of these clients are in the modeling industry, it is nonetheless an ugly disease that makes you very very sick. I think the sad part lies in the fact that a woman can't just be who she is, regardless of what her body looks like. Men, for example, can be fat, disgusting, and rude and be made famous, respected etc etc. If a woman is fat? She is totally screwed, even if she is truly a lovely, beautiful person. Fashion should be accessible to everyone; even someone who is overweight deserves to love herself.

  • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/28/2008 5:00:43 PM

    So many of the women posting here only think in extremes, believing that they can only either have a BMI over 25 and wear a size 16 dress, or they think they have to eat nothing but a handful of lettuce and look like a stick-figure with a BMI under 17 size 0 dress. I would like to point out that it is entirely possible to be in the middle, and in fact THAT would be ideal. Look at Sports Illustrated or Victoria's Secret models who most men find FAR more attractive than the average high-fashion runway model. Those girls train themselves hard, eat a balanced diet, and usually maintain a BMI around 20 and wear a size 6. And I guarantee they are far healthier and fitter than any of the size 16 "healthy" girls who have commented here so far. Ladies, you can achieve that as well. You just need to educate yourselves and make it a priority. You aren't limited by time, and you aren't limited by genetics. We can all control our bodies with knowledge, effort, and some dedication.

    • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/28/2008 5:45:36 PM

      Oh, and before the issue of time comes up, let's remember that we all get an equal 24 hours a day. In general, we tend to succeed at the things we place near the top of our list of priorities. If you can squeeze in just 30 minutes of SERIOUS activity (again, not walking or yoga or pilates) somewhere between "work" and "watching Oprah", you'll probably see some results. More importantly, eating well doesn't take up any extra time. Just know what your body requires and what you are putting into it. Even if you ate at McDonald's every day you can be successful so long as you know what you are doing.

      • Posted By: mrsavizdrav @ 01/29/2008 1:43:56 PM

        I am 37 years old 5'6" 123 lbs. I never work out. I never starve myself. I never eat out. I cook all the food for my family from scratch. I take care of my yard (it's the most beautifull in the neighborhood). I showel the snow off my driveway. I wash my car.
        You don't have to go to the gym in order to be thin and healthy.

      • Posted By: C_Liz_B @ 01/29/2008 12:37:11 PM

        Okay, Tim. Your little comment about getting in some "serious activity somewhere between work and watching Oprah" has really struck a chord with me. By that comment alone, I know that you are not a family man. I am an average woman. A little on the short side at 5'2" and weighing just under 150. I eat healthy. My meals consist of fresh fruit for breakfast, a salad or single serving of "Special K" for lunch and a regular dinner. And by regular, I mean meat (either grilled, baked or broiled, not fried) a vegetable (either boiled or steamed) and a carb. This is a meal that I prepare for my FAMILY. While at the same time doing dishes, laundry and helping with homework (and let's not forget I coach soccer twice a week before coming home to make this meal). By the time lunches are packed and laundry is put away, my "serious activity" needing butt is worn out and finally sitting around 9:30pm because I just put the kid to bed. Not everyone has time to kill in the gym before going home to an empty apartment. I work from 7am to 4:30pm M-F. Making healthy meals for my family does take extra time, and my family is "near the top" of my priority list. So every morning, when I'm dressing my size 10 butt...you can kiss it. There's an activity for ya.

        • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/29/2008 12:56:28 PM

          Liz, there is nothing wrong with all of that. I didn't say "You MUST make physical fitness a top priority or you are worthless." I just said that if you do make it (or anything else) a priority, then you will see results. If that is not one of your priorities because you have other things going on in life, then that's fine. I'm not saying you are a bad person. The priorities we have are what make us unique individuals. Your life is what it is, we do what makes us most happy. Why are you getting so hostile and telling me to "kiss it"?

      • Posted By: MARIESIEH @ 01/29/2008 10:01:38 AM

        Tim,
        I don't understand your issue against walking or pilates.. I am 115lbs, 5'2". I do 20 mins of pilates four times a week and walk for one hour five times a week. I eat well and I am healthy and very attractive if I may say so myself... and by the way I am 43 years old and have two kids. Exercise like everything else is an individual thing. I think the most important thing is to know what works for you and what makes you happy. Do you know what I mean? Maybe running or intense cardio will make me even fitter (and by all accounts I am pretty fit) but would it make me a happier better person, mother??? I THINK NOT!!

        • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/29/2008 11:10:57 AM

          Marie, while I have no doubt that you are healthy and attractive, I credit none of that to your pilates and walking. You are the way you are simply because of your eating habits (which all women would be better served to adopt). There are many women out there, however, whose metabolisms are extremely depressed such that simply restricting calories will not allow them to lose any fat. The only way to increase the metabolism is through "heavy", progressive strength training. In fact, I prefer the term "training for strength" as it implies performance goals and building muscle, not just working out for the sake of working out. This is what most women need to jump-start the slow metabolism that they blame for being overweight. Walking (i.e. the most efficient mode of transportation we have) and pilates are simply not intense or progressive enough to do this.

          And no, none of this has anything to do with making anyone a "happier, better person". It just means that a lot of women could be more fit or more attractive. Take that for what it is worth. If it makes you happier and feel better about yourself, then great. I don't understand why so many people here take it so personally if someone says, "You are overweight and that is unattractive". How is that any different from saying, "You aren't a good singer/dancer/artist/etc..."? This is not the single thing that defines you as a human being.

      • Posted By: MARIESIEH @ 01/29/2008 10:08:15 AM

        Tim,
        I don't understand your issues against walking or pilates. I am 5'2" - 115lbs. I do pilates for 20 mins four times a week and walk for one hour five times a week. I am by all acounts pretty fit and attractive.. and by the way I am 43 and have two kids. I think like many things, exercise is an individual thing. You have to know your body and what works for you and makes you happy. Would I be even fitter if instead of walking I ran or did intense cardio, probably... Would I be happier??? DEFINETLY NOT!!!

    • Posted By: phdcandidate19 @ 01/28/2008 5:07:22 PM

      The majority also have breast implants, are generally tall 5' 8'' and up, and have long lean torso's. I guess according to your argument genectics plays no role whatsoever;t hus if I work out hard I too can grow to be 5' 8'' and overcome my short torso. Encouraging people to be healthy and active is the right idea no one size is or shape is right for all. Great comments by Catmagick and Cool Cat.

      • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/28/2008 5:23:24 PM

        When I talk about not being limited by genetics, I'm referring to the women who say "I just have a slow metabolism" and similar comments as evidence why they can't be any smaller than size 16. That is not genetic, as so many people seem to believe. If those women performed some substantial activity (not "aerobics", not yoga, not pilates, not walking, and so on) and built some muscle they would feel much healthier, truly be more fit, and see their metabolisms go through the roof. I think many women would be surprised at how much weight the average Sport Illustrated swimsuit model can lift. That said, I don't mean that anyone can grace the cover of that magazine. I'm just pointing out that there is a more healthy middle ground and 99% are capable of being in there. Is that such a bad message?

  • Posted By: tishylynn @ 01/28/2008 3:37:04 PM

    Seeing healthy women on the runways make me worry less. I am a mother of one son and three daughters and it worries me sick to think about them with eating disorders. My eldest daughter is 9 and stick thin. She made a comment to my 6 yr. old about being overweight and the other girls won't like that at school. I about fell to the floor when i heard that come out of my daughters mouth. We have never talked of being overweight about anyone. I have always taught them that everyone is the same nomatter what they look like. I feed my children healthy food and we are a very active family. We are always playing sports and my daughters are all cheerleaders. My 9 yr. old is 54 lbs. and my 6 yr. old is 56 lbs. My younger daughter is very tall for her age and she is thicker around the waist. Not chubby or fat. She only wears a size 5. As for myself, i am a size 10. I think it is a good idea to see more famous healthy women. It makes me sick to hear of elem, children already degrading each other because of their size. We need to worry about our children.

    • Posted By: mrsavizdrav @ 01/29/2008 1:09:09 PM

      You say your daughter is "thicker around her waist". I'm sure she doesn't look fat, but that kind of body shape is unhealthy. The latest findings show that people carying fat around their waist are at a lot higher risk of hart problems and diabetes, than those with big bottoms. Now, what I see among the young girls is really alarming. Many have skinny legs, no butts, and huge bellies. It looks like it has something to do with certain chemicals in food and soft drinks, that have hormone -like properties.

  • Posted By: jamis1221 @ 01/29/2008 11:29:55 AM

    I agree this is about fashion and what sells, and as a consumer I hate the idea of fat models! Healthy models are a fantastic idea, they promote the healthy body image that people should strive for. Not everyone is 6'2 and a stick, but some are, i would like to see a healthy 5'4 model, but not a fat one.I think using fat models (obese) is a statement for our societys acceptance of lack of physical activity and a general laziness, because dispite the people who are using excuses to justify being overweight it is unacceptable. And what people view of that is lazieness. Yes it is wrong to judge people and I beleive everyone is beautiful in their own way, but that is what generally people think. I think that people should recognize that you dont have to consume your life with exercise, but there is no excuse to not get at least 30min a day. Everyone who says they are genetically made to be overweight...bull....i challenge you to go the next three weeks working out 30min a day and see the results. Healthy=Sexy

    • Posted By: cynthea @ 01/29/2008 12:53:16 PM

      I am a 37 year old ex-model. I have battled with my weight for years and had various jobs that needed me to lose 20 lbs or gain 20 lbs. I did everything from Muscle and Fitness magazine to bikini, fashion,gowns covers etc. I never fit the runway look but had to stay under 90 lbs most of the time. I am 4'11' and now have lots of health issues like thyroid, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, degenorative bone disease, and spurs up and down my back, lordosis, and now I was recently diagnosed with rhumetiod arthritis. Alot of these my doctor of 25 yrs associates with my modling days. Not just the dieting and excessive exercising but the travling,flights early morn. and late night photo shoots, the promotions and all of that which goes with it is a 24 hour job. I did not know and I know these girls don't care like I didn't when i was younger I suffer now more than I can explain and am now walking with a cane and cannot work anymore. I still have my looks but nothing else and I wish just one person would have cared enough to teel me the risks of dieting so much for so long. I started modling at 12 yrs and stopped at 32 with the onset of my thyroid disease and could no longer control my weight. I hope just one person can get something out of this. I hope the modeling industry will realize how many beautiful young lady's are out there that are not stick thin and sickly looking. t only looks good on camera if you could even say that.myspursuemetiod arthritis on top of it. My backa nd neck are covered in spurs and my sdiscs

      • Posted By: jamis1221 @ 01/29/2008 1:08:06 PM

        Cynthia, that is so sad. I think your story exemplifies the attention that needs to be paid to healthy living. Asking you to gain and drop 20lbs is so irresponsible, and I am sure that your story is the reality end of a career in modeling. I am sure you are a beautiful woman inside and out. Have an amazing day.

  • Posted By: Oakburg @ 01/29/2008 12:06:04 PM

    Dear kookooo, while I applaud your sense of self-esteem, I need to point out that your BMI is 24.9 and that poses a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than that among leaner women (Am. J. Epidemiol. Vol. 145, Nr. 7. Pages 614-619). Your current weight is not healthy. You do not have to go to BMI 18 and it's your right not to be skinny but you should at least go to a truly healthy BMI of 22-23 (e.g. lose 10-15 pounds). We have a Diabetic epidemic and it does not help to create or live with an illusion that overweight is healthy. It's not a matter of beauty, it's a matter of health, costs of healthcare and quality of life in later years.

    • Posted By: sn1221 @ 01/29/2008 12:57:13 PM

      Oakburg, You need to do a little more research into Body Mass Index norms before you go around pronouncing perfectly healthy women overweight or at higher risk for chronic disease. 24.9 is a healthy BMI, and 154 lbs is absolutely within the healthy weight range for a woman who is 5'6", especially if she has a thicker-set bone structure and/or strength trains or runs.

      Further, BMI is quite inaccurate withotu taking into account body fat percentages (which are a far better indicator of overall health and disease risk than BMI). I am also 5'6" and weigh 155 lbs; I have a 39" bust, 28' waist and 38" hips and a body fat percentage of 21% (which is healthy for a woman).

      BTW, having a low body fat percentage for a woman is also unhealthy, espcially in regards to childbearing. The fat laid down in the hip area of a woman provides the store of DHA and other brain-building substances for developing babies; studies have shown that pear-shaped (or hourglass shaped) women have babies with higher IQ's than other women, and that we are actually at lower risk for heart disease (also due to the fat -- Omega 3's and 6's this time).

      Kookoo, you continue to feel absolutey wonderful about your shape and size. The point here is that *real* women have curves; we are not, and never should be, bony, starving waifs, and I am thrilled to see the fasion industry finally embracing the shape of real women instead of designing for stick figures.

      For more interesting reading on this subject, search out Fatima Mernissi's "Size Six: The Western Women's Harem." Very insteresting reading.

  • Posted By: phdcandidate @ 01/28/2008 3:31:05 PM

    I find it encouraging that the runway is starting to use real people. There are all different shapes and sizes out there, and not everyone can achieve the current media ideal. I agree with previous comments that we should get our children to be active. If only the economy (and the expected ideal of living) could allow for one parent to stay home or work part time to give better care. If parents could find the time, we could prepare healthier meals, play with our children, and take the time to teach them manners. Unfortunately to maintain a middle class status both parents usually have to work. I find that our increasing work hours, expanding waistlines, and exceedingly violent society are all connected. We need some pretty extreme changes and I don't see them coming anytime soon, curse that infernal industrial revolution. Maybe if we could just go back to simpler times we might find ourselves less liberated and educated, but with better health and more time for our children. If we could stop being bombarded my the ideal media image, we could focus on the inner and outer qualities that make us all unique. A great step in the right direction, I look forward to seeing more real sized models.

    • Posted By: mrsavizdrav @ 01/29/2008 12:46:59 PM

      You say "to maintain a middle class status"... well, that's the problem. People want too much material things and forget about their health. I bet there are a lot of people that take a better care of their cars than their own bodies.
      "phdcandidate" sounds smart and I'm sure you are a very smart person, and if you want to put some effort you can find a way to work less and have a more balanced family life. I was working on my Ph.D. when I decided to give up and be a stay-at-home mom. I now work part-time in a quite different field and of course make a lot less money, but my family has home cooked healthy meals every day for lunch and dinner, we have time to play outside and walk, teach our kid the real values in life... English is my third language, sorry if I made some mistakes.

  • Posted By: jamis1221 @ 01/29/2008 12:37:16 PM

    Ashley, there are a number of reasons you are at that plateau. You prob need to increase the intensity of your work out, also, it does sound like you are not getting enough from your meals! I think it is awesome that you are comitted to getting healthy, but your comment kind of scared me. Someone that active should be seeing better results. Your body will aclamate to your workout, you may want to talk to your trainer at your gym and see if they cant offer you some insight into areas of your workout that need some reving up!....

  • Posted By: coko @ 01/29/2008 12:36:44 PM

    most designers enjoy having trademarks about their design types, whether it's a color, cut, consumer group, accessory, whatever, why can't they also designate their own model type? designer A may still use the skinny little blonde that's 6'2" but another may use only 5'6 model that have a specific hip to inseam ratio, whatever it is, they could just call that the standard by which they design their runway clothing, then, clothing lines or designers could advertize themselves not just by clothing, but the models who show it off, giving even more distinction to each designer

  • Posted By: Sezah @ 01/29/2008 12:31:47 PM

    If by "real people" they mean "models with flesh" then it's true, but still I see no blemishes, dimples, bruises, calouses, glasses, split ends, off-white teeth or shorties! That's still a long way from real.

  • Posted By: joystar @ 01/29/2008 12:06:02 PM

    you don't better a situation by doing the complete opposite. I agree with lexxe39's comment. Real women that look good and are healthy, not fat not anorexic, healthy. They don't need to have 6 pack abs, they don't need fakies, they instead need to just look strong and healthy. That is inspiring.

  • Posted By: merarperu@yahoo.com @ 01/29/2008 11:56:40 AM

    Bravo! Even if I am a thin person and many times people had suggested me to be a model I think that it is not fair to represent the mayority of people whos are overweight. We need to have more realistic perspectives
    mershe.

  • Posted By: lexxe39 @ 01/29/2008 11:44:42 AM

    First of all you are going from anorexic skinny to fat? These are not real woman not all woman are fat in today's society. When I look at a fashion magazine I want to see beauty and a model with a good body. Sometimes you see ads and they are extremely skinny and ugly. Where are the models that are beautiful and work out. I don't think a tall skinny boylike figure is attractive. Where are the real woman the ones that work out and have curves? Look for those types!!

  • Posted By: kookoo @ 01/29/2008 11:44:00 AM

    It's about time!! I am 5'6 and 154lbs and I am so happy to see that my daughters will hopefully see other healthy women that look more like their mom and not someone who they will never be able to look like. I want my girls to be healthy and happy. Not consumed with trying to look like models that are a size 0 and are unhealthy. Now it's Hollywood's turn to take notice and stop pressuring actresses to attain an unhealthy weight. I am just so sick and tired of double standards. Why is that we never hear anyone reporting about the physic of male models or actors? Women need to continue to speak up and let the world know that we have had enough of the explotation of our bodies, ENOUGH!!

  • Posted By: kegaco312 @ 01/29/2008 11:42:57 AM

    this is the best that has happened in a long time. not all of us are clothes hangers.

  • Posted By: juliaisabel @ 01/29/2008 10:57:35 AM

    For pity's sake... weight is just a number. What business is it of anyone else what YOUR scale says. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a full busy life with my career, children, husband and family. If I had the time in the day or inclination to spend mocking, or commenting on other peoples weight, height, color, disability or other facet of their appearance, what expense would it be at? Does it make me feel better? Am I their doctor to judge if they are healthy or not? How does their life affect mine that I believe I have the right to tell them what is or is not healthy or good for them? When you feel low, go and do something for yourself, don't point out other people and how YOU feel superior to them for their flaws as perceived in YOUR eyes. I guarantee, for every woman or man whom you judge to be ugly in your opinion, there are those in their lives that find them beautiful. Your WORDS and ACTIONS are what makes you truly beautiful or ugly. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but no matter what one sees, if the mouth opens and ugliness spews from it, no amount of cosmetics can make it beautiful. Likewise, if you see nothing beautiful in an appearance, yet words and deeds reflect beauty, suddenly a smile seems so much prettier and you begin to see beauty where you may not have before. Human nature may not allow you to escape the instinct to judge a book by its cover related to your own DNA material requirements in a mate, but don't let cattiness, bi*chiness and snobbery in what YOU think you'd like to see reflected in those surrounding you be a poison in your own or others lives. You owe yourself better than that.

    • Posted By: timwalsh300 @ 01/29/2008 11:41:16 AM

      Julia, if someone says "You are fat and that isn't attractive", why do take that as a direct insult to who you are as a person? Nobody here is saying that overweight women are evil, bad, worthless people - just that they aren't attractive and shouldn't be held up as a physical ideal. And how is that any different from saying, "You are a bad singer so you shouldn't be on the radio", or "You are not creative so you shouldn't be making art." These are just simple statements of fact. Whether or not you are physically attractive doesn't define you or your total value as a human being. Get over it or make your physique a priority and change it.

  • Posted By: mak3 @ 01/29/2008 11:39:11 AM

    although somr of the comments listed below are trur he need not be so harsh.
    the entire American population suffers from obesity. This should be addressed. Celebrating obesity as an acceptable norm is not the way. Forget the outward appearance and focus on the malnurished masses and their doom. A life plagued with mounting health risk at either end of the scale is not to be celebrated.
    Americans are facing weight concerns of epedemic proportion. It's no laughing matter.

  • Posted By: kookoo @ 01/29/2008 11:36:08 AM

    It's about time!! I am 5'6 and 148lbs and am so happy to see that my daughters will now see other healthy women that look more like their mom and not someone who they will never be able to look like. I want my girls to be healthy and happy. Not consumed with trying to look like models that are a size 0 and are unhealthy. Now it's Hollywood's turn to take notice and stop pressuring actresses to attain an unhealthy weight. I am just so sick and tired of double standards. Why is it always the physic of women being discussed, you never read or hear anyone reporting about the physic of male models or actors? Women truly need to continue to stand up and say that we have had enough of the exploitation of our bodies, ENOUGH!!!

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