The Skinny on "Fat Chics"

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The Skinny on Fat Chics.
"Big Girls" Naked Photo Shoot - Fall's New Trend?

Glamour Magazine is featuring a photo spread of naked "plus sized" models this Fall. The spread comes in response to the outpouring of support after a pictorial of plus sized model Lizzie Miller sporting only a thong and a beautiful smile.

Apparently, the definition of "plus size" model is anything larger than a size 6. The photo spread will include 7 plus size models ranging from size 8-16. (FYI - I don't think these girls are fat, but perhaps much of the anorexic fashion world does, as they seem to find size 6 fat too).

I fully support Glamour's efforts, and it's new promise to start featuring women of all shapes and sizes, instead of just the boney waifs we normally see. Though I personally do not consider size 8 to be plus sized, especially since I know many size 8 women who don't have an ounce of fat on them. And, to any chubby chasers out there, I hate to burst your bubble, but I don't think you'll get your "fix" when you see these photos. Truth is, they look like normal women. Women sans the airbrushing, sans the eating disorder.

What irks me about most magazines, including supposedly healthy image mags like "Shape," is that they ALL Photoshop. They even Photoshop women who ARE size zero by adding abs, or trimming down curves here or there, or making their faced look like there isn't a line, a wrinkle, a freckle or any expression whatsoever. Even Kelly Ripa, who in my opinion has the body of a 12 year old boy (not attractive Kelly) admitted that when she was on the cover of a magazine sporting a bikini they airbrushed her, including making her belly button an "inny" when it's really an "outtie."

It's sad because our entire culture gets brainwashed into thinking these women are the "norm." There are plenty of insanely gorgeous women -models, actresses, TV personas, who appear in magazines that no doubt do NOT need air-brushing! They go from being unbelievably gorgeous to completely un-human and unachievable for anyone that doesn't care to go into debt for plastic surgery.

I for one stopped subscribing to these magazines a few years back and now mainly get cooking, wine and travel magazines. I just found that when I looked at this stuff, I ended up second guessing myself and not feeling "good" about my very "real" looks (no surgery here, thank you!) I would love to coordinate with a bunch of other bloggers / women to some day to do a challenge to give up all the cheesy mags for a few months and see how it impacts your self esteem. Let's discuss that, any takers? (of course, it is nearly impossible to travel without this mindless stuff, so vacations don't count :) )

I especially think about how these magazines and the "Hollywood/fashion" culture impact young girls. At least for me, I'm old enough to be comfortable in my own skin and not influenced by this stuff, but for teenage girls, and even younger, it can be brutal. I think it is more vital than ever for parents to instill really healthy attitudes toward food, exercise, and self esteem.

Why not let our bodies go to where they need to be by eating healthy, exercising, and taking great "care" of ourselves and seeing what weight that takes us too? Is it really about the number on the scale or the size of your dress, or is it about overall health? I guarantee if you eat right and exercise you are not going to be overweight, so why torture yourself by obsessing over every calorie you ingest or stepping on the scale 10 times a day or feeling competitive with your friends?

In fact, I think it is crucial to have a healthy relationship with food! You HAVE to eat after all, and you can still achieve a stunning figure by eating right - NOT starving - and exercising. Doesn't it sound more enjoyable to be able to eat and still look like a straight up fox?

I know I'm not a guy, so maybe my opinion is less important to some, but I personally think it's disgusting when women are too skinny. Bones jetting out, every rib showing = makes Cameron want to eat a double cheeseburger. SO GROSS!

So, applause to Glamour for stepping outside the typical boundaries of a women's magazine and showing some female figure diversity. It's about damn time.

Must get another blog post soon to find out - What do MEN really like? Super skinny girls, or someone who is fit, but has a tush and some meat on her bones! coming soon...

In the meantime, Monkey Readers Where do YOU stand on the super skinny vs. curvy girls? What do YOU think of Glamour's efforts??

As Always, Email me your vexing dilemmas~!
Conquerthemonkey@hotmail.com

http://www.kansascity.com/stargazing/story/1484248.html

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