Alright?!
Pretty excited about posting again after my "time out", and if I'm honest, looking forward to subduing the "you-haven't-blogged-in-AGES" comments... I know. I have been slack.
Been so busy though! Moved into my new flat, spent a lot of time down in Devon and generally been doing things to keep busy... But since I never get the same response for my personal blog posts, I'll assume none of you care about what I've been getting up to in my absence, so let's move swiftly on... ;)
Swiftly on to... Fatkinis and women's body issues! Ha, I know.. way to segregate my male/female readership! Sorry guys. Just for you though, I'll include some images of hot girls in bikinis for you to look at for a bit- I'm sure that will keep you interested for a minute or two.(Girls in little clothing seem to be a reocurring theme for me and my blog- I'm not going to read too much into that...)
So I don't know if any of you guys have heard about the xoJane and Gabi Fresh Fatkini gallery? But basically, in a nutshell, it's a gallery created by blogger Gabi in protest against the media's obsession with girls getting "bikini ready" and having to look like a Victoria's Secret model in order to be accepted in swimwear. Gabi has encouraged the larger ladies of the general American public to submit their pictures for entry into the gallery, and 31 ladies have obliged (images to come).
I think initially it is important to gain an insight into what Gabi is making a stand against, so here's a look at how the media think girls should look in the summer... (Guys, this is your bit):
So, I think it is pretty evident that this idea of getting "bikini ready" and getting a "beach body" is pretty well represented in press. And it does put the pressure on! Of course it does.
I guess it is this pressure that is the reason Gabi is protesting. Why should we all adhere to one perception of "beauty"? Which, is actually subjective. And it is, in fact, only the preaching of the media which has led us to believe that, for girls, smaller is better. Why shouldn't women be comfortable and proud of the way they look and always feel comfortable in what they choose to wear? Preferably, without being judged.
So now let's flip the table and take a look at some of these women willing to make a stand against the "normal" "bikini ready body"....
This is when things get a little dangerous for me, as, I guess now, it's time to give my opinion...
Basically, I think that anything that gives people confidence, especially women with body concerns, is always a positive thing. With the ridiculous amount of celebrity culture and the significant rise in pornography, I think it is hard for girls to think that it's ok not to be perfect. Especially because men are frequently bombarded with (ok, given the opportunity to look at ;)...) pictures of naked girls; it is a common misconception amongst women that this is what men expect.
HOWEVER...
Last night I am sat looking at these Fatkini gallery images, and my head is telling me two totally conflicting opinions. My initial reaction when I heard about it was, "Good for them! Screw the media!"(always one to rebel)!
But taking the time to view the pictures, I actually felt very differently...
I was actually struggling to support the concept, as for me, when I see someone who is obese, I immediately think two things: Firstly, that their body is screaming for help and inviting disease, and secondly, that there are, most likely, underlying mental and emotional issues.
Is this not the same as a smoker proudly displaying their dieseased lungs?
And can these women actually be as happy and confident as they suggest they are? Knowing that if they carry on their lifestyles the way they are, they are just ticking time bombs, facing an inevitable early death.
Like anything though, it would appear there is NO happy medium! We either strive to be malnutritioned and accepted, or become obese and pretend we're proud about it.
I guess for me, especially as I have become older, I have become more health conscious. I need to work on my diet perhaps...! I don't eat a lot during the week and tend to eat out all weekend! But, I do run at least four times a week, and always try to get my five-a-day. I don't find this difficult. I don't find it a struggle to exercise and eat sensibly. So for me, perhaps I don't understand what it is to be over-weight. From where I'm sat, admittedly, in size 8 jeans, these Fatkini women have made a serious commitment to NOT looking after themselves. And as far as I'm concerned, it screams a lack of sensible role model and education.
But maybe I'm a judgmental bitch? Like, perhaps I have misjudged the whole thing and it is possible to be obese and happy, and that they're not fake smiles on those women's faces...
Don't get me wrong, I am in no way offended by the images of these women (as it would seem, from my research, is not an uncommon opinion...), I just can't condone people preaching obesity as something we should accept and embrace. To love oneself is one thing, but to abuse one's body in that manner is surely not loving it?
Sometimes I think people treat weight issues as a subject matter in a similar way to how they treat religion as a topic- taboo to talk about, lest we offend anyone... But maybe since obesity has become an epidemic, it is time that we stopped pretending to embrace it?
...Controversial as ever, Lucie...!
Over to you guys...
L.
