Weight a minute

I'm torn on this subject. I definitely applaud the marketers at Dove for their recent campaigns. I admire the fact that they are trying to help us to see beauty as it is, and not just promote an unrealistic ideal. It was good to see real-life women posing for their pictures feeling confident and looking attractive. I love their new "pro-age" campaign, though I'm not sure why the commercials can't be shown here in the US. (The campaign consists of women over 50 in nude photos- tastefully done, and covering any private parts...you can see them on Dove's website.)

I believe that beauty comes in various shapes, forms, ages, etc. And I think it's wonderful to celebrate it in all its glory.

However...

Here's where I may have a bit of an unpopular view amongst women...

I'm worried about sending too many messages that it's OK to be whatever size you are. I'm worried about creating comfort among us to hang on to that extra 20, 30, 50 pounds that we really should be working on getting rid of. The expanding size of the society around me is scary. Actually, sometimes it evokes feelings stronger than fear. There is a tinge of disgust. And embarrassment. It sometimes feels like greed. Or gluttony.

Slim-fast has an ad where people are dancing around, apparently feeling great about their weight loss. Now, they haven't used skinny little actresses to do this...they haven't even used thin models to do it. The people in the ads are bigger than that- perhaps they've lost some weight and perhaps they have a ways to go. I'm not sure. All I know is that some of the women are probably my size, and the only thought I have while they are dancing on my tv screen is "she looks big.." and then that leads to "do I look that big?"

So while segments of the media work on making us feel okay about our expanding size...it simply has served as a reminder to me that I'm not completely buying it. Which is a good thing, I guess- it does seem to help with my current weight loss efforts!