Thin=better person

Think about it. Discuss it. What do the ads on this website, the magazines we read, the TV we watch, the radio stations we listen to convey about what the ideal figure is? What the ideal human is? Why should we let the media shove us individuals into molds that are not our size and don't reflect who we are? Honestly, I'm angry about it. Who are THEY to tell ME or my children or my friends who they should be and what they should look like?!

I won't be controlled by some faceless media monster.

How many of us on this site are marching to their tune? A lot are. Get a clue, get a grip, REALITY CHECK PEOPLE. For those who aren't, good for you guys! It's just another form of control, another form of brainwashing....another form of taking the money we toil for.

F*** this.

Well said.  How many of us need to develop life threatening eating disorders (I realize there is more to an eating disorder than looks, but I can tell you for sure the media/culture/society plays into it)?  This is an epidemic; people trying to achieve the "perfect" body, regardless of happiness, health, sanity.  But what is the perfect body?  And why is the perfect body defined by airbrushed and computer generated people?  Why can't the perfect body be the one you are living in?

I should adopt what I just said and own my own "perfect" body.  Too bad societal standards and ideals have such a hold on me.

I know, have you really looked at the ads on this site?  Half of them are for chinese weight loss teas or other products to help you lose 9 lbs in a week.  I lol every time I see one.  But maybe that's just me, I go out of my way to do opposite of what the media says.  Anybody trying to tell me to do or be something brings out my subversive streak.  :)

I guess it's all on how you look at it.  I have honestly never noticed the adds on this website, so I won't comment on them.  If you don't like them, ignore them. 
Nobody ever said thin=better.  This site is not telling us all we need to be "thin", it's a tool most of us are utilizing to get and stay healthy.  This site has educated many people on what a calorie is and what kinds of foods are best for our bodies. 
And although society may advertise thin as glamorous, nobody is telling you that you have to be a size "0" to be beautiful.  Look at Dove, they use women of all different sizes for their campaigns.  It's up to each individual how much they want to read into things.  As far as your children, they should be educated on health.  Get past the shallow thinking, it's not about size, it's about improving the quality of your life.

Think about it.

I look right past the ads too, and as for the rest of the media, you can turn off the TV.  Not read the mags.  Not buy the products.  They just spew the crap, people let themselves become brain washed!!

It's all about Personal Responsibility!!! It wasn't the media that made me 650 pounds, and the media (except for this great site) was of no use in me finding my way out!! 

I agree, partially. I do try to ignore the ads, and the media, and yeah, sometimes they do get to me. But this website isn't about "thin=better", it's about "healthy=better". 

Nah. The media is about making you a better LOOKING person. It's all about the shallow outer candy shell. Why do you think the models on "America's Top Model" aren't 30 year olds? They are beautiful, perfect 19 year olds who just got finished growing up physically. Now they are going to sell hair color, make-up and clothes to women older than them, with the promise that the company who is promoting these models..will make the consumer look "perfect". It's all a sham of course. Look at all the gorgeous people (on the outside) who have a rotten inner core. Some are so self-absorbed and shallow that it's unbelievable...!!! The people I look up to and want to emulate are perfectly human, good, everyday people who might have a few extra pounds, crooked teeth, and (gasp) a wrinkle or two ! (Or a hundred..)

Sure, I'm sick of it, but the media and society in general greatly influence who we are and who we become. Socialization occurs throughout our entire lives (and a lot of that socialization involves the media in our Western culture), so it's difficult to avoid it. 

Of course, I'm not saying that there isn't anything we can do to change the current situation. We, as a society, need to wake up and realize that being thin doesn't necessarily make you a better person. Unfortunately, for the time being, thin is in. But hey, I think things will eventually change. I mean, remember when no one took this whole 'going green' revolution seriously? Now, everyone realizes that it is important to take care of the earth. I think that if this situation is approached in a similar manner (i.e. celebrities promoting health instead of thinness), people will soon come to realize that being thin does not make you superior (and that it's much more important to be healthy).

Also, as you mentioned, not everyone interprets these ads in the same way. I'm sure that many of us already realize that the "ideal figure" simply doesn't exist.

Anyway, I talk way too much. Lol.

The ads try to match what we're typing about and they aren't very good bots.  I post at an autism community where we celebrate autism-we don't try to find "cures" or lock up autistic kids but there are still ads that sell institutions, cures, supplements.  It's funny if you look at it that way.  At another forum I frequent, we started threads just making the ads change according to our posting. 

 

So, try and don't take it personally. The ads can't see you and so they aren't point their fingers at you and saying, "Hey fatso, buy this and it will Save you!"

Frankly, the weight loss is a secondary goal for me.  I'm exercising to get fit and save my sanity.  I'm dieting because it's cheaper to lower my calorie intake and buy smaller clothes.  I don't even think being skinny is attractive to me, to be perfectly honest.  The balance can be tricky, though, between eating enough and being a big slob and trying to cure sadness with pizza and chocolate. 

Let's all say it together now.....fat is not a moral failing!

Personal responsibility is one thing, and is quite important, but so is personal autonomy. I don't think that we should have the message thrown at us that we are "bad" because we eat a food that *gasp* contains actual calories and tastes good, or because our BMI (which, btw, is a terrible tool for assessing individual health, as it's meant to be used on population studies) is above "ideal". I want to be healthy, and for me that includes eating a balanced diet and exercising. But, if I pick up nearly any newspaper, any magazine, look at any tv commercial break, or glance at the sidebar on a good portion of the pages in this site, I am guaranteed to receive the explicit message that super thin = healthy and beautiful, and that anyone not working towards that is an awful, ugly burden to society. It really goes beyond the size 8 "plus" sized models, and the references in fashion magazines to celebrities my size as being "morbidly obese" (I'm within that normal-but-pointless BMI range, thankyouverymuch). I do wish that this site actually promoted healthy products and not stereotypical and sabotaging adds.

I studied this in psychology and it was saying how women compare eachother within minutes of meeting eachother regarding weight/size.  How SAD is that!?!?! One thing that's always bothered me is how, while I think it's amazing when people make the decision to get healthier and lose weight, a lot of times (like on biggest loser...) people act like their life is over b/c they felt fat.  That's all I ever see in the media and on ads, that life basically stops if you gain weight.  Now I def know that esp if you are overweight/obese it can be depressing,but I know many women in my life who are overweight and they make efforts to get healthier, but it does not consume them.  My mom is the perfect example! She always tells us that she wants to lose weight to be healthier, but will never distract her from all the things that make her so happy in life! Her kids!:)

Original Post by monarch777:

Nah. The media is about making you a better LOOKING person. It's all about the shallow outer candy shell. Why do you think the models on "America's Top Model" aren't 30 year olds? They are beautiful, perfect 19 year olds who just got finished growing up physically. Now they are going to sell hair color, make-up and clothes to women older than them, with the promise that the company who is promoting these models..will make the consumer look "perfect". It's all a sham of course. Look at all the gorgeous people (on the outside) who have a rotten inner core. Some are so self-absorbed and shallow that it's unbelievable...!!! The people I look up to and want to emulate are perfectly human, good, everyday people who might have a few extra pounds, crooked teeth, and (gasp) a wrinkle or two ! (Or a hundred..)

Beautiful, perfect 19 year olds? LOL I suppose perhaps I am alone in this, but I've always found people 30 and over to be the most attractive. Always: even when I was 19, even when I was 9. My first love was Han Solo, after all. To me, 19-year-old girls are cute. 30+-year-old women are beautiful. The same is true of men.

The media only has power over you if you let it. Fortunately for me, I discovered at a very young age that my perception of beauty did not necessarily mesh with the media's, so I have walked to the beat of my own drum in that department my entire life.

As for "perfection," well, I admit it: I respect those over 30 who keep themselves in shape. I am 35 and still get mistaken for under 21. I'm proud of that—even if it is sometimes inconvenient. I'm proud of the fact that I have been lifting weights and doing cardio for more than half my life. I like that people always comment on my hair and my clothes. I like that I am seen as very put together. Am I perfect? Far from it. Who is? But I do take pride in these things. I'm not striving for perfection, either: I just want to be perfectly me.

That in no way means that I do not see the inner beauty in people. I see the beauty in people of all shapes and sizes. But I also see nothing wrong with striving to look my best, and taking cues from others who do as well. The media hasn't given me that attitude. Health and fitness have. The confidence that comes from putting my best face forward has. And more than anything, the belief that age is only a number has. As long as I'm still holding my own, I can conquer the world. The creams may not stave off the crow's feet forever; gravity may one day actually catch up to me; my hair will keep going white under the dye; and I can see the changes that my autoimmune disease has wrought in my appearance. But if I look the best that I can as I step through the landmines of life—if I am healthy and strong and still putting up a good fight against Father Time—then, in my own mind, nothing can stop me.

Why do you think shows like What Not to Wear exist? They aren't teaching people that you aren't anything if you don't dress well. They are showing them how dressing their bodies well can transform their own perceptions of themselves. People find the beauty in themselves they never knew they had. They find the confidence they never knew they had by embracing fashion, a new haircut and a little makeup. It's not shallow in the least: for some people it is life altering. Many of these people come to the show with the attitude that fashion and outer beauty are media and consumer vehicles that have no place in their lives. They leave knowing that the things they once felt disdain for have actually given them the inner power to go out and conquer the world.

I absolutely do not subscribe to the Thin Is Everything mentality. Health is everything. Confidence in one's appearance is everything. These things are empowering to unfathomable degrees.

I love my mummy!

Yes that is relevant to this discussion. Now that I'm approaching 30 I realized what power she gave me.

When I was a teenager I hated her weirdo hippy philosophies that meant I had no brand name clothing and we always had weird food in the house like barley and couscous and never had crisps and pop. 

As a teenager I rebelled, I got a job, bought some of my own brand name clothes, ate junk food, fast food, ate nothing got thin, got really thin, got really sick, got hospitalized.... and did it three times....

It took me a long time and a lot of support from my mum most of all to realize that I value myself much more when I don't assess my value based on a physical mirror that should not be replicated (I would say unobtainable, but I did manage to be 88lbs at 5'10", maybe unsustainable would be better). As I realized this about myself I also realized that people, real people, the ones I met everyday valued me more as I became more than a vapid empty shell trying to replicate vapid empty shells.

Sure I struggle with weight loss now. But I've learned a few things. I would rather be heavy and happy than dying an thin. Healthy is a good goal and it can mean many good things which are not necessarily reflected in out mainstream media.

I'm back to wearing no brand name clothing, buying no packaged food, and yes I have couscous in the house and like it now.

I forget who sings / wrote the song but it had a line "never read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly". 

I forget who sings / wrote the song but it had a line "never read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly".

This is originally from a speech by Kurt Vonnegut, which was later turned into a musical adaptation by Baz Luhrman.  I believe it's called "Wear Sunscreen."  I love this speech, it has such great advice.  Like, "Dance, even if it is only in your own living room."  How true. :)

Thanks! Yes, that's it, I'm so bad with names. Much good advice in that piece. 

Looks is one thing, but being overweight has its own health risks. Whatever the media portray as "beautiful", health should come first and foremost.

It's true that everything in the media is frustrating but lately I'm more frustrated by the amount of people complaining about the media. If you don't like what magazines/ads/TV show then don't pay attention to them - you shouldn't have any reason to be provoked. It won't change anytime soon so all we can do is suck it up. :)

First, I do agree that the world has become a completely over-comercialized place to live in.  I realize that many people are influenced by what the media thinks we should be.  All I have to say about the thin factor is this...being overweight is point blank unhealthy.  I don't care to look like some stick thin model, my health and general well-being are the important things.  I'm not going to blame someone else for my own lazieness and overeating...I take full responsibility for the weight mess I've gotten myself into.  :)

I look right past the ads too, and as for the rest of the media, you can turn off the TV.  Not read the mags.  Not buy the products. 

 (to the person I quoted: what I say next is not to attack what you have said, but taken your opinion and isolated it, and using it as a general example for those people who claim to follow what you advise)

You guys look right past the ads do you? Wow, talk about DENIAL. So I take it you people who claim to not be affected by ads just live a in a shoebox on planet equality?

Here's the thing. There's a fine line between being healthy and being OBSESSED with being healthy. I suppose though, that it all depends on what's the most important thing to you in life: having fun with your brutally short lifespan, or intimately tracking each calorie of food you put in your mouth. To me, the second behaviour is a disfunction.

I think this website has some great points. Most of it is absolutely wonderful as far as the health education goes.

But in some areas it allows too much. The ads with the skinny waists pisses me off. (and no I'm not saying that because I'm fat and jealous, I'm pretty thin and angry) Another thing that enrages me is the posts some people make about how much they hate themselves. If I was a moderator, I'd lock those posts up tight and slap a big label on them that read DANGER ZONE, with a direct link to a website offering professional help. Why? Because first, it's our job in life to love ourselves and eachother. When you make a post about how much you feel like **** for eating a sandwich, then it's time to asess the situation and stop it from continuing. I've seen it continue, in response posts. Someone will say "OMG, I eat this and this and what should I do!?" and then, some perfect stranger halfway across the country who isn't a doctor will reply to that cry for help in a negative way, telling them "just eat less tomorrow", or "wow, that sucks, just make sure you don't do it again". Think I'm lying? Check it out for yourself. The threads like that should be HEAVILY monitored. The abuse has to be stopped somehow.

Even a small effort to keep tabs a little better by locking some of those threads or stepping in to stop the chain of abuse, is a neccessary baby step.

Original Post by annielikesapples:

 

It's true that everything in the media is frustrating but lately I'm more frustrated by the amount of people complaining about the media. 

hahaha! i love this! it has become a meme almost

one thing that bothers me about the ads on sites like this, is that even if the women aren't as thin as runway models, none of them have an ounce of fat or softness.  then i start reading threads about girls and women who are in healthy range bmi's or underweight who percieve any trace of roundness in their abdomen as disgustingly fat...

i think the ads are a bit distorted.  promoting healthy bmi while showing people who are either very athletic, borderline underweight, or a little of both.  a little fat can be healthy, yes??  those ads of sexy toned women make me feel worse about myself than model thin women because they are "healthy" and i look like a soft, weak, couch potato lump in comparison even though i exercise everyday and eat very clean.

Original Post by annielikesapples:

It's true that everything in the media is frustrating but lately I'm more frustrated by the amount of people complaining about the media. If you don't like what magazines/ads/TV show then don't pay attention to them - you shouldn't have any reason to be provoked. It won't change anytime soon so all we can do is suck it up. :)

I strongly disagree. 

The fashion, fast food, diet and cosmetic industries are each multi-billion dollar industries in the Untied States, each of them spent close to one billion dollars each year advertising to the american public. ASC (advertising standard canada) estimates that the average Canadian (sorry I don't have the US figures it's usually safe to multiply by at least 5 times) sees 100,000 impressions (that is ads that are in our space) each day, and is reached by 3,000 per day (that is ads that we actually read or could recall if prompted) in the year 2005, these figures are also increasing at an exponential rate. 

To accompany the billion dollar advertising budgets of these industries they also spend millions of dollars on consumer research. Ads are not benin wall dressing, they have a target audience that is highly researched and developed they use incredibly detailed and wide ranging demographic and psychographic information about their target audience. The job of an ad is to "cut through" to the "target market" who is "advertising savvy" and "make an impression" that "creates a brand image" in the "consumers" mind. Did you ever wonder why most marketing professionals have psychology degrees? It's not a coincidence. 

Advertising is everywhere, it is much more than magazines, tv (few of which most people can avoid today anyways) it is online, in your supermarket (and astounding amount of money and research goes into how we shop in a supermarket from the fact the 90% of people turn right when they enter the door and onwards), it is on the street, in the transit, on the clothes that we wear the products that we consumer the books that we read, the movies we watch, the games we play the sports we play the trick really is where could you possible go (even some of the back country has advertising now) that you could be totally away from ads?

Even if you did find such a place unless you also found a people isolated by from advertising many of our social values, norms, ideals, goals, achievements, recognitions etc... are shaped by decades and billions of dollars in advertising. 

It is naive to think that we can simple ignore or tune out advertising. That is what advertisers are paid to do, to cut through to those of us trying to ignore. 

To be able to challenge, cope and change the negative images we see in our media / advertising we first need to engage with the advertising, understand it, what it is trying to achieve and why.

It is VERY possible to change advertising, much more possible than most people think. The trick is collective action. People boycotted shell, they started putting environmental messaging in their ads. People wanted cleaner organic food, Walmart felt enough pressure to produce a line (not that I'd ever buy it).

Advertising and society work off of one another. The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty exists because there was an unfilled demand in the market. More and more companies are moving away from print advertising because of it's lack of effectiveness and looking at triple bottom line reporting where they can increase their social citizenship, witness CIBC run for the cure (breast cancer), Becel Ride for Heart (Heart & Stroke), the Olympic sponsorships in general. 

Advertising is changing, but we as a society need to demand more. 

As long as we're happy saying it's okay to spend billions of dollars telling us that fast food is pleasurable, and will make us feel happy and then to spend billions of dollars telling us that we are fat and need to loose an unrealistic amount of weight then companies will do that. 

The consumers voice is always strongest, but it needs to be an active an engaged voice not a passive and apathetic one.