Recently, a video came across my internet browser which piqued my interest. It addressed issues on college campuses, and seemed to have a pretty solid assertion that the sexual indecency contained within college life is coming from only one area… women’s wardrobes, which are preventing the mens from being good Christians.

This video, originally found on The Stranger’s blog (Slog), kicks off 8+ minutes of video by mystery group Identity 313 (who seem to be somewhat associated with the First Baptist Church in Newark, CA) with the text, “Men’s Thoughts On: Modesty” – always a good sign – followed by a sermon titled “The Soul of Modesty” by Evangelical Pastor CJ Mahaney.

I’m all about religious freedom, and clearly discussing theology in regards to feminism, societal standards, or women is a touchy subject, but I can’t can’t shake the feeling I get when I hear Mahaney utter these select lines about life on campus for Christian men:

…Each and every day on campus is a battle – listen carefully, ladies… Each and very day on campus is a battle, a battle against my sin, a battle against temptation, a battle against my depraved mind. …I’m thankful that God has created me to be attracted to women, however campus is a loaded minefield. There are girls everywhere. The thing that women do not seem to fully grasp is that the temptation towards lust does not stop for us, as men. …They have a choice to help or deter its goal.

Sometimes when I see a girl provocatively dressed, I say to myself, “She probably doesn’t even know that 101 men are going to devour her in their minds today… But then again, maybe she does.” To be honest, I don’t know the truth. The truth of why she chooses to dress the way she does… The truth of why she chooses to walk the way she does, the way she chooses to act… I don’t know, because I’ve never sat down with a girl and asked her why. All I know if that the way she presents herself to the world is bait for my sinful mind…

To the girls who are ignorant, please serve your brother and have your dad screen your wardrobe. Ask him how you can better choose holiness over worldliness. He’s a guy, he knows more than you do on the issue.

And, ladies – we aren’t even half way through the video.

This raises an interesting question for me. I can have a bit of a temper from time to time, and I demand respect on a lot of levels… But I’m certainly not one to put my beliefs or ideas onto another person against their will. That being said, I wanted to leave the door open on this argument for CJ Mahaney to have a valid point. I’m not a religious person (I do the whole “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual” hippie thing), but after hearing this for the first time, I had to ask: If a man asked me to dress differently because my attire was making him lustful… Would I do it?

My immediate response was a resounding “HELL TO THE NO. No one is going to tell me how to dress or provide me with pre-approved channels in which to express myself because they find me sexually attractive! Eff. That.”

But… why? If I went to a primarily Islam country the middle east and was asked to please cover my hair with a burqa, would I do it? Well, gosh… I… I just might. Yes, I think I would. So why is it different? Why does this sermon, and this video get my blood boiling so heavily, while – when a different religion is inserted, I feel less hostile? Am I prejudiced against Christianity?

No. Honestly, I believe it’s because this is my house. And by that, I mean this country, my home, is my somewhat-as-promised “land of the free.” I wasn’t raised to conceal myself for the convenience of men’s hyperactive libidos, as this sermon seems to lament. I’ve gone through a quarter of a century being allowed to wear what I want, when I want, where I want. If I enter someone else’s cultural domain, that idea is going to shift. It’s like when you’re in someone else’s house… You ask to do things. You let them know that you value their hospitality, and if they say “Get your feet off of my coffee table,” you do it with a smile and an apology. But then you can go back to your house and do a tap dance on your own coffee table if you damn well feel like it.

Being asked to remove my shoes and keep my feet off the table in my own house is something that I am not okay with. Especially if it’s only women who can’t put their feet on the table. You see where I’m going with this? It’s not fair, it’s not equal, it’s not okay with me.

Mostly what kills me about the video & sermon is the verbiage used to imply that some women dress this way intentionally to attract lustful males, and are therefore intentionally disrespecting the religion. The use of words like “ignorant women” and “listen carefully ladies” is provoking, degrading, demeaning, and just flat out rude and unacceptable. What more blatant way can you assert an obvious belief of male superiority than by using this kind of language to teach women that they’re not helping their men. We are not Ms. Dale Carnegie and we are not on this planet to help our husbands get ahead. Plus, the fact that Mahaney even states that he’s never sat down with a young lady and asked her why she chooses to dress the way she does just reeks of ignorant hypocrisy! Perhaps you ought to consider addressing those who you’re condemning as equals and try to accept the idea that women are not here to help you get closer to God, bud. It’s hot outside, and I’m wearing shorts and a tank top if I damn well please.

What are your thoughts on this sermon and video? Tell us in the comments!

I’d like to share with you an email that Lindsay received today.

Marina del Rey, CA – May 5, 2011 — According to Dr. Grant Stevens, a board certified plastic surgeon and founder of Marina Plastic Surgery Associates (http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com) in Marina del Rey, CA, nipples are like snowflakes.  No two pair is alike.  And for the most part they have been missing in action since bra manufacturers filled the aisle with “t-shirt bras” so no one knows for sure if they even exist.

I am so glad that an MD was able to clear this up for me. I was certain that my nipples were factory-made replicas of Angelina Jolie’s, and now I know the truth.

Nipples are like snowflakes.

So empowering.

“The fact is that even though nipples may be hidden, women still want them to look attractive,” said Dr. Stevens. “Millions of women suffer with nipple and areola abnormalities such as inverted, enlarged or extended nipples, and puffy, enlarged or discolored areolas. Many of these conditions can impact breast function, but they all impact the way women feel about their bodies,” he added.

It’s a fact, ladies and gentlemen. Women are suffering here. They beat their breasts, crying out to the gods, begging them for relief from too-light or too-dark areolas…

(Okay, the “beat their breasts” thing may have been too much. Yes? No?)

Dr. Stevens had so many requests for repair that he created a website www.nipplerepair.com where women (and men) can go to choose the perfect nipple.  “The nipple can be repaired during outpatient surgery or during breast reduction or breast enhancement surgery,” Dr. Stevens said.

WELL ISN’T THAT CONVENIENT. One boob job with a side of factory nipples, please!

There are various nipple conditions including:

• Nipple inversion is a disfiguring condition that affects two percent of all women. The degree to which a nipple is inverted will vary from “shy” to severely retracted.
• Enlarged nipples can be corrected with simple outpatient surgery reducing the length or diameter of one or both nipples.
• Reducing enlarged areolas is a quick fix as the areola can impact the appearance of the breasts more than any other feature.
• “Puffy” areolas put a cone-like cap on the breasts that some people find unattractive. A simple surgery can flatten the areola and beautify the breasts.

“A simple surgery can flatten the areola and beautify the breasts.”

“A simple surgery can flatten the areola and beautify the breasts.”

Surgery to flatten your areola. Surgery. To flatten. Your areola.

Nope, still not makin’ sense.

On a more serious note, I am utterly annoyed that this release not only suggests that millions of women are suffering from what I will forever call “snowflake boobs,” but also that this doctor’s definition of “issues” that need to be “repaired”, by and large, have no connection to breast function. Only one of the above points, nipple inversion, even remotely affects breast function – and that affect is completely overstated in the above message. Scarleteen sums up the way inverted nipples really work, their “impact” on breast function, and the risks of cosmetic surgery (emphasis mine):

“An inverted nipple is one which is retracted into the breast, rather than sticking out. (A “flat” nipple is just as it sounds: it will usually sit flat against the breast, rather than protruding.)

For some, nipples are inverted just during “resting” times, when a woman isn’t cold or aroused, while more uncommonly, for others, they remain inverted in those situations as well. For some women with inverted nipples, they may pop out during pregnancy or breastfeeding, while for others, they may remain inverted then, too. Even for women in the latter group, breastfeeding is still possible. Some may just have to make some simple adaptations like using a breast pump or a nipple shield to breastfeed. While a person could have cosmetic surgery to “correct” (I put that in quotes, because there’s really nothing wrong with inverted nipples in need of correction) the nipples, a surgery may make breastfeeding more difficult or impossible to do. Cosmetic surgery to nipples may also make them less sensory, which is a bummer on top of an obvious conflict: if you want your nipples to stick out, risking taking away the nerve endings that would cause them to do so when you get excited doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Apparently, it takes a teen sexual health site to remind an MD of the truth.

I understand that nipple surgeries aren’t always cosmetic. Hell, I looked into having my breasts reduced in my late teens because they exacerbated my scoliosis, and my desire was wholly medical. My mom had nipples “created” after her double mastectomy – I completely understand that there are a myriad of reasons surgeries like this exist. This email flaunts those reasons, and hides within them the cosmetic ideology that makes so many women question their natural beauty. We already fear sagging breasts, small breasts and lopsided breasts. Do we have to fear imperfect nipples too?

I’ll leave you with another quote from Scarleteen’s advice on inverted nipples. This is written to a teenaged girl, but I think there’s a bit of that girl in all of us, and it doesn’t hurt to hear this sort of thing occassionally…

“Plenty more women will have sloping breasts, breasts which are tubular or low-slung, more oblong breasts, wide-set breasts, the works. Some nipples are bigger, others smaller. Some, when they get erect, make what a friend of mine used to call a top-hat shape, others more a pyramid, others something in between. Some are more or less sensitive than others. Some nipples protrude, others are flat, others still are inverted. Size, as you know, varies widely, too, as does nipple color. The only realistic idea any of us can have about breasts is that they are seriously diverse. If we have a fantasy that they’re not, then it’s our responsibility to adjust that idea, not a partner’s job to hide to change their breasts.

Too, over the years, I’ve heard from men and women alike who have partners with inverted nipples, and most seem to actually delight in them and appear to have quite a bit of fun working them out with mouths or fingers until they pop out. Something novel when it comes to sex is pretty much never a bad thing.

Chances are good that if you share your breasts with a partner, they’re not going to feel shafted in any way, but delighted that you’re sharing that part of your body; whatever fantasies they’ve had likely won’t live up to the reality of someone they care for and are attracted to giving them license to haver those real, live — and unique! — breasts in their hands.

I’d encourage you to try and develop that same kind of delight, rather than looking at cosmetic surgery. There’s nothing wrong with your nipples or breasts, just like there’s nothing wrong with my (now greying) red hair. Sexy is as sexy does, seriously. If you accept and love your body, the people you choose to share it with are not only likely to follow suit, but when you share it, it’s going to feel a whole lot better to you if you view it as a gift, not a burden.”

I feel like there could be an entire, separate blog devoted to picking off companies, one by one, as they terminate their ethics in favor of a higher profit margin. It happens every day, greedy muckity-mucks decide that “a little exaggeration won’t hurt” and they quickly downward spiral into the “Say Anything For A Dollar” mentality.

Stop Looking Your Age: Here’s How
Enhance your best features and downplay those little imperfections.
All it takes is a few easy tweaks to your beauty routine.

I received the above e-mail a few days ago from none other than WebMD (red line emphasis mine). Not just a credible source, but a credible source of information that millions of people look to for medical authority. You’d think that a website representing the medical industry and doctors would understand that aging isn’t a disease.

“Those little imperfections.”

What? Seriously? These are supposed medical professionals recommending the use of cosmetics to cover your natural aging process? What the hell?

This immediately makes me wonder how many people are clicking that feature. How many people are reading this wondering if they, too, have “little imperfections” that must be downplayed.

It’s a long road before we convince women (note: please see that the above e-mail was only sent to women) that aging isn’t an ugly, inappropriate process that robs you of your womanhood, beauty, or sexuality. WebMD (or any credible, body-associated authority) doesn’t help the psychology of women with this kind of approach, but you can speed up the process by letting them know that it bothered you, if it did. Shoot them an e-mail here.

Do you find this offensive? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

I don’t get it.

This morning I read an article on the world’s youngest grandmother, who had her first child at twelve and her first grandbaby at twenty-three:

“Mum-of-two Rifca Stanescu was 12 when she had her first child Maria.

She urged the girl not to follow her example – but Maria gave birth to son Ion while only 11.”

We have to consider the source – this was reported by British tabloid The Sun – but to be frank, I’m not very concerned about Ms. Stanescu, her children, or her grandchildren. Romanian women typically marry quite young, with a mean age of twenty-three. I’m more concerned about the people commenting on this news, all over the web.

For reference, here’s what Ms. Stanescu looks like…

…and yes, she looks plain (you know, without makeup and professional lighting) but more importantly, why does it matter? Why is the knee-jerk reaction to judge her looks at all? Moreover, if you are going to judge her looks, or anyone’s for that matter, why comment about them on a public forum?

I see these age- and body-shaming comments all over the web (“Real women have curves,” anyone?), and I have to wonder at the motivation of both men and women – mostly women! – to say cruel things about how others appear. Lindsay and I are both known for being a little snarky and, occasionally, downright judgmental (we’re working on it), but we know better than to tear other women down by criticizing them for their looks, especially when they have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Do you ever catch yourself thinking judgmental, negative thoughts about women in the news?

Where do those thoughts come from, and how to you counteract them?

Image of Rifca Stanscu via blogoncherry.com.

The PR field is a sticky, winding road of ethical questions.

You know your product is good, but how will it get noticed? What will make it stand out? In a world of digital media, where text and images are your only weapons when trying to contact an online publication, you have to choose your strategy wisely. Do you just send an informative note? Or do you go full out, creating pre-made content that your publications could pick through, or post as a whole? Then, in what light do you present your client? Edgy? Safe? Somewhere in between? Controversy usually gets noticed – much more than charity… Predicament.

You’d think that, being a body image blogger, PR companies may be a little more careful about the materials they send over. When I receive a pitch e-mail from a PR agency, I almost ALWAYS look at it – unless “Bieber” is in the title. Sometimes I regret it, sometimes I’m extremely happy with the pitch contents! This morning, however, I was let down. Bigtime.

Subject: Top 10 Bra Don’ts

Ok, interested… I’m a buxom chick, and I’ll see what this has to say.

It’s some pre-formed content – a list (obviously) – and I see that it’s written by the owner of a lingerie webstore, which I won’t name because I’m a classy ranter.

The first few “Don’ts” were acceptable. Typical things – avoid quad-boob, don’t put up with slipping straps, yadda yadda. Then this:

4.     Don’t forget about gravity. Wearing a bra is not just a matter of appropriateness it’s a necessity. After babies, a little weight gain and general aging, your breasts are simply not what they used to be.

…They aren’t? What? Are you judging my breasts from a PR e-mail? For real?

Not only that, this isn’t a f—ing tip! What beneficial datapoint am I getting from this? Nothing. The only effect of this kind of language is shaming-up some fat pocketed women so I can point them to my all-fixing webstore. You don’t think you need a new bra? Well, your tits are sagging – hello! Gravity! You clearly are doing it wrong. Doesn’t matter what it is, you’re doing it wrong.

The worst part? That wasn’t all they had to say about you.

5.      You’ve got some very special back bulge. We’re not talking about those few extra pounds gained over the dreary winter…if there is a build-up of tissue around the underarms or below your bra band, your body is screaming for a proper fitting. We’re also confident that you’re seriously uncomfortable.

Also! You’re fat now! Fatty. Get a new bra fitting so you can accomodate all that FAT you have now. And we all know that if you’re FAT, you’re UNCOMFORTABLE. FATTY.

Who thinks this is appropriate, seriously? This was written by a woman… for women. For sales.

They wanted us to post this. How would you respond to this kind of “list” popping up on fashion blogs? What would you say?

Ohhh, the marriage of design and marketing can be a rocky one.

Just in time for New York Fashion Week (SURELY A COINCIDENCE, DON’T YOU THINK?), Pepsi debuted their new Diet Pepsi can. It’s so chic.

Fast Company, my favorite magazine and the site from which I pilfered this image, stated my feelings perfectly:

Now even a soda can tells women that their butts will always be too big.

Zero carbs! Zero calories! Zero sugar… grams…! Zero regard for the effects of this ridiculous marketing campaign!

Here is some of the verbiage that Pepsi is using to describe the idea behind their new diet look:

“In celebration of beautiful, confident women, Diet Pepsi presents the taller, sassier new Skinny Can…”

“Our slim, attractive new can is the perfect complement to today’s most stylish looks…”

“Get the Skinny’ at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with Diet Pepsi”

“The attractive new can will be available to consumers in stores nationwide in March in addition to existing packaging.”

In the same vein as I feel this copy and idea is being presented, I say: Barf.

How completely disrespectful and leading. Inadvertent or not, this design and subsequent campaign is shaming and exclusive. When will the consumer world begin to understand that men and women of all sizes – including me, a size 14 – love fashion, procure fashion, and follow it.

The coincidence? I might not be in my peak, healthy condition – but I know better than to drink aspartame-laced, nutrition-less soda drinks. You know what makes me confident, Pepsi? Knowing that “slim”, “attractive” and “stylish” are not exclusive to confidence and beauty.

Thanks.

Nine West, I love you.  You fit my feet like some sort of foot-glove, supporting my adorably high arches and keeping me from intense pain eight hours a day.  You are pretty, and sassy, and in my price range.

So, being that we have this close, healthy relationship, I have to ask: what the hell were you thinking when you sent me this email?

In case you were under a rock last year, “nude” was a huge trend.  (And honestly, it’s been trending – a little more under the radar – for a few years now.)  It was also a huge debate topic for fashion bloggers around the net: we talked about it here at the Demoiselles, Jezebel called out Net-a-Porter (and, in 2008, Lucky), and more than a few of our blogging constitutes weighed in on whether the “beige = nude trend” was utterly racist, or if consumers were just overreacting.

Either way, you’d think that one of the biggest mid-price-point shoe designers would avoid the word like the plague, opting for “neutral,” “tan” or “beige.”

I clicked the link – which led to a page that said “neutrals” instead of “nudes” - to see if there was anything more than a cacophony of beige-colored atrocities…and yes, there are (refreshing!) but not the way you’d think (confusing?).

Keep in mind, as you view the images below, that the colors shown are the default when you click the email banner.  I clicked multiple times to make sure.

Beige, beige, cream…gray…army green?

Oh look, brown!  Chocolate brown!

And, um, black.  And silver.  And that diamond flat thingy on the right is described as “light purple.”

As I mentioned above, the main page showcasing the above shoes was entitled “Neutrals,” but look at the first image – the email they sent me – one more time.  “NEW & notable NUDES.”  Big, bold letters.

So, Nine West, I’m wondering: were you trying to be more inclusive with your collection of nude shoes, or did you just add other neutrals like black, brown and gray to capitalize on both the “nude” and “neutral” key words in search engines?

And what the hell is with the purple?

I love that the term “bodysnarking” was created by women who are finally starting to stand up for themselves, and others. I love the camaraderie and union that I witness in forums and on the street when someone pipes up (especially in public) about how there is injustice towards women’s (& men’s) bodies.

“Actually, all women have a real woman’s body… By definition.”

“It’s not a ‘bummer’ that she has that scar – it’s a piece of her, and she shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

“You know what’s really hot – more than an hourglass or 24″ waist? Sassy, saucy confidence.”

It’s never comfortable to bring up a serious notion amidst a joke but as we know – many of our friends and loved ones are brainwashed, and not saying something is exactly what allows those icky ideas and expectations to continue rotting the brain of humanity. Ok, that was a little dramatic. (But just a little.)

Photo: FatFeministFitness

A lot of times, in order to deflect a bodysnarking situation, a do-gooder will compromise with a joke about something that’s not inherent to someone’s shape – their clothing. Unknowingly contributing to media standards, while attempting to prevent them.

“Oh, stop it. She’s not fat! But those pants aren’t proving it to anyone.“

“Well, I think that she has beautiful freckles. Doesn’t explain the shoes, though!“

Certainly, these types of comments don’t happen every time we stand up for our bodies in public… But the above examples are unfortunately the best case scenario, as most often, people fashion-snark for no reason other than to be humorous, inflate their fashion-knowledge-bubble, or cover up their own insecurities.

Don’t get me wrong, I recognize that calling out someone for interesting fashion choices is not necessarily on the same page as the cruelty of bodysnarking… Or is it?

Ok, out of all the people that could be chosen for this – Juilanne Moore? Are you serious?! Julianne Moore?!! PS – Remember girls, if your dress clashes with you “hotness”, you’re doing it wrong.

My main belief about fashion is that it’s purely self-expression – that’s what my site, Broke & Beautiful, is all about. It’s a self-expression much in the same way that performance art is expression, or music. Fashion, however, is the manifestation of you, your ideals, and your personal preferences on your body. And you don’t get a script, lyric sheet or choreography to accompany these things – you have to be yourself, and present yourself to the world with it! That’s pretty personal stuff, if you ask me.

This gets cloudy when we get to specific stuff – like say… Bjork. Not every “self-expression” has to be some grandiose, over the top, wearing-shoes-for-hats type of getup – to me, self-expression is the choice between wearing boots over jeans or flats, a button down or a ribbed tank, opaque tights or sheer… Tiny things, but all choices. Each choice is an opportunity to express. Make sense? Ok, fashion-preach-session over.

When I see posts – be they from retailers, style bloggers, or random people on Twitter/Facebook – that demean someone’s personal style, I pisses me off – it really does! Even more aggravating? When bodysnarking and fashion-snarking are combined (all text formats necessary to convey the horror of such a scene).

I was really bummed out to find that one of my favorite retailers had a blog with a series displaying only quips and comparisons between certain celebrity outfits and objects such as (but certainly not limited to): trash. Commentary regarding everything from age (beneath Madonna’s photo, “It’s Forever 21, not Forever 51.”) to marital status (under Christina Aguilera’s photo reads “By the looks of this outfit, Christina Augilera’s husband isn’t the only thing that wants out.”) is connected and commented upon by bloggers.

I mean, I get it. I get why retailers would employ this idea, I get why the tabloids do it… Unique, expressive people are taking risks in fashion, and since most of us are scared to venture outside the norm for fear of societal acceptance, we’d rather link arms with our fellow scaredycats, close our eyes tight, and hope that our giggles and catty remarks hide the fact that we only wish we could have the guts to be so comfortable with our body and aesthetic preferences. If we can turn it into something laughable, we won’t feel as jealous of those who willingly put their quirks out there for the world to see. God forbid we wear something that doesn’t perfectly flatter our waistline to make it as close to the 26″ ideal that it possibly can, or that our legs don’t look twice as long as our torso, or that we forget to slop on concealer in the morning and now everyone can see that – not only do we have pores, but our skin is not so evolved, fair and magical that it doesn’t excrete oils or become dry and God forbid we be imperfect, what will the world think of us then?

But I digress.

Is fashion-snarking rated up there with bodysnarking? We’re likely all guilty of relishing a “Worst Dressed” page in our time, but when you see them now, looking at it for what it really is – how does it make you feel?

Today is January 1, 2011. Welcome to the new decade. Eager as ever, I await all the new innovations, ideas and transformations of the years ahead.

…But in the land of the New Year, one transformation initiative prevails over all others: dieting.

Setting: 12:30pm, 1/1/11, Boyfriend and I make our way through a small town grocery store in the islands off the coast of Washington State.

We hit the checkout stand and instinctively peruse the onslaught of print publications claiming everything from aliens to apple cake recipes. This particular day, however, we were assaulted with everyone’s favorite new year’s topic: LOSE WEIGHT! EASY, FAST, IMMEDIATELY! 500 LBS., NOW! EAT CAKE ALL DAY AND FIT INTO A SIZE 2!

Do we really need a 25 page special about diets that work?

You know, it’s come to my attention that, as I’ve grown older (& out of a very diet-heavy, occasionally diet-enforced childhood), not everyone feels the need to diet in the new year. I know! Who would have thought, you know? This new year, the last thing on my mind is dieting – that feeling having little to do with whether I need to or not. What is on my mind for the new year, re: my body? Achieving optimum health. This could mean that I do 0% “dieting” and quit eating processed foods. It could mean that I take an hour long walk each day, it could mean that I get 8 hours of sleep per night.

Our cultural obsession with weight has permeated our goals. Does that creep anyone else out? We have been so saturated as a culture with “LESS FAT = BETTER PERSON” that even our life. goals. follow suit  – we want to become acceptable to our peers and society before we consider being acceptable to ourselves. Think about it, in a fundamental capacity – that’s creepy!

Dear Women, You’re fat and unattractive, as you are, and that’s bad.

One thing that got to me while I was gazing at these magazines with the obvious targeting. They might as well say “ARE YOU A WOMAN? WELL, YOU’RE PROBABLY FEELING FAT. GOOD! WE HAVE DIET TIPS, PLZ BUY OUR MAGAZINE, THX.” As someone who wasn’t planning on going into 2011 feeling negative about my body, I almost felt guilty for not wanting to lose weight!

“Get rid of those holiday pounds!” Oh man… Do I have “holiday pounds”? What do “holiday pounds” look like, and are they worse for you than regular pounds? “#1 Fat Cure!” What? Fat is… a disease or something? Fat is bad, then… I mean, if it needs to be cured, that means it’s definitely really bad. I have fat. Do I need to be cured? HE IS A DOCTOR. I AM FAT AND BROKEN. D: “Lose 12 lbs. per week!” There’s no snark about this comment – that is unhealthy no matter how you shake it. 12 lbs. per week? I don’t think so.

The lack of constructive advice here is glaring. There is no room for talk of self-acceptance, no ideas involving health, life balance, or nutrition – just quick fixes, fad diets, and shame! It’s been the same way for decades, and my only hope is that – going into this new decade – it will eventually change.

I get glimmers of hope from a minuscule sampling of other magazines – they’re addressing the same idea (healthy for the new year) but without stripping women of their self-love, dignity, and personal choices.

People are going to capitalize on the New Year’s Resolution idea regardless of what it is, but if there’s going to be loser magazines like OK, People, and Us – I’m glad there are counterbalances like the above to battle with them.

I was happy to [ask my boyfriend to please] purchase the above magazine [because my wallet was in the car]. I’m new to Whole Living Magazine, but was not surprised to find out that it was a Martha Stewart publication. The approach to health is so much more genuine than the rag-mags previously shown. Phrases like “conquer fear”, “take charge of your health” and “balance” are a refreshing sight in comparison to “lose fast”, “get slim” and “drop pounds.”

You know, losing weight is all well and good – but focusing on losing weight through diets and spurts of motivated, forced exercise is… well, a great way to set yourself up for disappointment. Focusing on your health, your perspective and your quality of life often come with the added bonus of a healthier, more balanced you.

Please join me in the collective rolling-of-eyes when you see those gross, shame-baiting magazines on the stand in your local supermarket, and remind yourself (and others) that you are not obligated to desire to be slimmer simply because its a stereotypical New Year’s Resolution. Instead of judging yourself based on what these magazines shout at you, reach for publications (both online and off) that promote balance and overall health. We all benefit from that.

What do you think of these blatant “LOSE WEIGHT FAST” new year magazines? How do they make you feel when you see them on the newsstands?

How are you approaching any health-related resolutions?

Related Community Discussion: New Year’s Resolutions?

Well, today is my last day in town, and so I am finishing up some writing work, cleaning a bit, and doing a lot of slacking off.

While meandering through my over-full RSS feed, I happened to stumble upon this little number: Minnie Mouse’s Makeover a la Disney & Forever 21.

…

The upcoming collection follows Minnie Mouse shopping in fashion capitals London, Paris and Tokyo in preparation for her line. Disney Consumer Products designed the special Minnie Mouse character art and style guide especially for modern fashionistas, just like Forever 21′s customers. The style is fresh and portrays Minnie Mouse in a whole new way-leggy, modern and glamorous. [Emphasis added.]

I’m just going to put this here:

Basically, our thoughts on the matter can be summed up as:

Also, what the hell did you do to Minnie’s left hip? Her legs are NOT connected to her jacket – that’s not how bodies work, Disney. (Not like you should know better.)

Thoughts?