“I weigh more now than I have before, and now that I’m older it’s settling differently…

…aka in my ass and thighs…

…but I’m kind of on board with it.

I feel hot, so fuck it. Frankly, I don’t feel like devoting my energy to sculpting the ass of a 12 yr old out of my decidedly 23 yr old bottom.

Also, weight loss would cut into my World of Warcraft time. And we can’t have that.”

-Katie Eastwood, psychology student and disability advocate,
learning that loving herself is the first step to doing everything better.

“First they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

-Martin Niemöller, a German pastor and theologian opposed to Hitler, imprisoned in the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps for “not being enthusiastic enough about the Nazi movement.” (Source) You can read more about Niemöller, and his journey from staunch Hitler supporter to pacifist (“If I live to be a hundred I shall maybe be an anarchist”), here and here.

What political, religious and social persecution have you witnessed in your lifetime?

I used to say I Love my Curves….
but now I love my cells. 

Powerful, tiny impulses
Little explosions
like science dancing with my soul.

I have never known before
that I could love myself so deeply.

Aleah Robbins
Poet, Artist, Amazing Cook & Excellent headstand-er

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld is the daughter of recently resigned French Vogue editor, Carine Roitfeld.

The relevance of appearance magazines to body image is evident in a recent survey of adolescent girls: 69% reported that magazine pictures influence their idea of the perfect body shape, and 47% claimed that the pictures influenced them to want to diet to lose weight (Fieldetal.,1999). Analyses of appearance magazines and their impact on adolescent boys have been rare, although recent research has verified the linkage between internalization of media appearance ideals with body dissatisfaction among elementary and middle-school boys (Cusumano&Thompson, 2000; Smolak, Levine, & Thompson, 2001).

Body Image and the Appearance Culture Among Adolescent Girls and Boys : An Examination of Friend
Conversations, Peer Criticism, Appearance Magazines, and the Internalization of Appearance Ideals
Diane Carlson Jones, Thorbjorg Helga Vigfusdottir and Yoonsun Lee
Journal of Adolescent Research
2004 19: 323

Relations among body image satisfaction and social comparisons to either same-sex peers or media models were examined in 2 studies of adolescent boys and girls. In the first study, 9th and 10th graders described their conceptions of attractiveness for same- and opposite-sex adolescents. These attractiveness attributes were then used in Study 2 in which 7th- and 10th-grade boys and girls reported on social comparisons to models/celebrities and same-sex peers. Body dissatisfaction was also assessed. The results confirmed that both same-sex peers and models/celebrities were the targets of social comparisons for physical attributes, but comparisons on personal and social attributes were more likely directed toward same-sex peers. For boys and girls, weight comparisons to both peer and model targets were primary correlates of body dissatisfaction. In addition, shape comparisons reported by the girls and facial comparisons endorsed by the boys also related to body dissatisfaction. Gender differences in social comparison indicated that girls reported more social comparisons across targets and attributes.

Social Comparison and Body Image: Attractiveness Comparisons to Models and Peers Among Adolescent Girls and Boys
Diane Carlson Jones

I was at an event that kicked off with a group meditation.

(Before I tell you how it went down, allow me to say that I think you should approach all meditations guided by strangers with caution. I’ve been to many a gathering where someone wants to lead us down the golden path – and while their intentions are often good, they may not be filling your airwaves with the highest quality thought forms. Guided meditations are like eating at any restaurant – you need to take small bites until you’re sure what you’re consuming.)

Back to a certain guided meditation. “Close your eyes.” (Uh huh.) “Deep breath.” (Uh huh.) “See your dream before you.” (Locked in on crystal clear.) “How does it look, sound, etc, ?” (Feels freaking suh-weet.) “Now,” [insert New Age chimes and slightly evangelical tone...] “…know that your dream is POSSIBLE! … And now, open your eyes.”

Whu? THAT’s IT?! I lean over to my girlfriend and say, “Possible?! Fuck that. My dream is a done deal.” Snort. “Ditto,” she snortled back in solidarity.

- Danielle LaPorte, beware of possibility thinking: how to leverage your manifestation ju-ju

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_HBrwLIyBs

Some people might be surprised to find Daphne Guinness included in our Noteworthy collection. Contrary to popular assumption, Daphne Guinness is highly active in promoting healthy bodies, and has even been quoted noting her own issues with weight – being underweight, that is. An active charity-supporter, muse, and art hero – Daphne Guinness is a muse to all.

Jennifer Love Hewitt has been the center of some major scrutiny when it comes to “ideal bodies” in the media’s eyes. One vacation produced photos that spanned the ‘net and lingered for months, and months… She handled it like a pro, though, and returns triumphantly with a great outlook on body image. Coming from a situation that could easily have crushed any girl’s spirit to spread self-love is all we can ask for.

Christina Hendricks, of Firefly notoriety (our favorite) and current Mad Men fame, is a constant topic of discussion here, as you may have noticed. She was recently interviewed as a “Healthy Celebrity” (noteworthy on its own, good job, media!) in the latest issue of Health magazine. It took only three questions about random things before they zeroed in on her body image – on which she has a quite healthy outlook. She’s one of our favorite people to talk about because she shows no shame when it comes to her body type (as well she shouldn’t!), and we love her for that. You can read the entire interview over at Health.com.