In mid-April, 2015, an advertisement appeared on the London Tube, from the company Protein World, presenting the product ‘The Weight Loss Collection’, with the slogan ‘Are You Beach Body Ready?’. Beside this completely life altering question, stood a tall, blonde, and very skinny model, her bright yellow bikini perfectly matching the ad’s background. This, like many adverts, sells by using the image of an ‘attractive’ woman, but the outcry against this specific poster is not regarding that. The advert strongly implies that the woman in the picture is the definition of ‘beach body ready’, i.e., anyone who doesn’t resemble her, shouldn’t dare wear a bikini or swimsuit in public. With 45% of British woman at size 16, listening to this ridiculous piece of advertisement may end in desolately empty beaches this summer.
Although, sadly, many adverts like this exist around the world, for some reason, this specific promotion has been met with a severe backlash. The posters on the Tube trains have been defaced with graffiti, the intimidating question being given replies such as ‘If my body is on a beach, then it is ready. Thank you very much.’ A popular petition followed, and the advert was removed by May 1st, with a ‘Take Back the Beach’ event in Hyde Park shortly following. This is hopefully representative of how the ridiculous expectations of the media are changing.
All bodies are beautiful. Whilst that sounds slightly cheesy, it is certainly true. If you mix carbon, water, and other chemicals together, you still can’t create life- much less life which looks up at the stars, and wonders how to get there. Whilst fitness is certainly important, as the right amount of exercise makes people happy, and helps their bodies work, it should be, in no way, linked to beauty. Loving yourself is something very difficult to do, especially in this day and age, but it’s important to try. Of course, if someone wants to loose weight, then it’s their choice to do so- but it should be remembered that your body is your property. Your appearance is dictated by you, and no one else. If you enjoy going to the gym, or want to get rid of a few pounds because it will make you happy, then by all means, do so. But never for a second think that your weight determines how attractive you are, and how valued you are, as a human being.
The Self-Esteem Team, a group of three young women who focus on the self esteem issues the media presents teenagers with, are an excellent example of challenging the idea that everyone has to ‘be’ a certain way. Providing education on the mental health and self worth challenges many young people face, they offer great knowledge and sensitivity for all those who need it. They also offer workshops in schools, for ages 13 and upward, and can be found at selfesteemteam.org.
It is very hard to love yourself- I don’t know many who do. As matter can’t be created or destroyed, it means that all the atoms in your body were present during the beginning of the universe. Your body is literally made from star dust. And hey! I think you look pretty great today.
Images: http://www9.evoke.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/280E0AE800000578-3059896-image-a-40_1430261382847.jpg
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