Last week I came across an article on Facebook entitled: ” The Pornification of Fitness. I immediately got defensive. As a working fitness model I feel it is my duty to walk the walk, talk the talk, and take images that inspire an active healthy lifestyle. After reading this article I was forced to answer an important question: When do images no longer act as “fit-spiration”, but become the exact opposite of what you are trying to achieve?
Take this video for example. The world has become a Kardashianized bubble in which perfect selfies and an obsession with ones thigh gap has become the utmost importance. Over the past four years I have been on both sides of the spectrum. On one hand a physical education teacher whose goal it was to encourage students to live active and healthy lifestyles through sport and lifetime activities. On the other hand a former professional dancer turned fitness model whose imagery that was meant to inspire may lead to negative self reflection.
At the end of the day I am a women. A women who loves food and had to fall in love with eating clean and working out. I still indulge in decadent dinners and late night runs for dessert and cappuccino with Cory. I just try to follow the 80-20 rule and keep it moving. It is hard to admit, but like many women I am sure, and please let me know you can relate so I am not a total crazy woman! The first thing I do before hopping in the shower in the morning is check out my tummy. Bloated? Flat? Toned? I am not perfect and don’t ever expect perfection, but I have noticed a shift in the way I see myself on a daily basis. I had to do some digging and figure out when body image became an issue. I use the word issue VERY lightly. I am extremely grateful for the body that I have been given, and am so thankful for the genes I have inherited; however, I do believe I started to compare my body to other bodies out there as social media and the WWW became more and more prevalent. Posting pictures from college outings, spring break, and family vacations were no longer care free moments captured in time. You have the tendency to look at yourself in a whole new light, deleting any picture that will not be considered postable. Your life on display for all the world to see. You may even become more aware of how to look your best in photos..hand on hip….3/4 pose..head tilt etc. etc.. Gone are the days of being surprised and excited after your film is developed and hello to the days of the perfect filter and photoshop for your cell piece.
That brings me back to the major question at hand. Friend of fitspo? When do images cross that line? We see them every single day on pinterest, instagram and in movies. Photos of tight toned 6 packs saying things like “I hate being fat so I changed it” or “your body is a reflection of your lifestyle”. 36-24-36….Who fits into that category anyway? 1 % of the human population and even those who are may have had a little help. I fear how these images are affecting our younger generations. Instilling self confidence in young women is becoming harder and harder. They see the girl with the large thigh gap, enlarged breasts and hip bones sticking out “liked” thousands of times. I worry that self deprecation and unrealistic body image has become the new norm.
I need to tell you this story in hopes that we can somehow make a change. I was teaching dance last year to a group of eight year old girls. They would NOT and I mean NOT stop staring at themselves in the mirror. Sometimes getting side tracked by their own reflections. “I know you are all beautiful”, I said and asked them to say it with me “I’m beautiful”, and not one of them felt comfortable enough saying that out loud. They all awkwardly looked at each other and some found the courage to squeak those two simple words out. When I was that age I would shout it from the rooftops. Buck teeth, crazy hair and all! We need to start inspiring the younger generation. Our sisters and daughters need to start believing in themselves and their beauty.
As I was browsing through this months Fitness Magazine. The first nine pages were all Wilhelmina Fitness women that I have the pleasure of knowing or have seen in passerby during a casting or job. All women who live their lives trying to inspire others through living active, healthy lifestyles. They teach various fitness classes and try to live the happiest, healthiest lifestyles possible. They are dancers, yoga gurus, collegiate track stars and professional athletes with so much to offer this generation. Yes! they may be featured in glossy magazines and ad campaigns, but one must remember that before we ever make it to those pages we are judged and often told NO strictly based on our exteriors. It has taken time to build a tough skin and a confidence in myself to know that this life is all about comparing apples to oranges, and if I don’t land this job another is right around the corner! So, I have learned be happy for others successes and grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities I have been given. Because I will always be happy with being imperfectly perfect.
As I was flipping through this years Body Issue presented by ESPN Magazine. The human form was on display in all shapes, sizes and colors. Beautifully uninhibited and bursting off the huge pages. My hope for the future is that all people, but mostly women will learn to see themselves through rose colored glasses. That they will realize every person is perfect no matter what shape, size and color they are. We are given one body and we should treat it with the utmost respect. Learning to love your body may be a daily struggle, but by utilizing positive talk and filtering out the negative “fitspiration” I really believe we can start to make a change. Cutting down the negative talk and building up your daughters, mothers and friends. Every women must remember that they are “perfect” to someone. What you see is smoke and mirrors; photoshop, clothes tailored to bodies, hair and makeup artists and professional lighting. So, next time you scroll through your newsfeed I beg you not to allow imagery dictate your happiness, but be thankful for the gifts you have been given.
Love and Fitspo,
Taylor