I saw a movie last night and there was a scene where the hero put his hand on the woman's tummy. His hand covered her tummy! It takes at least two hands for me! And, oh god forbid, I actually saw a few minutes of that model search reality show -- Argh! They were all in bikinis and so thin! I swear, some of them were way tooo thin. Why does popular media make me feel so horrible and inadequate!! X-(

one simple answer:

so you buy more stuff.

SuziBluEyez- I know what you mean. I have pretty decent self-esteem but last night after watching Top Model. I stood in the mirror naked trying to hold in my tummy and try to pose in skinny ways.

Then I started watching the 20/20 special on how the light skinned black get more status and respect then dark skinned blacks.

Then I came to the conclusion that I will never be able to please anyone therefore, I am going to please myself. So when I started watching music videos last night. I turned away from the tv and just danced to the music. To burn my 4 calories for the day to get to a health weight. So I am not out of breath while I am doing house hold chores.

Therefore, I recomend we recall our good traits we like and embrace them and ignore the media money making scheme.

Oggie, ha! But too true, isn't it? And sad. But thanks for the reminder Lisa, we really can't please everyone, can we. I really like the idea about just turning away from the TV and enjoying the music. Seems like there's a moral in there. I'm doing a little better today, but I'll tell ya, I won't ever watch those shows again. I don't know, I thought I was building some stronger self-esteem but I was overwhelmed by the images of skinny women and felt so inadequate. Maybe I need a good dance!

Thanks gang,

Suzi

I wouldnt let it get to you. I love watching Top Model. If for anything, the catty fights. It's too funny. :laugh: Those girls are way too skinny anyway. They look so emaciated. I wouldnt want to look like them even if I could. The one plus sized girl that got booted was the prettiest one, in my opinion. As for the music videos, I like to look at them for inspiration. Theyre not just thin, but fit. I'd take a thicker body with muscle tone over a stick thin figure any day. I know it's hard when society makes them out the be ideal shape, but remember, isnt size 12 the average for an American woman? So if thats the average these girls are the minority that just happen to be "blessed" with those genes. And besides, just from looking at your stats youre doing great! Don't let those shows mess with your head. :hug:

Well video girls are bigger then models most times but they are totally being oversexualized at all times. Have the time the scenarios they have the girls in have nothing to do with the lyrics. It is just for the senasationalism of sex sales.

I definitely agree with you there Lisa. But I wasnt reffering so much to the "booty shaking" :laugh: videos as I was the videos with actual accomplished dancers. (men and women) Missy Elliot comes to mind. I like to see videos with them actually dancing. I think it awesome what some of them can do. :dc

the best dancers are the ones on the ALI G show... those are real women... :D

But it is sad that only in comedy can real women be shown... though I have to hand it to ALI G-- because by getting average looking chicks with bellies and cellulite up there on his show, well the contrast to what we see on every other tv show is just SHOCKING.

SHOCKING enough to be funny-- but it always has made me kind of think-- what kinds of standards do we have for who we see on tv anyway?

That's an idea to send to Adbusters... this magazine which basically incites its readership to do things a little subversive.

MMMM... Hehehe... how fun would that be if it happened? SO FUN!

:D

I don't know, to me it inspires me. I can't tell you how many times I've sat in front of the tv eating some form of chocolate and peanut butter, and I saw a beautiful actress or an exercise show or something with skinny or fit people and it made me feel so guilty that I wouldn't finish what I was eating. Hmm.. maybe I should watch more tv! :laugh:

Well,

Since top model is in its 4ths season some one has to be watching. Also there were over a 1,000 submissions to be on the show. I think if the show is going to make you feel bad don't watch.

I totally stop watching American Idol after what they did to Frenchy. So I say feel free to take your stand. Be it with a remote or a letter or a picket sign.

Did you know that some models have their 2 lower ribs surgically removed so as to look thinner . No wonder we all see the "chuuby girl " in our mirrors , we haven't surgically mutilated ourselves :( I think the fashion industry is getting soooo twisted !

Hehe!

Not only do they have their ribs removed to look thinner-- they have them removed BECAUSE they are so thin, the ribs stick out in an unappealing way. Its not fun to look at a skeleton.

Well I was watching top model. I was really hoping Brandy was going to get kicked off due to a bad attitude proving that inner beauty enhances the outer beauty. But no they kicked of the 25 year old 138 lb woman, calling her a side of beef. The woman was 5'8". I know people who would commit a crime to see 160 let alone 138. In that case I think they made the wrong choice.


It didn't make me feel bad for me while I was watching. I really felt bad for all the girls/women of the world who have to make their living off their looks. I am blessed to have self-esteem and trade so I am not manipulated by some man in the body oogliying trades.

As a man let me tell you that extremely thin things like the ones those who can be covered by one hand are not of interest.

Gals with meat are fun ! And nice ! :o

I know exactly how you feel. Last night I was watching America's Next Top Model and I wanted to just throw something at the screen and start crying. It's just...horrible. I'm big boned, but I have the height, but I'll never be a model because no matter howmuch weight I lose, I am STILL big boned!

It makes me very depressed. :c(

Ahh... well being a model would be overrated anyway I think...

Their careers usually don't last a long time, my guess is that they spend most every day of their lives worrying what will happen as they age and gain ounces. Not fun if you ask me!

Yeah,

America's Next Top Model.. I watch that show every Wednesday and I think those judges are very condescending. I mean they want a model that is thin and has great features but she can be a plus size model also she does not have to be a reject barbie. But some movies make me feel bad too because I don't like Love don't Cost A thing with Christina Milian and Nick Cannon because the popular kids downed the outkast and I don't like that when people treat individuals as not a equal they treat them like they are lower than dirt like they're a parasite I can't understand that yet I don't per say like people to treat people like they are not human.. People will be cruel and that won't ever stop but I just hope that they stop and think what they're actually doing to these individuals are they bringing their self -esteem down even more making them suicidal and making them dig an early grave I just don't understand where people get off with being so concieted. Society is Concieted at times because they don't stop to acknowledge the people that down below the popular people maybe the people that don't get as much publicity stunts as other celebs do i just don't like people that waste money when they could be giving it to charity but they are buying cars with it and they have these cars but they don't drive them and that gets on my nerves because they have all the money in the world and they could be helping the Aids Foundation or helping a child who has no food or clothes to put on their back their are a whole lot of things that you can do with Money you just have to make that choice when you're ready to make that choice we will be 100% behind you and we will be here with open ears.

I'm currently taking a class called the Psychology of Women, and it covers alot of what's being mentioned. Of course, it's final message seems like it's gonna be, society (and men) are evil; but basically you get what you're buying. If you buy Cosmo, the ads will all be emaciated freak chicks, if you buy Real Simple you'll see real people and ads for Flonase. Advertisers want to shock you into remembering their names, same goes with music videos, shock people and they'll remember you when you're in line to buy a cd. Or, when you want to view TV that arrests and entertains, you'll go where that' s happening.

For me, I do get depressed when I look at magazines or commercial TV; I stick with bizarre cable (Food network, Bravo, TMC, kids channels (cuz I have a kid, no tthat I like ads for Mattel)) and try to keep myself active--when I'm active, my endorphins kick in and I can't watch destructive media :D

Since I've never looked like anyone on tv or in a magazine, I don't really get too depressed by popular media-- because its just not congruent with my reality.

What bugs me though is when other people have their opinions of what's the norm formulated in part by watching tv or reading magazines, and then apply that to me.
Its like: GO AWAY with your stupid unrealistic standard!