PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

A lot of talk has been buzzing around lately about the Skinny Bitch books and the underlying message it portrays. Yes, the authors encourage you to eat your veggies and do the animals a bit of justice at the same time. I'm all for that, believe me! But the problem I have with this series is, just like every other diet-fad book out there, the main (interpreted) message is,
"Put down the donut and eat an apple, you big, fat slob!"

Skinny does not equate to Healthy, especially not the artist's rendering of exactly how skinny one should strive to be. I personally think the cartoony pictures on the cover look like a glammed up version of Olive Oyl! Who exactly thinks she has ever been attractive, outside of her spinach-munching beaux? Betty Boop and even Minnie Mouse had it going on compared to her!

To me, books like these both project and reinforce a negative body image for women, which we certainly don't need more of in this day and age. I'm a size 14, I have curves, and I have a pootch. Does this mean I'm not healthy? Not at all! I could stand to drop a little more weight, which yes, I've been doing a fine job at that, but maybe only a couple more sizes down.

What you need to be asking yourself is if you are doing all you can to reach a realistic goal weight for your body size. But before that, you need to love yourself for who you are right now. All any diet will ever do for you is enhance what you already have, both positive and negative. After all, most diets fail miserably because the underlying problems and bad habits had not been resolved beforehand.

People seem to forget that the epitome of sexy, Marilyn Monroe, was a size 12, and that statistically, most men desire women to be curvy. Bettie Paige is also considered a major hottie, and she too was famous for her curves, among other things! (Where do you think the term "being a Betty" comes from anyway?)

If you want a guy's perspective, look no further: A male friend of mine said something to me once that makes a lot of sense: "Skinny women look hot with the right clothes on, but curvy women are hot even when they're wearing nothing at all."

Therefore, if you are doing all you can to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, then guys will definitely take notice, if they haven't already! Love yourself first, be confident in who you are and screw the hype!