Beach body and other nonsense

I was talking with Doina the other day about how some shops have really bad changing rooms. I don’t know if you ever felt the same, but sometimes you go in to try your clothes and you end up hating what you see. I’m not talking about the clothes that you’ve tried on. I’m talking about emotions that you end up having about your body. So, D thought it happened to her because of the mirror, while my strategy was to blame the light. Why I thought it was the light? Well, in some stores I would look like I was covered in cellulite head to toe, while in others I felt like a Victoria’s Secret Angel! In real life I’m neither of, but bad light or not, this made me think about complicated feelings we have with our bodies. In this time when media is constantly pressuring us to look this way or that way, how do we stay ok and happy in our own skin?

beach body
Just one of the million examples of beach body advertising

One of my favourite things that I saw in magazines was this talk about “beach body”. You probably came across it too, and if not, well it basically talks about getting your body ready for the beach. It tells you, between the lines, that your body needs some working out so that it can be shown in a bikini the upcoming summer. Now, a few things bug me about this concept. I get it, we can all be a bit self-conscious from time to time and especially when the temperature is so high that you don’t have much clothes on. But, should this really be something that will make us feel anxious and insecure? Now don’t get me wrong, I support the part that encourages us to work out, I just don’t like the reason behind it. I say you should try to work out regularly throughout the year, and you will definitely feel better and healthier about yourself. A “beach body” shouldn’t be a project that you will stress about for a few months before the bikini season. It shouldn’t be something that makes you panic when you think about going to the beach. Take care of yourself and your body so that you would be healthy. And the beauty part comes from being happy with who you are and that is much deeper than the skin you’re in.

beach body
Someone’s funny respons to the previous ad. (this is not an official Dove campaign)
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Ivona Josipovic is a co-founder of The Smoke Detector, writer, fashion stylist, social media manager, curious creature, chocolate lover.

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14 comments

  3. Amazing positive post and I totally agree! We should always try to work out and not because society asks us, but because it is beneficial for our body and soul. We should feel good in our own body, not ashamed or compared with supermodels. We are all beautiful in our own way!

    xo
    http://www.carinavardie.com

    Reply

  4. I agree with how much pressure there is on women to be skinny – I’m naturally quite slim but can’t stand seeing these ‘extra skinny’ models on the catwalk or on advertising campaigns – I love the dove girls and think they’re showing beauty at it’s best!
    Real women in real campaigns, why should we feel the need to get ‘beach body ready’ – be happy with how you are and that’s the main thing 🙂

    Love posts like this !!!

    Layla xx

    http://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
    http://www.youtube.com/sprinklesofstyle

    Reply

  7. Ivona, thank you so much for bringing this up! I agree with everything you said about “beach body” concept, and I also noticed how the light in some fitting rooms make us feel ugly and insecure. I never buy anything in stores like that, lol.

    http://www.yuliannova.com/

    Reply

    1. I try to stay out of those shops too 😉 Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion. Have a great weekend, Yulia. xo

      Reply
  12. Pingback: Do you love or hate your body? - The Smoke Detector

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