Spending more than an hour or two watching television or flipping through a woman's magazine, one would get the impression that all women are 5'10'', weighting in at 100 pounds.
Guess what?
The average women in the United States is 5'3'' inches tall and weighs 152 pounds.*
Thanks right... reread the facts just to let it sink in!
Five feet three inches tall..... 152 pounds!
According to the research at Lifestyle Monitor, forty percent of women are size 14 or over.
Forty-nine percent of women state they can't find flattering clothing.
Forty-five percent of women say they can't find clothing they like in their size.
So, if you are a women, regardless of your size, take heart. In spite of what is promoted in the media, you are normal, authentic, and great just the way you are!
If you are six feet four or four feet seven, or anything in between, you are still valuable, worthy of respect, and needed on this earth.
Now, I am not a rocket scientist but it seems to me that those in the fashion industry need to get a clue?
Maybe they missed the memo that most real women do not look like the anorexic, airbrushed, photo-shopped, exaggerated Barbie they promote? I don't know but I think it is time they took note of the research and started designing for, and celebrating and honoring ALL women... even the ones that may not look like their models.
Wouldn't it be great if women didn't feel a need to be the unhealthy, unrealistic, exaggerated pretend human beings that we are told we should be, and were able to embrace our real selves, flaws and all?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if our focus was on emotional and physical health rather than appearing in a way demanded by an unhealthy society?
Wouldn't it be great if women and men began to realize that there is enormous value in women accepting themselves, honoring their form, and celebrating their unique individual beauty?
I think so!
What do you think?
*According to the National Department of Health and Human Services.
10 thoughts and insights:
Interesting post. I think in accepting yourself, you need to take your own health in consideration. Having a healthy lifestlye isn't about being 5'10, 100lbs or 5'2 152lbs its about being active enough to be happy between the two ends of the spectrum.
Some of us are naturally tall and thin (though 100 lbs at 5'10 is pretty ridiculous) and we're not any less "real women" than those who are shorter or heavier. But the airbrushed, photoshopped unrealistic magazine photos aren't much of a representation of any woman I know, so in that I agree.
Hi Eathan,
Absolutely!
Thank you for that comment!
My post was intended to focus on health, emotional and physical rather than appearance!
I appreciate your thoughts...
warmest wishes,
Jennifer
Hi Anonymous,
Exactly!
I'm naturally tall and slender as well... I didn't mean to suggest there is anything wrong with this. On the contrary.
My point was that we are all different, all unique and the world is not filled with only one type of women.
Just because someone does not fit the mold of what is attractive doesn't mean they are not fabulous, wonderful, and incredible women!
Thank you for your comments...
Warmest wishes to you,
Jennifer
The basic statement of your post is "You are normal, authentic, and just great the way your are".
I have a colleague who is not really beautiful. By looks. But she is one of the loveliest persons I know. She is witty, she is funny, she has warmth and her heart is of gold.
I told her that she should not worry about her looks, that she is "popular" and that, above all, she will find a decent man. She is only 30 years old.
She is not an average women, she is a real women and she is a wonderful women.
And she is one of the persons you could go and steal horses with.
I really like this post.
To me it says that people need to stop having such unrealistic expectations.
I'm by no means the 5'10 100 pound woman. By all means though, I am happy. I would be happy at any size. There are things that are much more important to me then my weight size.
So again, thanks for such a great post.
Now perhaps someone can deal with the fact the average man is 5'10", yet so many women demand to be with someone 6'2" or more. Someone 5'5" like myself doesn't even get the initial consideration from most women for purely shallow reasons.
Hi Anonymous,
Very well said and you are right... you inspired me to write today's post.
On a blog that is hoping to help women find great men, a reminder that there are great short men is important!
Thanks a bunch!
Jennifer
There's a lot to be said for recognizing the beauty that is "real" in each of us. I have written about it on my new blog www.btc-boutique.com/blog as I launch a business dedicated to lingerie for real women with great taste. It's nice to see there are a lot of like-minded folks out there.
-Chris
The fact is, being 5'3" and weighing nearly eleven stones is not healthy. Certain statistics may be the average, but that doesn't mean they're good for your health.
For instance, 47% of women in Britain are size 16 or above. Yes, it may be popular, but no, it is not healthy.
The term 'real women' doesn't sit well with me. Does that mean whenever someone posts on their blog or writes an article using that phrase, that anyone who doesn't fit in with their chosen size is not 'real'?
For the record, I'm around 5'3" and I think I'm just over nine stones although I never weigh myself - the last time I was weighed was at the nurse's surgery and I don't own my own scales. As long as I can fit into my (size eight) clothes, I'm happy.
But that's because I stop eating when I'm full, and I have self-control when it comes to my eating habits. Women can use the phrase 'real' or 'curvy' all they like but it still doesn't mean being overweight is healthy and it's a fact they're more likely to become ill with heart disease, strokes, diabetes and certain cancers.
Post a Comment