Let's start a Revolution

It's almost the end of January, and I know 99% of you made some sort of "be more healthy" goal for 2015. and for many people this goal includes dieting, exercise, and pinning excessive amounts of thinspiration pins on Pinterest. we're going to cut out all processed sugar, or get to the gym every day until we have that perfect six pack that we see on those Pinterest models. or we're going to join some marketed "health" product to lose weight (which of course involves losing money because you have to pay a fee to get their special products in order to lose that weight).

and the list goes on.

but when did living a "healthy lifestyle" equate dieting? or when did the "perfect" size become 10 pounds lighter than you already are? why is it that we are never satisfied with our bodies?

for over a century women have been changing their bodies to fit what society says is perfect. from corsets for tiny waists, to binding feet, to wrapping our chests to looks like we have no chest, to making our hair enourmously huge, we as women have let the world tell us what beauty is. specifically media has been telling us that we are not enough- that our bodies are not enough. but who are they to tell us?

in media our bodies are shown as parts. a pair of legs; some plumb lips; perfect abs; the silkiest, thickest hair.

newsflash: we are MORE.

why is it that we are constantly allowing ourselves to be objectified? and why are we objectifying others? "I'll be happy once I lose this muffin top." ""I need to tone up my arms." "I want to get a six pack." "I need to get the perfect swimsuit body before summer." and the list goes on.

I may be wrong, but if we are constantly belittling and judging ourselves and others, how are we ever supposed to do anything, let alone change the world??? We have got to stop it! but how?

my friends at Beauty Redefined are heading a revolutionary campaign to not only take back beauty, but to redefine beauty. my thoughts today have been based off my own indignation against dieting and thinspo, as well as an inspirational presentation done by these powerful women in my singles ward.

because I am a Latter-Day Saint, and I believe strongly that Heavenly Father gave us our bodies as a precious gift, may i share with you a quote from one of my favorite men? President Uchtdorf said, "When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!" Girls, this includes hating, ignoring, ridiculing or wanting to cause harm to our own bodies. 

so let's stop. let's rethink. let's be more- more than our bodies, more than the lies that media tells us, more than what we've trained our brains to think is perfect. 

[i will be doing a series of posts on the subject of body image, media and how it affect body image, dieting, and redefining beauty. i hope you join me, add your thoughts and comments, and check out beautyredefined.net]