Image source: https://scallywagandvagabond.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/plus2.jpg
There's a news story that came out a little while ago that I have been reflecting on. I've attached the link for you if you'd like to check it out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22508670
I wanted to share with you the thoughts that it brought up for me about the that currently rages in our world.
This link will connect you to an article by a 'plus-size' model about clothing sizes and our cultural body image / weight obsession.
I am glad she's speaking up and challenging the status quo and I also question the definition of this woman as a 'plus-size' model.
I personally look at this woman and struggle to label her as plus-sized in any way. She looks simply healthy and balanced to me.
Maybe I have a distorted idea of what plus sized means...I guess if we look at it literally ....plus = more...but more than what? Is it the fashion industry 'what'...which we already know is notoriously dysfunctional and promotes the notion of bone-rack-at-any-cost? I don't think there's anything wrong with being 'plus' that.
Are they referring to the fitness crazed 6-pack-ab, eating clean and lean crowd...not balanced. Not sustainable for most truly and a large proportion of my clients come from this population - dietitians, nutritionists, fitness trainers and coaches, body builders, athletes.
Clearly folks can look 'fit' but be far from it in terms of balanced self-care. Remember this if you're looking at your friend the fitness nut and feeling envious of her slim/toned body. Look deeper - how does she really feel about herself; how is her self-confidence; is her fitness focus about true enjoyment and health and wellness or about needing to be thin. You can be fit and toned and sexy without being a fitness buff and you can look great without having to diet or micro-manage calories and fat grams.
Maybe 'plus-size' to some means 'bigger than normal people'....but, um...what's normal? different bodies, different genetic heritage and different interests are naturally going to produce different norms (is a pro-skater plus sized because her thighs are bigger than others?).
I suppose in reality, try as we might to avoid it...the ugly truth is that for most folks the term 'plus-size' conjures immediate connotations of being overweight. Why do we need the 'plus' in the size - can't there just be different sizes? Again, 'plus' what?
I find the same confounding thinking in folks who get stuck on being 'good enough'. There is no way, ever that you can be 'good enough.' It isn't a thing or a place you can get to. The term 'good enough' on its own means absolutely nothing. You have to qualify it: Good enough for what? Good enough for whom?
Then you get the light bulb moment - Good enough for my mom; for my ex; for the job I want; to travel to France etc.
Once you qualify who or what you're striving to be good enough for you can begin to ask yourself some very valuable and freeing questions:
What, in the first place, makes me think that this person or situation is the accurate determiner of my worth/good enough-ness?
What makes them 'right' and me 'wrong'?
What specifically is the criteria that I believe would make me 'good enough' for this person or situation?
Is it true that I am not that now?
Is it true that I can't be that if I wanted to and spent some time gathering the tools/skills/knowledge etc.?
Would I really want to spend my precious life moments trying to be 'good enough' for that person/thing?
If I weren't so busy trying to make others think I'm 'good enough' what would I really like to be 'good enough' at/for?
Read the rest of my article and offer your thoughts at: http://www.cedriccentre.com/plussizeddebate
