Green-Eyed Monster or Body Positivity?

Sydney Sweeney showed up at a media gala in a mini skirt and crop top, looking fit and healthy, and the whole world has turned out to criticize this lovely young woman because SHE IS FIT. Are you kidding me? This is coming from a 65-year-old woman who has waged the battle of the bulge for my entire life. I am NOT a freaking Barbie Doll, and neither is Sydney. She is an average young girl who has struggled with low self-esteem and decided to FIX IT. There is no jealousy as furious as the jealousy that is kindled by someone actually putting in the work to be fit. Why don’t people channel all that energy into fixing their own issues instead of criticizing those who continually work on it?

Work Out for True “Body Positivity”!

Fit people DO NOT just wake up like that. Those celebrities who have had surgeries and photo shop and all that, also work their collective butts off and even without all that crazy stuff would still look better than most of us. However, if they have achieved a look with drugs, surgeries and other hazardous means, they will not be healthy for long. Professional body builders are dropping dead every day because they wanted a look more than they wanted to be healthy. There is NOTHING about Sydney that indicates that she is a drug user. She is not that kind of fit. She is at a healthy weight and appears to eat well and work out sensibly. Whatever she does has created a HEALTHY looking body. She is NOT emaciated or anorexic looking.

Confidence for Body Positivity

As far as the fashion trend of the low-rise skirts and jeans, that’s what fashion does. If it stayed the same all the time, the industry could not sell us anymore clothes! Why shouldn’t she wear that outfit? By today’s standards, it’s almost modest. The hypocrisy is astounding. Plus size models can get on social media all but naked, call it “Body Positivity” and everybody applauds. Could it be that we want the bar set low enough that we don’t have to work to grab it? Give me a break. Jealousy is impossible to hide.

Appropriate Styles Build Body Positivity

She is being criticized for bringing this trend back. It was already back. There’s nothing wrong with this trend. The only problem I have with it is people who don’t look good wearing it, doing it anyway. Every fashion is not meant for every body. Why should a fit girl wear plus sized fashion? I cannot get the images out of my mind that I saw years ago in Walmart when everybody thought they could wear Britney Spears style.

PLEASE, Ladies! I don’t want to see your thong in the produce section. Use some common sense. If you’re wearing low rise ANYTHING, make sure it fits well and stays put when you bend or squat. Believe me, if you are fit enough to wear the trend well, your jeans won’t have to be so big at the top that they slide to your coccyx when you squat. They will pretty much stay put. If they slide to your thighs every time you bend over, you are not meant to wear them. They are too big in the waist because you are carrying belly fat. That means that low rise is not meant for you, just as other trends are not meant for Britney or Sydney. We are not all the same and should not dress the same. Get a grip on reality. Even if you are not overweight, if you have a muffin-top and you get your jeans big enough to fit at the top, they will slide down to your thighs when you squat for that bag of potatoes. Just DON”T.

Get Healthy for True Body Positivity

The flat stomach that Sydney is sporting is a goal that we should all have. While ironing board flat may not be entirely possible for everyone, we can all get pretty close to that with hard work. Belly fat is associated with a host of health risks including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and breathing problems (1) While most people want to get rid of it because they don’t like the appearance, the way it looks is almost insignificant compared to the health risks. Along with adding inches to the waist and abdomen, it also wraps itself around your internal organs deep inside. Belly fat is even associated with an increased risk of premature death, even if you are not otherwise overweight. So, the skinny-fat body that carries a muffin top around the middle, but still sports thin legs, is also at risk.

True Body Positivity

To get an idea of how much belly fat you have, measure your waist just above your hipbone. make sure the measuring tape is snug but does not squeeze into your skin. Don’t hold your breath. Relax, exhale and measure. Women should measure 35 inches or less and men should measure no more than 40 inches.

If you find that you are carrying too much fat in your belly, consult your doctor for a recommended calorie allowance and track your calories. To get the most food for your calories, avoid added sugars and processed foods. Eat whole foods and cook at home whenever possible. Restaurant portions are too big and usually have added calories in sauces, fats and hidden added sugars. Never drink your calories! Sugary drinks will rush into your bloodstream and cause an insulin release and then you will get ravenous! Drink 0-calorie drinks including water. Check with your doctor to see what kind of exercise that he recommends and then DO IT! As a general rule, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week is a good place to start if your doctor approves. Strength training will increase your muscle mass and muscle is a metabolic superstar. Slow weight loss is always better than losing fast. If you lose fast, your habits don’t change. You merely “diet” to the desired weight and then almost immediately put the weight back on. Slow weight loss is also better for your face and body. Your skin will look so much better if you lose weight slowly.

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR BEFORE BEGINNING ANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. You can use My Fitness Pal to help you track your calories or write them down. We also have the Calorie Counter Pro that can give you an idea of what can be a healthy caloric allowance for most people.

Instead of criticizing those who have worked hard to achieve what we want to do, why not use them for inspiration? They show that our goals are possible. When we work hard and make progress and live a healthy lifestyle day in and day out, we will have body positivity for the right reason, our body is healthy and serves us well.

Create Your Life.

Dream Big. Work Hard. Make It Happen.

(1) Belly fat in women: Taking — and keeping — it off – Mayo Clinic