I read an article the other day of an interview with Lena Dunham from Girls, which I will admit to having never watched or heard of, asking what she would do if she woke up in a Victoria’s Secret model body.
I actually appreciated her response, which was to the effect of that she would not like it because it would create challenges in life that she doesn’t have now. It seems that she has a healthy body image – and a realistic one.
What disturbed me – or I think it disturbs me – is the poll that was attached to the article. Here is the poll and the results. Would you like to wake up with a Victoria Secret model body?
Almost 2/3 of the responders would like that body swap. On first glance it is a fun, lighthearted question, right?
But what does it really say when you would want to wake up in a body that is on the low end of healthy for a BMI. Would the average person do what it takes to stay in a VS model body? While these women are genetically predisposed to this body type – the maintenance is not a cake walk (pardon the pun).
Is is the norm to want to have a BMI that is 18 or a bit under? I appreciate that VS models are ‘larger’ (I wish I could put a thousand quote marks around that) than runway models, but still on the very low end of the BMI. Of course, I hate the BMI number anyway, but still. I would assume 2/3 of the respondents feel that this is okay to aspire to. Where did this come from??
Maybe I read too much into this (must be a jealous h8ter) , but it just niggled in my brain this weekend. It bothers me that so many people view this as a desirable body. I think I also am curious what percentage of these respondents significant others would want the switch. Wonder if they match or are the opposite?
I’m offended that they even asked her that question! Why do “plus sized” women have to answer questions like that? They don’t ask Kate Moss that question.
Anyhoo, off my soap box. Despite embarrassment about my loose skin in certain places from losing 100 pounds, I’m pretty happy with my body. If I could change anything though, I’d want some new knees!!!!!
I hadn’t even thought of the fact that they even asked her the question. Now I am annoyed LOL!
But I tend to be overly sensitive on this issue!
Hmmm. Honestly, the former anorexic in me says yes…so it’s just as well this is only an “in your dreams” thing.
If I’m being truly honest with myself, I would say yes, I would want to be tall and thin like a VS model. I would want smooth (not loose or saggy) skin, no jiggle, no muffin top… Now, do I like the fact that I have this preference? No, not really. I know I should prefer what I’ve got. And to some extent I’ve learned to accept myself the way I am and appreciate all the things my body can do. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like it even more if the lumps and bumps were gone. I can’t help it… it’s just how I feel.
Thank you for being honest about it.
I’m sure this was meant to be a “fun” thing, not scientific, but it gets under my (loose) skin, too. And I agree with Lisa in that it’s an offensive question to ask anyone.
I don’t think entertainment ‘journalists’ really worry about being offensive…
You’re right…it’s unfortunate that that many women would want to change their bodies. I think it speaks to the fact that so many women feel it is impossible to lose weight or be fit, and the only way they could achieve an acceptable body would be through “magic.” So many women have tried and failed to lose weight, too, and that only increases the desire to have quick fix. Maybe someday everyone will find something that works for them. I certainly hope so! I’ve been experimenting with low carb. So far, I like it!
Okay, first I have to LOL at the title of Kaki’s last post.
Now the question. I think most of the people answering didn’t put a whole lot of thought into it. Most of the people who said yes can’t even figure out how to lose weight effectively, much less have any concept of what it takes to maintain at a very low weight. Heck, I know all about that, and I’d still like to have a younger, slimmer, smoother body. Wait. There’s something terribly Dorian Gray about that wish, isn’t there?
The more disturbing thing is like the others said. What gave these (idiots) the right to ask such a question?
Oh, and one more thing they should point out to those 3500 women who said yes. There’s the little matter of needing surgery to have a VS body. How many women say yes now??
I was just thinking the other day that I wanted to reread the Picture of Dorian Gray and here you mentioned it. Now I must find my copy 😀
Models are way to skinny and not representative for the majority of the world population. The clothes the models wear usually don’t fit us.
It’s funny that I saw on FB the other day a pic of H&M mannequins for in the shop with a normal shaped body. I think this is a great initiative of H&M.
As for me: I don’t want a Victoria Secret body. I want a healthy body with shapes so you can see I’m a woman.
Here’s the link of the H&M mannequins:
http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/swedish-mannequins-cause-a-controversy–192108535.html
I saw that mannequin article and I think it is definitely a step in the right direction!
Really interesting discussion Lori!! I guess with my life long struggle to maintain & how hard it is, I might say maybe since I already have to work hard at maintaining & might be fun to be taller for a change! 😉 I am really not sure… so many things I wanted to do in life that I feel comes back to looks… so.. honest – really not sure. Lots to think about here!
Honestly, my gut instinct was to say yes for the sole purpose of not having the extra lumps and bumps and saggy skin. And having a tan and no varicose veins would be nice too, though I’m pretty much okay with my pastiness 99% of the time.
That being said..when I see how much my body has changed for the better as I’ve lost weight, or I finish a run feeling strong I am very comfortable with my body. I think my saggy skin is mostly my own fault for not dealing with eating issues for years, so oh well. Plus, like you said people don’t realize that most of the model thin people are predisposed to that build and then they starve to keep it. No thanks.
Even if I had that body I wouldn’t be showing it off, so it wouldn’t really matter now would it. lol
I looked at that interview article and I’m very pleased to hear someone stand up for feeling good about a less-than-Hollywood-stereotype body. Good for her! I keep encouraging my teen girls that they don’t need to be pencil thin, just healthy.
p.s. I looked up the article Fran linked to above and love that someone was using the size 14 mannequins. However, calling them ‘plus-sized’ ?? Seriously. 😐
Whenever I start feeling bad that my stomach isn’t as flat as VS models or the girls on the cover of Self magazine, I recall an article that I read not too long ago, describing not only the fitness regimen of a VS model, but what they have to do before a shoot. Hint: it involves no solid food for like a week beforehand, and severely restricting fluids for several days before the shoot! So yes, Virginia, there’s a reason my stomach pooches out: it’s called food and water. 😉
I think it can be a motivator to get on the right track to a healthier life style if we look at someone and set a goal. As long as it stays HEALTHY, it’s a good thing. But people also need to have a sense of reality, being – those girls are not quite what they seem. Can you say “Photoshop” – to trim and lengthen?!!!
I think Lisa and others have hit the nail on the head on this one…it really is offensive. I think I’m ok waking up in my own body, but I certainly wouldn’t mind wearing the million dollar diamond encrusted bra. Then I’d sell it…and go on a trip. 🙂 Happy Tuesday Lori.
I watch Girls, one of my new favorite shows on HBO. Lena obviously doesn’t have a perfect body, she has a bit of a belly pooch, and a bigger butt and thighs, but she’s confident enough in her body that she doesn’t care to show it off – I love that about her, not only on the show but in real life.
It’s sad that girls get wrapped up in VS shit – they should know that all those models are air brushed all the time, so it really isn’t realistic to look like that anyway.
Would I want to look like a VS model? Yes. Would I also like to look like a fitness model or even a “plus size” model…yes. I think most of us are unhappy with how we look… Probably even the VS models…maybe. Sigh…
Aspiring to have a VS body isn’t bad, but let’s admit it some models are genetically like that. And for me curvy women are fine, it’s just a matter of discipline for some to achieve the body they want.
And for those who have a weight loss problem let’s just put it this way, like let’s think that it is something inspiring, motivating and challenging. For us to become a better person. 🙂
So, to answer the question, I like just the way I am. 🙂
As long as I’m healthy. 🙂
My main envy with the VS body is height. I’m 4’11 so it would be kind of cool to throw on some jeans and not step on the hems (even petites)! In all seriousness though I’m used to my short,curvy body, I wouldn’t trade it. I used to be obsessed with wanting to be thinner but then I was diagnosed with a Chiari malformation and had brain surgery last October. Now I realize that what is most important is being healthy and happy! My body may not be perfect but it was enough to get me through surgery and recovery. Of all the visible “flaws” I had, it was an invisible one that I actually needed to worry about! Now I don’t care about my weight. I exercise because I feel good enough to after many years of being too sick and too tired. I eat healthy because I want to keep the rest of my body in as good of shape as I can!
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