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By Samantha Thomas, December 29, 2010

With just three sleeps to go until we ring in 2011, numerous New Year’s Resolution articles are popping up all over the place.

Unsurprisingly, a huge number of these focus on weight loss. For the past few years, weight loss has eclipsed quitting smoking as the thing that tops most peoples NYR’s wish list. This isn’t really unsurprising given that fatness is almost unpatriotic in todays anti-obesity environment. Over on Twitter it’s pretty interesting how many people are either bemoaning the fact that they have put on a few kilos over Christmas, or celebrating that they remarkably haven’t gained any at all!

Let’s face it. We are a bit overly fixated with fatness, getting fat, and losing weight. And you know where this has got us? Nowhere. It hasn’t made us healthier. It hasn’t made us happier. And it hasn’t made us skinnier. For some some people, it has done exactly the opposite.

A recent pop-study out today, showed that over half of those who make a NYR in the UK will have weight loss as their primary goal.  The interesting thing for me, is that only 15% of people wanted to spend more time with their families. And while most American’s will not make a Resolution this year, 16% of those who will say that weight loss is their primary goal for 2011. In Australia, our pop-NYR-study shows that 60% of us want to lose weight.

Not surprisingly, very few people actually keep their New Year’s Resolutions. One study conducted some 20 years or so ago, tracked 200 people who made resolutions over a two year period, to see how many actually kept their NYR’s. At 2 years, only 19% still had kept their promises. Some suggest that one of the reasons resolutions fail is because many resolutions are desires rather than intentions – i.e. they are things we want, rather than things we act upon.

However, in the case of weight loss, here is why I think our NYR’s fail. Because most people will look for that quick fix ‘fad diet’ that doesn’t work for the majority of people. And that is because….. DIETS DON’T WORK! It is really that simple.

And yet so many of us each year are completely suckered into the seductive claims of the weight loss and fitness industry, which play on your desire to be a ‘better’ ‘happier’ ‘healthier’ person each year. The mass advertising campaigns of the weight loss industry will ramp up over the next few weeks. Already Women’s Magazines are starting their ‘New Year – New You’ campaigns. This weeks edition of New Idea is a classic example:

“New Year, New You: Stars tell how to stay in shape at any age! Some of Australia’s most recognisable – and brave! – women come together to bare their beach bodies and celebrate beautiful female figures at every age. Wearing a selection of stylish swimwear, Seven’s Rachael Finch, 22, TV presenter and model Chloe Maxwell, 34, The Morning Show host Kylie Gillies, 43, entertainer Rhonda Burchmore, 50, and Dancing with the Stars judge Helen Richey, 64, strip down to their beach essentials in an exclusive photo shoot for New Idea. The stars speak candidly about their attitudes to health, fitness and how they maintain their fabulous figures while juggling their careers, relationships and families.”

And a similar theme in Woman’s Day, which get’s stars to share their tips for getting your body ‘beach ready’ at any age.

Not quite sure how these mags are promoting positive body image and body diversity, but I digress! But maybe it is images like these that keep us going down the wrong path for the ideal ‘thin’ body?

So what is your experience with New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have one? Have you kept one? Are you planning one for 2011? Any advice for people who might be contemplating a weight loss diet?

Oh and BTW – Weight Loss Diets are not always sold as diets. ‘Low fat’, ‘low carb’, ‘lifestyle change’, ‘healthy eating plan’ ‘Weight loss plan’ ‘No diet, diet’ ‘Weight loss secret’…. All Diets!

Here’s to a happy, healthy, diet-free New Year!

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By Samantha Thomas, November 28, 2010

I’ve had AMAZING bloggers block this week. It might be due to the fact that I’ve started a new job (SQUEEE!!) and have been a bit busy settling in and getting to know everyone.

But this morning the drought is over. All because of one little made up word.

Someone had linked me to an article about the sexualisation of women, which had misused the word “slutty” (in her opinion and in mine). But there in the middle of the article was this word which really caught my attention.

VA-JAY-JAY.

Until yesterday I had never heard of this word (yes I live in a total culture isolation cave!!). Here is how the word was used:

“The display included one squatting store mannequin who was flashing rather a lot of va-jay-jay. Not literally, as she was wearing a pair of micro utility shorts and of course, most store dummies aren’t that anatomically accurate. But anyone walking past the boutique was confronted by the mannequin’s crotch and it did seem a little in-your-face. Not to mention vulgar.” (Frockwriter, 26th November 2010)

Now firstly, I had to read and re-read the sentence a few times. I couldn’t work out whether she meant Vulva or Vagina. And then, given that this was a blog that was meant to be pro-women, I was totally stumped about why she wouldn’t use either of those correct terms.

So, after a desperate call on Twitter for some edumacation about this word, this is what I learned:

1. Apparently it is an Oprah ‘ism’ – A word that Oprah made up to describe her own genetalia.

2. Then it was used in Grays Anatomy as a way of getting round US censors who wouldn’t let the word Vagina be used more than once in an episode.

So even in a medical telly show we are not allowed to use the correct words to describe female genitals? Can someone tell me how the word Vagina (or Vulva) is different from Arm, Leg, Liver, Spleen etc etc etc.

The word Va-jay-jay now seems to be used pretty widely as a cutesy descriptor. And we now have spin-offs, such as Vajazzle! Jennifer Love Hewitt recently spoke about decorating her bits (I use bits because I’m not sure which bits she is actually referring to):

“It’s called vajazzling,” she said. ‘After a break-up, a friend of mine Swarovski-crystalled my precious lady and it shined like a disco ball… Women should ‘vajazzle’ their vajay-jays, I am currently vajazzled… It’s cute.”

You can even buy tee shirts with the slogan ‘I heart Va-jay-jay’ on them.

And now Va-jay-jay seems to be a new favourite word for magazines like Cosmo, which they emblazon all over their covers (generally hovering somewhere over the celebs crotch).

So, I guess my question is, why do we find it so hard to use the word Vagina? Men and women have always had nick names for their genitalia, but why do we find the ‘correct’ words so difficult to use in public? Studies have consistently shown that well over half of women feel awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassed when the use the word ‘Vagina’. And other studies suggest that even in gynaecological appointments, doctors and patients very rarely utter the ‘V’ words.

So is the popular use of words like Va-jay-jay merely reinforcing that words like Vagina and Vulva are still socially unacceptable, and taboo topics for discussion? Or are they merely just a bit of fun?

On the flip side, do slang words actually allow us to talk more freely about sexuality, and sexual health without embarrassment?

What do you think?

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By Samantha Thomas, October 13, 2010

So today I discovered Culture Magazine. They posted a bunch of photos from their latest edition on Facebook, and one of my friends recommended them as “AWESOME”.

I don’t know that I agree. Actually for me these images are just really disturbing.

I’m sure they are considered edgy and creative and cool by some sectors of the community. But I think they send some really dangerous messages about women and the female body.

I don’t really understand what type of ‘culture’ Culture Magazine is promoting here.

Any thoughts?

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By Samantha Thomas, September 3, 2010

Breast Cancer is a massively important issue for women. If you haven’t had a boob check, or haven’t learned how to examine your own breasts then it is sooooo important that you do so. Go on… it doesn’t take long! You can do it!

Now, with that good public service announcement out of the way, I want to show you this. It was sent to me this morning by my dear friend Claire Vickery from the Butterfly Foundation who was absolutely shocked by what she had received in her email inbox. Claire has done some of the most incredible work in the area of body image and eating disorders in Australia. She is a very inspirational woman.

Anyway, when I received this from Claire I had to look at it a few times before I could see what on earth was going on. And then I just had one of those “OMG!” moments. Here is what I saw:

I  NEED YOUR HELP!

I’m  trying to find out who sells this  mirror!

Mail  this to 13 other women. Now, don’t break the chain!   OK gals, now that you have had your laugh, remember… Breast Cancer Awareness… Go have those boobs  checked out and stay healthy!  Pass the message on to your  mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends, and  even your enemies.  Because the WORST enemy is Breast  Cancer.

Now I don’t know where this viral email came from, but can I say, it is just the most freaking ridiculous promotion for getting your breasts checked that I have ever seen. Because let me tell you a few things about fat chicks and breast exams. Statistics show that the vast majority of women who are ‘obese’ do not go for preventative health checks – including breast exams and pap smears – because they are either: a) embarrassed about their bodies; or b) have had their bodies made fun of by doctors. So I’m wondering how an ad like this does anything to make any women – fat or thin – feel okay about going to the doctor to have preventative health checks WHICH COULD SAVE THEIR LIVES!

Breast health is a very important and serious issue. So is body image. Why do we have to make fun of one thing to try and encourage people to do another, or to take notice of the health message we are trying to give?

So next time you see one of these ads, don’t pass them along to your mates. Break the chain and press the delete button.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: SOME MORE CAMPAIGNS

Here are a few more recent ads for Breast Awareness. Obviously there is still a play here on body image obsession. I’ve heard some really mixed reactions to these. What do you think?