"Beauty Mark"

In class this week we watched the video “Beauty Mark”. This video touches on the negative ways in which the media and society portray beauty, while also investigating the hardships faced by Diane Israel in her quest to fit the social ideals. Diane Israel, a former elite athlete turned psychoanalyst, was angered by the stories of many of her clients suffering from eating disorders and negative body image. In her quest to find the reasons behind their problems, Israel was forced to face her own demons surrounding these issues.

For me, this video was greatly moving. The majority of my life so far has been spent participating in aesthetic based sports. In both cheerleading and gymnastics, small, toned bodies are highly valued. These requirements, along with vigorous exercise regiments and eating plans may give many participants unhealthy body images and feelings. No matter how high you jump, or how toned you are, many young people associated with these sports may feel insufficient. In the video, similar issues were brought up around runners and individuals in the athletic industry.

The question that I have to ask is WHY? Why is society so obsessed with the notion of perfection? Also, who decided what perfect looks like, and why do so many people feel the need to fit that standard? It has become more of than just a physical aspect of life. For many, it has become a mental anchor that pulls them deeper and deeper into the depths of darkness every day.

Having friends and loved ones who suffer from disordered eating, this problem has become a real and pressing problem in my immediate world. It makes me wonder what the future holds. If so many good, smart, athletic people can suffer from these problems, what is stopping them from affecting me? What will happen when we have children? These are the types of pressures I would like to save to my children from. I want future generations to know that they are beautiful. “Beauty Mark” was for me deeply moving, and proved that social norms are affecting all of us, and need to be changed to ensure a healthier future for everyone.

Michelle Dietz

Barriers to Physical Activity

Today, in class, we talked about various barriers women may have to physical activity. One that really stood out for me was the prioritization of the needs of others over our own. Growing up I was always encouraged to participate in physical activity. At the same time, exercise was portrayed as a luxury and something that was done for your own personal good. These mixed messages gave me bittersweet associations with physical activity. Although I felt envigorated and happy after working out, there were times when I questioned whether I should have been doing something to help those around me instead.

To avoid feeling selfish I tend to go through a self-talk to motivate and remind myself of all the benefits and important aspects of physical activity. I remind myself that I will be more patient and energetic towards my family and will be able to help them more efficiently after spending some time on myself. It is interesting how as women we are so culturally trained to place ourselves second. I wonder if many men tend to experience this guilt as well.

-Anat Journo