Body Image: Casey Daulbaugh

Markula’s (2001) article, Beyond the Perfect Body: Women’s Body Image Distortion in Fitness Magazine Discourse, discussed how positive self-esteem was portrayed as an important personality trait in the early 1990’s by fitness magazines for women.  Self-esteem was also linked to the confidence and fitness level of an individual; however, beauty was believed to be linked to personality of the individual instead of their body type. 

Freedman (1991) believes that an individual’s self-esteem and body image are connected, which contributes to the issue of body image we have in today’s society.  This connection began to have a negative effect on women’s self-esteem around 1994, when magazines started to focus on how weight issues and/or other body related problems, are treated as medical conditions. 

Lazarus (1991) stated, “[w]omen who have confidence and a positive attitude… [looked good as] the new beauty reflect[ed] our growth and self-acceptance” (p. 62).  In the very early 1990’s, this quote reflects the idea of attractiveness being associated with a positive self-esteem/attitude rather than only body image.  Today, I believe that it has done a complete 180 degrees, because of the media’s twist beginning roughly 20 years ago.

I believe that by treating body “problems” as a medical condition led to the popping of diet pills like they are vitamins (literally), which all come with a long list of potential side-effects that may affect the consumer right away, or later on down the road.  In my opinion, with the “ideal” body plastered all over various forms of media, it is difficult to avoid “fads” when you are constantly reminded what you are supposed to look like. 

Again, my opinion, but if you avoid these “fads,” then you are more likely to become discouraged and quit if you pursue a healthier and more natural form of weight loss.  This is because of the amount of self-control, hard-work, discipline, and motivation it takes to eat clean by preparing meals on your own, and completing a healthy and sufficient workout routine.  The “fads” are quick weight-loss methods, but are extremely unhealthy; however, the amount of time and effort it takes to achieve weight-loss goals through healthy means is discouraging, which can steer individuals onto the “fad” bandwagon. 

Also, these “fad” diets and/or exercise videos/routines don’t necessarily teach individuals how to live a healthy lifestyle.  They are psychologically teaching an individual that they need to take “this” pill, follow “this” strict 200-calorie diet plan, and perform “this” workout plan for 13 days (that triathletes even refuse to endure), in order to try to fit into society’s standard of attractiveness.  These individuals are more apt to consistently gain and lose sufficient amounts of weight, and continue to be stuck in a never-ending cycle of psychological and physical stress/pressure to obtain and maintain the “ideal” body.