I don’t watch the news. I don’t read newspapers. I do – however – scan a few different sites for online news each day. Unfortunately (or naturally?!) most of it just pisses me off (and I’m not even talking politics).
Here’s a sample.
From news.com.au
This is Australia’s entrant in the Miss World contest. Obviously she’s lovely. But – according to this news article (which I’m sure is 100% correct!) Courtney Thorpe is in ‘boot camp’ until the competition in December. It’s implied that every day between now and then Miss Thorpe will be hidden away from the world: meditating; exercising with a PT; singing; and eating oats brekkie, chicken and salad for lunch and soup for dinner.
Wow… A lot of effort and training for something she may not win. It’s a bit like she’s training for the Olympics or something. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not dissing beauty pageants. I entered a modelling thing myself at 16 and am close to someone heavily involved in that world now. But – JAYSUS – she looks pretty good now so you can’t tell me she needs to be in a controlled environment for four months to look good?! Surely it’s implying she doesn’t look good enough now?!
This is Brooke Birmingham from ‘Brooke Not On a diet’. Although I closed my Diet Schmiet blog I still follow a few health / fitness / weightloss blogs, so I saw this story when it first erupted a few months ago.
It was shared on my FB feed again today however, and I realised a lot of Aussies may not have seen it.
Brooke has lost an amazing 170lb (77kg) and was selected to be featured by SHAPE magazine. However… they decided against using a bikini ‘after’ photo as initially planned as it obviously didn’t fit the ‘weightloss’ fairytale which only promotes the ‘happily ever after’ (perfection) ending.
What a kick in the guts – after all of that work and success – to be essentially told you’re ‘still’ not good enough; that, while your efforts are admirable, the real you won’t inspire people. I think she looks freakin’ amazing, and well… Brooke showed them. Read more!
From eonline.com
And on a happier note, how much do I love Kayley Cuoco’s new hair?! (That’s a rhetorical question BTW!) I’m a big fan of the Big Bang Theory’s Penny. In fact I think she’s got one of the best figures on TV. She’s not traditionally petite – quite wide-hipped – but looks fabulous even in her Cheesecake Factory skirts. Toned and healthy.
Are you a fan of online news?
Your thoughts on Courtney, Brooke or Kayley?
I’m linking with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.
August 27, 2014
I hadn’t seen that story on Brooke before – WOW what a tremendous effort. Shame on Shape! She is amazing. And I like Kayley too 🙂
August 27, 2014
Yes. I saw her blog post just after it happened, but then saw (via FB) that it was picked up by a news network etc.
I read somewhere that ‘Penny’s’ role is changing BBT – she becomes a sales rep or something, so guess she’s been allowed to change her appearance to cater for the changing role!
August 27, 2014
I’ve almost given up watching the news, I’m actually quite happy to watch kids tv!
August 27, 2014
Far less stressful I suspect… though you often end up with earworms…
August 27, 2014
Thanks for this post. We just need to keep plugging away on this issue. Traditional media are slow to learn that we are heartily sick of this focus on the perfect body. In my twitter feed this video of Malala Yousafzai popped up. She talks about equality, education for girls, life in Swat Valley and her mother learning English and learning to read. She points out that lack of equality is world-wide including US, highlighting the issue of how woman are photographed in the media.
August 27, 2014
Thanks. It occurred to me (as I was sharing this story) that these two fabulous women were essentially being told they weren’t good enough! (I hadn’t even started with that in mind!)
August 27, 2014
I love Big Bang!! I have often opined that it is interesting that she isn’t the “normal” version on television. I like her a lot and like that the show have kept her there with all her body shape changes over the years.
August 27, 2014
Yes, and now with new hair (hopefully). I’m assuming she won’t wear a long wig!
August 27, 2014
I am hit and miss with regard to the news. Great post though
August 27, 2014
Thanks.
August 27, 2014
I never look at online news. I’m old school newspaper and the telly all the way. But that girl going to boot camp! What the? It’s bloody ridiculous.
August 27, 2014
I could understand a bit of a cleanse in the weeks before but to be shunted off for months…. WTF?! Of course I am assuming she’s somewhere nice like a posh retreat! So actually….
August 27, 2014
Love me some Penny – that dress ROCKS! And that is stink they didn’t show her fantastic weight loss, because it’s real, if you loss that much weight there is excess skin , shame on them!
August 27, 2014
I know and Brooke is just stunning – and if that’s what it took for her to get healthy then bloody good on her!
August 27, 2014
Only in my FB feed – and sometimes the local online paper. Good on Brooke – I didn’t lose 77kgs and my belly jiggles like that somewhat.
August 27, 2014
Isn’t she amazing?! I love that she’s ‘keeping it real’! And bloody good on her!
August 29, 2014
Boot Camp that intense seems ridiculous, clearly she already has good habits and is beautiful. Don’t know what more she could achieve from that.
77 kgs is amazing! So awesome! I can’t believe they wouldn’t use a bikini shot. My tummy post twins was crazy but nothing to be ashamed of and she has worked really hard to get to that point. She should be celebrated. There needs to be more images of real women out there!
August 29, 2014
COMPLETELY AGREE!!!! (Yes, am shouting!) 😉