Yesterday I read a fantastic blog post by Sophieologie titled, “This Trendy, Stong is the New Skinny Thing (and what it could mean for the next generation of girls)”. Sophie really brought home the message that under the mire of commercialization to what beauty “should be” for years has pushed girls and women to the precipice of fad dieting and the concept, to be a bonerack meant you were more desirable. This is now being pushed out-of-the-way by “Strong is the New Sexy” movement that we’ve seen building over the last year.

AND I FOR ONE AM SO EXCITED….

I’m so proud of fellow bloggers like Sophie, Suzie from UrbanCountryStyle and Glynn from A Reel Lady (just to mention a few), who are collectively announcing their commitment to health and to create the strongest body and mind that they can.

Think of how much someone could accomplish if they focus on what their body can do verses simply what it looks like. I for one am first to admit I’ve fallen into this trap for most of my life. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m predisposed to having curves, but with that I’m also genetically blessed to being able to build muscles fast, I guess Hobbits are lucky in a sense.

BUT I NEVER SAW IT THAT WAY…

Looking back on my highschool experience it could have been much different. I was lucky my parents promoted sports and I fell into competitive ski racing at an early age so I was surrounded by other kids with the mindset of while being strong wasn’t necessarily cool, it was essential to success on the hill.

But going to highschool at a time when Kate Moss was the top supermodel wasn’t the easiest on a teenager that lifted weights and tried to gain muscle mass in the off-season. I didn’t fit in with the rest of my waif like, prepubescent peers that called me Bubble Butt and Thunder Thighs. I remember being horrified when my 9th grade gym teacher called me up to the front of the class and made me flex my legs to show what “mature calf muscle definition” looked like. I remember thinking,  “awesome could I be alienated anymore from my skinny, non-muscular friends”.

But my sports got me through that. Because of my bulging calves I’ve climbed some amazing mountains and descended their slopes even faster on a pair of skis. I can draw my bow back easily at 50 lbs from all the push ups and triceps dips. It’s mentally made me tougher and self-confident for life’s lumps and bumps in general because I know what I’m made up of.

AND THAT’S WHY I’M SO HAPPY…

I hope this “trend” kicks in high gear and resonates through our society to girls and women of all ages. As Sophie wrote and I can’t say it any better so I’ll share it with you.

“Dear Society: Please assist me in convincing young girls that “strong is the new skinny”.

Encourage them to eat. Don’t let them diet. Discourage the idolization of anorexic and bulimic celebrities. Make them exercise instead. Teach them that “exercise” means running, jumping, sweating, grunting, working hard, and kicking ass- it doesn’t mean flapping their arms around in some trendy, overpriced Trogalaties course, or running on the elliptical until they pass out. Help them realize their own strength. All of these things will help girls realize their full potential, both physically and mentally. It will help girls become self-confident, capable, and literally and figuratively strong. A girl who is encouraged to be strong instead of skinny will have higher self-esteem, respect, ambitions, and worth. She will never be a victim. She will be healthy. She will be a leader. She will be confident. She will be kick-ass.

Spread the strength.“