This article came across my facebook feed today.
Brooke Birmingham is a healthy lifestyle blogger asked by Shape magazine if they could feature her weight loss story (down 172 lbs). She submitted a picture of herself in a bikini as her after picture and they asked for another picture with her wearing a shirt. They claimed it was company policy, she's certain they do not want to feature a picture with the reality of massive weight loss (lose skin) front and centre.
The comments on the article run the gauntlet, some are thrilled that she is so proud showing off her un-airbrushed body. Some insist the magazine was in the right, they are in the business of motivating others and lose skin isn't going to do that.
I believe we have a several lack of realistic bodies in the media for both men and women already. But on the other hand I wonder, how many would start down a weight loss journey without that picture perfect 'goal' body in their heads? What if we knew the reality of where we were going to end up?
Either way it's interesting to see a whole conversation starting on the topic. Anyone else think it was the magazines right to only show 'inspirational' pictures? Or should fitness mags start featuring realistic afters?