Strength Over Size: Rethinking Health and Body Image
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Chapter 1: The Myth of Thinness
When did society establish the notion that extreme thinness, such as having skinny arms or any other slender body part, epitomizes health? Recently, while I was at the pool, I saw a woman about seven years younger than me, resembling my former self when I was a size 2. Initially, I felt a pang of envy, as I still long for that size. I won't deny it—I truly miss being a size 2. But why is that?
In my size 2 days, I lacked the strength to lift much. I could only manage to carry babies, and as they grew into toddlers, they became quite heavy. My size 2 body wasn’t capable of squatting 150 pounds. Interestingly, I wasn’t particularly happy at that size either.
So, why do I yearn for that physique again? (I realize there are those who are both skinny and strong, but I wasn't among them!) My former body had limitations that my current one does not. The body I have now can effortlessly carry a three-gallon bucket of water to nourish the chickens. I can stand up without needing to rest my hands on my knees, and I can leap 20 inches onto the back porch as if it were nothing.
Where did we, as a society, go astray in prioritizing thinness over strength? This mindset traces back to the 1800s.
It’s high time we abandon the belief that extreme thinness signifies good health. Reflecting on my past, I see that my fixation on being a size 2 left me feeling weak and fatigued. Now, my body is capable of incredible feats—lifting heavy weights, transporting buckets of water, and moving swiftly. This newfound strength empowers me and instills a sense of capability.
For too long, we have prioritized delicacy over strength, a trend that began in the 19th century with the ideal of the "steel engraving lady." It's time for a shift in our outlook, celebrating robust and capable bodies instead.