America's new top model ...or top skeleton

[ridethewind]

Unfortunately the girls who aspire to this look are just that-girls. They don't have the wisdom or self confidence that comes with age and look for external validation of their self-worth.

This kind of crap is a direct attack on girls' sense of self-worth. It's beyond disgusting.

[silver]

I hate these threads......

[Tuckervill]

I hate these threads......

Why?

Karen

[silver]

Why?

Karen

because I'm a skinny disgusting bag of bones with a boney butt

[Tri Girl]

because I'm a skinny disgusting bag of bones with a boney butt

But.... you're fit and healthy. If you're a bag of bones who exercises and is healthy, then it's OK. Just those bag of bones who are sooo unhealthy that we're referring to (although maybe you feel you're being lumped in that category- which is a shame).

Me and my athletic build (for me that means big hips, thighs, and calves) would love to shimmy into a size 4, but then I'd lose my cycling legs. Not worth it- I'll take my curvy swervy healthy body anyday.

[missymaya]

I actually watched part of the show last night and one of the things that really really bothered me (either than the whole super skinny aspect) was that the third woman kicked off apparently was kicked off because she looked "too old". What the heck?!! She looked as "old" as me and I'm 23!! They said they could see beginning signs of aging with the "wrinkles" by her eyes. Uh, what wrinkles? Am I blind or something. And even if she did have wrinkles, what's wrong with that. It's normal and everyone gets them. And yes, there are wome out there that look good and have wrinkles.
As for the whole weight issue, I've had a weight problem my whole life and when I was younger (more naive and not as self-confident as I am now) I had an eating disorder to counter my weight. I looked to the women in magazines because I thought that they were "perfect". Boy, was I wrong. It took a long time for me to get over that and it still takes a lot of work for me to not to fall into that trap. Shows like this have great potential to change the way things are and they started out in the right direction (they had 2 "plus size" models, but they got kicked off). But, unfortunately, it's just running in the same direction as the industry. I want to see change! I want to see something different too and maybe going against the grain will accomplish both.

[stacie]

Several months ago I was reading the paper with my husband. Two high school senior athletes were being profiled. The male athlete looked like he could pose on Men's health. The female athlete looked like a female athlete. My husband pointed to the pictures and commented about how fit he looked while she did not. I was shocked. Somewhere along the way he started believing a fit woman looks like a super model.
Women are no different. I am constantly asked to get my husband's opinion on training although I could probably help them more. We recently had an open house and people asked my about my "pro" athlete husband. Another neighbor asked me to ask my husband where she should buy running shoes. I had just completed a marathon. This happens constantly and I really believe it's because he looks like the ideal fit man and I look like a female athlete. They think I should look like a model.
Stop watching this garbage. It has to get in your head when you are constantly subjecting yourself to it.

[Jolt]

But.... you're fit and healthy. If you're a bag of bones who exercises and is healthy, then it's OK. Just those bag of bones who are sooo unhealthy that we're referring to (although maybe you feel you're being lumped in that category- which is a shame).

And a healthy skinny person usually doesn't look like the aforementioned unhealthy type. I'm on the skinnier side as well but have never had anyone think that I have an eating disorder (at least no one that I know of). The same is likely the case for you.

[CR400]

You know in a way this is so ironic. We participate in a sport where usually the thinnest person wins the race up the 3 mile hill. Where if you weigh more then 115 pounds you are going to get dropped on any climb by all the other small ladies. Which are by the way healthy for there weight usually altough most of us will never see 12 to15% body fat. Ladies we participat in an anorexic producing sport everytime we get on our bikes.
It just some of us will never be the 105 5'3 elite hill climber. Its just as bad for the men I have a friend who looks great at 190 pounds 6'1 (almost to thin sometimes) but he wants to weigh 175 pounds so he has a better chance climbing. He is already super fast but can't beat the cycling ideal up a hill 5'10 and 150 or less.
So hay put that woman on a bike for a few months she'll put on a little muscle in her legs and likely beat most of us up that 3 mile climb because she has us beat power to weight.

[Zen]

This kind of crap is a direct attack on girls' sense of self-worth. It's beyond disgusting.

???
I'm not sure if you agree or disagree with me.

[ridethewind]

???
I'm not sure if you agree or disagree with me.

Yes, I do agree with you. Girls' lack of maturity and self-confidence make them susceptible to this kind of thing.

[Laterider21958]

It's unfortunate that these misguided girls are going to be suffering bone density problems in the future (not to mention having their hormones stuffed). There is only one way to protest about this abuse of young, easily influenced people - refuse to watch the program and refuse to purchase merchandise promoted in such a way. Big business hates to lose money.