topic Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon in Wellness

Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

violann — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:16:34 GMT

If anyone saw the piece about Brooke Birmingham on GMA this morning you may feel about this as I do. She is a woman who lost some 170 pounds. As should be expected, she has a lot of superfluous skin remaining. After sending a picure of herself to chape, dressed in a very modest two piece bathing suit, she was told that she had to wear a shirt or Shape could not use her comments. She was also told that "all" contributors had to wear shirts. Hmmm, on page 158 of the April 2014 edition, lo and behold, a contributor with a lean, perfectly sculpted little belly shown in a picture to be observed by all readers. That particular woman lost 20 pounds, a solid achievement if you are 20 pounds overweight to begin with. I have lost 80 pounds, and I look like Brooke, and darn proud of it. Yet another attempt to focus weight loss on cosmetic value and totally devalue the health needs of women. If there's a boycott, I'll join it.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Suzeecat — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:22:12 GMT

Shape magazine is simply a beauty magazine just like all the rest, disguised as a "healthy" magazine.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

beautybee — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:22:38 GMT

I think that Shape is like any other magazine aimed towards women. They only focus on image, not reality. I'm not surprised they wanted her to cover up. They can't put her bathing suit picture next to an advertisement of a photo shopped fitness model. They want the readers to buy into the fitness model fantasy. That young woman is brave and hopefully she will inspire many people to focus on fitness and health.

Congratulations on your 80 lb. weight loss. You rock!

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

depglass — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:26:13 GMT

These magazines are just vehicles to get advertising into your hands. I got a free one year subscription to Self years ago and they just keep sending them, three years so far. I wouldn't pay for either one of these magazines.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

terrier3 — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:29:09 GMT

How could anyone be offended by an article in a magazine?

This says a lot more about the boycotter's body image than about the magazine.

Who cares?

This is sooooooo trivial.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

expatgal — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:30:14 GMT

It took me about 20 years to finally figure out that most all women's magazines are doing a LOT more harm than good for women. They only feed the unattainable, unhealthy, unrealistic self-images of young teens/women and that image leaves such a toxic scar. Those images are now etched in American minds so the only "acceptable" image is young, tall, thin ... while in reality a tiny percentage of women actually fall into this category and do so by purely winning the "genetic lottery". I haven't purchased a women's magazine in years and have zero plans to ever do so in the future.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

pinkskates4 — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:31:50 GMT

On 5/8/2014 terrier3 said:
How could anyone be offended by an article in a magazine?

This says a lot more about the boycotter's body image than about the magazine.

Who cares?

This is sooooooo trivial.

Are you kidding?

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

sailor_moon — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:32:57 GMT

On a related note, all season on The Biggest Loser, the contestants weigh in shirtless or wearing a sports bra; but during the final weigh in, everyone covers up their midriff.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

expatgal — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:34:44 GMT

On 5/8/2014 terrier3 said:
How could anyone be offended by an article in a magazine?

This says a lot more about the boycotter's body image than about the magazine.

Who cares?

This is sooooooo trivial.

I strongly disagree. It is anything BUT "trivial". You are totally underestimating the power of the media. We are bombarded with unattainable and unrealistic images of women 24/7. Every time you pick up a magazine, turn on the TV, watch a movie, etc. That is not trivial in my thinking.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Preds — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:45:03 GMT

I saw the piece about Brooke and her picture. She should be more than just proud! She should be celebrated! I think she looks fabulous and happy and healthy. WAY TO GO BROOKE!

Congratulations on your achievements, too, violann! That is an awesome amount. I hope you are celebrating, too.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

gazelle77 — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:48:23 GMT

We the public are SO BRAINWASHED into whatever the media throws in our faces as the norm.... so very wrong, but, it is what we are programed to want---- not only in magazines but, what we see in the mirror. This generates business for all those companies pushing pills, exercise equipment and diets( books etc) and surgery... all to make us strive for perfection. Which of course is impossible......

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Vivian — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:51:46 GMT

I am 67. I go to seven classes per week at the YMCA. I am fit. However, I cannot identify with Shape Magazine. It is a publication NOT meant for me. In fact, I have found no publication with which I can identify. I don't need it although it would be nice to be able to relate to a publication meant for my age and fitness level. That will never happen. So be itl

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

terrier3 — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:52:07 GMT

On 5/8/2014 gazelle77 said:
We the public are SO BRAINWASHED into whatever the media throws in our faces as the norm.... so very wrong, but, it is what we are programed to want---- not only in magazines but, what we see in the mirror. This generates business for all those companies pushing pills, exercise equipment and diets( books etc) and surgery... all to make us strive for perfection. Which of course is impossible......

Nobody has ever brainwashed me.

I want to be healthy and happy, educated, curious and productive.

I look at the mags...I like Life & Style (even though I'm 60!). I never have felt I need to look like a model to buy a nice bag or outfit.

It's something I admire about Rhea Dunham...she is happy with her look.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

mustbuyless — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:55:51 GMT

Shame on Shape. I'm happy to boycott it and I am not surprised either at their philosophy.

Not to want to showcase a woman who has a phenomenal accomplishment- wanting her covered up: just pathetic. Thanks to OP for posting. And congratulations on the 80 pound loss (WOW!)

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

sidsmom — Thu, 08 May 2014 19:35:05 GMT

If she used Weight Watchers to lose all this weight, why wasn't she a success story with Weight Watchers? I would think that would be her focus. Why Shape?

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

chrystaltree — Thu, 08 May 2014 19:42:24 GMT

It's called SHAPE magazine for a reason. It's about fitness and the image of "fit" is slim, trim and taut. I don't see any issue here.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:21:56 GMT

On 5/8/2014 terrier3 said:
On 5/8/2014 gazelle77 said:
We the public are SO BRAINWASHED into whatever the media throws in our faces as the norm.... so very wrong, but, it is what we are programed to want---- not only in magazines but, what we see in the mirror. This generates business for all those companies pushing pills, exercise equipment and diets( books etc) and surgery... all to make us strive for perfection. Which of course is impossible......

Nobody has ever brainwashed me.

I want to be healthy and happy, educated, curious and productive.

I look at the mags...I like Life & Style (even though I'm 60!). I never have felt I need to look like a model to buy a nice bag or outfit.

It's something I admire about Rhea Dunham...she is happy with her look.

Her name is actually Lena Dunham. And if she was that happy with her look, she wouldn't have been airbrushed and photo shopped to be thinner in a recent magazine. There was quite a big controversy over it.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:24:04 GMT

On 5/8/2014 sidsmom said:
If she used Weight Watchers to lose all this weight, why wasn't she a success story with Weight Watchers? I would think that would be her focus. Why Shape?

She is now a WW leader.

And Shape approached her to feature her, not the other way around.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

Sooner — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:25:10 GMT

She send a picture, they didn't want to use it. END of story. Boo Hoo. Why would anyone think a magazine should use their picture and whine about it? Has she LOOKED at the other photos in the magazine? I haven't but I'll bet they don't look like the one she sent.

Re: Don't think I'll be buying Shape Magazine any time soon

terrier3 — Thu, 08 May 2014 23:08:55 GMT

On 5/8/2014 Sooner said:
She send a picture, they didn't want to use it. END of story. Boo Hoo. Why would anyone think a magazine should use their picture and whine about it? Has she LOOKED at the other photos in the magazine? I haven't but I'll bet they don't look like the one she sent.

I so totally agree with you!

A lot of people are approached by magazines...not every story makes the final cut.

Why should she let their subjective opinion upset her?

And why should it bother people here who don't even know her?