The Hourglass Diet

Erwin's post a while ago on why polar bears have a layer of fat (which actually didn't really make sense), and Su Ann's subsequent comment got me thinking. Not to mention the fact that i've had so many female friends who are in totally perfect shape complaining to me that they're "fat" or want to lose weight...

So the question is, why is there such a burgeoning tendency for girls nowadays to want to lose weight and go on diets, when medically they are in the normal weight range? Well, these stats may be from the US, but isn't is disturbing to hear that half of girls aged 10 have started dieting, and that 80% of 13-year olds have tried to lose weight?

I guess the mass media has conditioned everyone and skewed our perception of the ideal figure. It portrays thin as infinitely more beautiful than fat. And it doesn't help when Hollywood and fashion shows are jumping on the bandwagon. There comes a point when bones start sticking out of skeletal frames that it only serves to make them look malnourished and sick. Not elegant, not hot, not beautiful, nor attractive.

Take for instance the epitome of Hollywood dieting fads gone overboard, Nicole Richie.

True, this may be one of her least flattering photos, but there is no reason in the world for her to lose weight to such an extent. So much so that all it serves is to make her look gaunt, jaded, unhealthy, and look double her 26 years of age. And she even went to the extent of sending out this invitation to her friends, which though she later claimed was in jest, it's still pretty galling. Read the 2nd last paragraph.

Another A-list celebrity who's defending herself against claims of anorexia is Kiera Knightly, which though she must be commended for at least speaking out against such things, showing up at the red carpet looking like this doesn't help much in dispelling the rumours.
A pity, considering Kiera used to be hot and stunning and at least not as waifish-thin
And there is definitely a problem when there are models who strut down the catwalk looking like this. It's even more disturbing that such size 0 models are capable of commanding the attention of magazine readers worldwide, as simple deduction dictates that there has to be a considerable demand for these type of models to continue to ply their trade.

Maybe some of you have seen this video before, but it might actually explain the obsession with losing weight - it's all in the mind!

So my point is this. Forget the Atkins Diet, the Macrobiotic Diet, Weight Watchers, or the countless other fads out there. If you're healthy and not overweight, there's no need to constantly worry about your weight or check the weighing scales every morning. If you suddenly find that you're able to pinch a little fat around your waist, or if you realise that u gained a few pounds, be happy. There are more than 800 million starving who would be more than willing to take your place.

In fact, i think I should start my own diet, called the Hourglass Diet. The goal would be somewhere along the lines of 36-28-36. Curves are in, not skin and bones. Think Beyonce, or even Jenifer Hudson. Haha. Sadly, i doubt there's even a remote chance of this diet taking off..=(

Btw, beauty is all about perception, and in places like Africa where food is scarce, society values the extremely obese, as it reflects prosperity....

(Okay, that was just a random thought, and i realise some ppl might opine differently and have things to say. But oh well, it's just an opinion.)




On another note, congratulations to Malaysia's first "Angkasawan" in space. It's interesting to note that they had the foresight to find solutions to having to kneel down and face Mecca when praying. Would have been a bit of a challenge otherwise. haha.