Dear VS, I’m calling your BS

Once again I find myself writing about food, body size and eating disorders. The amazing thing is that this post was not sparked from my own struggles, and I say this only to praise Jesus, but because I remember what it’s like and I don’t want anyone to ever feel the way I did. Its a battle I’ll always have to fight, but with God’s help, will never surrender to again. I don’t want you to fall into the trap of false perception of perfection. You are more than a size or a number on the scale. Let me repeat that, you are MORE than a size or a number on the scale.

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a couple nights ago, and no I did not watch it. It’s not that I think you’re wrong if you did, I understand the pretty costumes and music can be entertaining, but I hate the effect it tends to have on people. Last year alone, the Washington Post said the show had just under 5 million viewers. Five million people not only watched women in their underwear on stage, but supported an industry that creates false standards for our bodies. As women, we complain about not being skinny enough, not having abs, or not looking toned; but the goals and expectations we complain are too high - we support! I hope I’m not the only one that saw pictures of the VS models and was so sad at the skin and bones I saw all over my Instagram. I wanted to reach through my phone (first give her some clothes to put on), give the model a hug and say “you don’t have to do this!” And yet we encourage it. We gather around a performance these women spend all year starving for. 

I don’t want this to seem like a rant. In fact, I don’t want to shame anyone. I still catch myself seeing pictures on social media or movies and comparing myself. I think that’s something we will have to fight as long as we are human. What I do want is to tell you that you don’t have to give in. Sweet friend, don’t beat yourself up for not measuring up to someone through a screen. I promise “skinny” isn’t worth the tears, hunger pains or losing your period. Being just a little smaller is not so important that you need to wake up thinking about how little you can eat that day. Going down a pant size should not take place over enjoying a dinner with friends. Stop letting money seeking industries tell you how your body is supposed to look and start focusing on what our Father created us to be: a daughter of the King!  

Instead, how much more freeing is it to focus on being healthy? Go for a run or go to the gym a few times a week because its good for your mood, mind, and energy. Eat just a little healthier because your body is meant to be taken care of, but don't forget that sometimes being healthy means enjoying ice cream every now and then. One reason is that ice cream is just too good not to and because we were created to enjoy food and to enjoy life. The other reason is to keep yourself from being obsessed with health, because that in itself not healthy.

I've been there. You aren't alone. Please know my heart is so soften towards the girls who stare at the mirror and hate themselves. I've hated the bones I saw staring back at me while loving the pain of being hungry. I've been disgusted with how loose everything fit in the dressing room when shopping was no longer fun because even an XS was too big. I've also hated the girl who put on 50 pounds in a year from binging. I hated the cellulite I saw in that awful mirror and the six pack I once had that was no where to be found. I promise I've been there and you aren't alone. 

I also can promise you that a balanced life is more fun than being a slave to a false view of perfection. Fun fact: as soon as I gave my body to Jesus and decided to just make my next decision a healthy one, I started seeing results. When I surrendered my size to my Father I began each day saying "today I won't have a perfect diet, but I will try to eat just a little healthier," I found freedom and I guarantee you this freedom includes queso. 

So, next time you see a fitness influencer on your Instagram explore page or a VS model, remember you were made for MORE than perfection.