The need to be thin, taking inspiration from Barbie

As I watched Barbie last night, listening to Gloria’s speech I was reminded of the impossible standard set on women, especially around being thin.

Today I’m taking inspiration from Barbie and this is never a line I thought I would write! (Side note there is a spoiler alert below)

As I watched Barbie last night, listening to Gloria’s speech (played by America Ferrera), I was reminded of the impossible standards set on women and also one of the values that I have in Nourish to Soar, focus on health.

Gloria makes a strong speech about the impossible standards set on women, and whilst I’m not going to share it all the beginning stuck with me.

‘It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like we always have to be extraordinary, but somehow, we’re always going it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy but also you have to be thin’

This notion that we need to be thin, I have often talked about with friends, family and clients. The pressure to go on yet another diet but finding it hasn’t worked, or it’s worked but as soon as they stop the diet, all the weight, plus more, comes back on. Leaving them feeling discouraged, and disempowered.

In the book ‘Fast Like A Girl’ Dr Mindy Pelz remarks that your body is a nearly perfect machine needing your support with certain nutrients to function properly. The good nutrients you’ll often hear me talk about like good fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.

She goes on to say ‘When your bodies don’t get that support, they stop being able to do their job. This is why trendy diets have failed you. Most quick-fix diets work against your cellular design, making it impossible to get a longer-term, lasting result and setting you up for numerous health problems’

When we look at weight loss there are many factors that can impact this – metabolism, genetics, environment, chronic illness, too many calories, not enough calories, too much exercise, not enough exercise, limiting beliefs, emotional eating, not enough of the right nutrients, and lack of sleep.

It can all feel overwhelming and impossible. When the focus is on weight loss, I often see that it becomes about deprivation and restriction which isn’t sustainable in the long term. I reframe the idea of weight loss and I look at focusing on health.

When you focus on how you want to feel, whether that is fitter, stronger, comfortable in your body, not sluggish, bloated, or having more energy, you’re more likely to nourish yourself not deprive yourself. Whilst this approach takes longer it is more sustainable long term and sets you up for success.

Today I encourage you to see how amazing you are and focus on how you want to feel. Nourish yourself today by taking simple steps such as:
⭐Add an extra portion of fruit and veg into your meals
⭐Drink an extra glass of water
⭐Put your phone down and go to bed at the time you need to get 8 hours of sleep
⭐Go outside for a walk and enjoy moving your body

I’d love to hear how you’re getting on.

Are you wanting a service that is unique to you? That allows you to start looking at what is impacting your ability to lose weight, improve your digestive issues, or figure out how to start balancing your hormones. Get in touch to book a free 30 minute call to discuss 1:1 Nutritional Therapy, I have 3 spaces for the 1:1 rebalance package starting in September.

If you’re looking for a kickstart then the Health MOT is for you. This one-hour session allows you to review your diet and have 3 actions to take away to work towards your health goal. To celebrate a year in business the MOT for the month of August is £97 this month saving you £50! To book click here.