When you run into someone's amazing before and after pictures, isn't it true many times you can't even tell that they were once overweight? But many times, many of these people, despite all the weight loss, do not look anything like the toned women we see in magazines. That's the other side of the weight loss coin that many people don't talk about–mostly because the dieting world wants to make weight loss appear glamourous.
That's why I have to commend Brooke Birmingham for not only losing 170 pounds, but being brave enough to show her REAL results on her blog Brooke: Not on a Diet.
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Brimingham worked hard to lose the weight for four years by eating well and exercising, so why shouldn't she be proud? She was even excited when Shape magazine reached out to interview her for their "Success Stories" section.
After a great interview, she sent out a picture of herself wearing a bikini, just like they'd requested and much like many of the models in the magazine. But what she got as a response was actually a pretty offensive e-mail. The writer she was corresponding with told her her editor preferred a picture of her wearing a shirt. Birmingham had excess skin hanging from her stomach, which normally happens after drastic weight loss, therefore she thought it would be realistic for readers to see.
Naturally, she wanted to know why her original picture was rejected and the writer didn't give her a straight answer, instead telling her they simply preferred another photo. The furious blogger expressed her concerns to them, saying it was unfair that former people featured in the section were allowed to appear in bathing suits, but because she doesnt look the way they want her to, they are alienating her.
Birmingham expressed in her blog her disgust towards the treatment she received and said that she is proud of her weight loss –especially because it's taken her years to accept and love her body. She wrote on her blog:
If I couldn't have the picture of me in my bikini to go along with my story, then it wasn't MY story. The story I wanted to tell and shout out to the world, not their ideal story. So, if I couldn't tell it my way, then they weren't going to be able to tell it at all.
First of all I think this woman looks amazing after dropping almost 200 pounds. The dedication, will power and discipline that goes along with that is NO joke. It's a shame that a popular women's magazine would take that away from her. She is right that the world needs to see what realistic weight loss looks like. As women, we constantly compare ourselves to female celebrities that we forget that they too are photoshopped or been surgically enhanced. I hope Birmingham's message gives her exposure because she deserves to be highlighted for her admirable accomplishment.
Images via Brookenotonadiet.com
