Linda, that is so true. One thing that struck me as overly cruel was 
one "diet aid" that attached to your refrigerator, and whenever you 
opened the door a recorded voice said "Are you eating again? What is 
wrong with you? No wonder you look the way you do!", or something 
similar. This was sometime in the late 70's early 80's. 

One thing that has always bothered me immensely is when women say 
they "were good" or are "being good" and by that they mean they 
aren't eating anything!!! I feel like I am all alone, that no one 
else can see how twisted that is. Food is *required* for nourishment 
and survival and yet it has become the enemy. The women in my office 
alternately make me want to scream in frustration or cry for them 
that they are so caught up in the myth that self-worth is tied to 
weight. And not a single one of them could be considered even 
slightly "overweight". 

Whew... sorry, rant over. 

-Lauren

PS- You're right about the people who need to read the book won't... 
but I think it provides a little bit of insight for everyone anyway.


--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Linda Sheehan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
> Unkind things that are said to women (or anyone) can be carried for 
> many years...in fact, I can remember being taunted as a young girl 
> because I was taller than most and VERY skinny........it was sooo 
> painful. Now, I'm struggling to get a few lousy pounds off, well, 
> maybe 15..but whose counting. Words can be so cruel!!!!  
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "nyla7" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > You know Gina, that's a great idea. I think it's an important 
book 
> > for women to read. I have come across some passages that have 
made 
> my 
> > jaw drop, and some that have left me sickened at the abuse women 
> > received and in turn internalized.... and I'm only halfway 
through!
> > 
> > When I'm done I'll post here and on the forum for a bookring.
> > 
> > -Lauren
> > 
> > 
> > --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Gina Robertson" 
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> > wrote:
> > >  Oooh, would you care to bookring this when you're done?
> > > 
> > > /gina
> > > BCID: Saoirse
> > > N. Texas, USA
> > >  
> > > -------Original Message-------
> > >  
> > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > Date: 09/14/04 21:43:50
> > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > Subject: RE: [BookCrossing] what are you reading
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > _____ 
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > I'm reading non-fiction: "Never Too Thin: Why Women Are at War 
> with 
> > Their
> > > Bodies". I'm about halfway through and am finding it 
fascinating. 
> > The author
> > > goes through history from Greek times up until when the book 
was 
> > written
> > > (1988), looking at attitudes about womens' bodies and health in 
> > general.
> > > What is really interesting is how she shows how the fashion and 
> > health
> > > insurance industries have really helped shape our view of what 
> > a "healthy"
> > > body is supposed to look like. For instance, when MetLife first 
> > started
> > > issuing "ideal" weights, they didn't take into account that we 
> > naturally
> > > gain weight as we age. So, the "ideal" weight for a woman was 
the 
> > same at 25
> > > as it was at 60. There's something a little screwy with that, 
> don't 
> > you
> > > think? The medical profession also played into it by blindly 
> > supporting the
> > > health insurance company's claims, despite obviously flawed 
> research
> > > methods. I really recommend it. 
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > -Lauren



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