Remember This? "There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels, and only 8 who do" Ad Campaign from The Body Shop, 1997

Norman Rockwell There's certainly nothing wrong with being young, beautiful, and thin. If this is you, great! Flaunt it, have fun, work it, thank your parents for such wonderful genetics, take care of yourself, and enjoy it while it lasts. Unfortunately, the media, magazines and advertising try to convince the rest of us that this is the only way a woman can be beautiful. This disqualifies about 98% of the world’s women. The problem is the beauty and fashion industry trying to dictate and sell their marketing idea of what is beauty. Being beautiful or thin does not make someone more valuable or worthy of love or success. Until that message starts reaching the beauty and fashion industry via their sales revenue and wallets, and women quit buying magazines that leave one with a dissatisfied life and body image, change will come slowly. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and that should be reflected in the ads we see. Remember when People magazine was actually about ... real people? Now it's full of what "star"s wear, who wore this better, photos of famous people's kids, and their private lives. Is this meaningful or helpful? Are Americans really so into other people's lives? Lives of people who would probably never want to hang out with the likes of them? Rational Hedonism says: What about your family? Your life? Except for not having a famous last name or in the public eye, why should you think your life isn't as worthwhile? Because you don't have a publicist? Rational Hedonism is a religion that encourages the individual, no matter the age, to discover what makes him/her special and unique, to stand firm and be yourself, and learn that real beauty, strength and power come from the inside. You don’t need to become something other than who you are to be acceptable, and if you aren't being accepted, maybe you're hanging out with the wrong people.  Unfortunately, we usually address these issues towards women because low self- esteem and poor body image among women is higher as when compared to men.  But this doesn't mean men aren't immune to advertising attacks designed to make them feel bad. Baldness, six-pack abs, money, virility and stamina are the more recent list of things advertisers try to get men to worry. Loving your body means taking care of it; it's in your own self-interest as keeping it healthy gives you a better shot at a longer life (or at least makes you feel better and more energetic), which means more time to fill with doing the things you love and meaningful time with those you chose to be with. "Size Acceptance" does not mean letting yourself go, Rational Hedonists take care of their bodies and have pride in themselves. Studies recently showed even walking 15 minutes a day can increase your life. Being heavier doesn't necessarily mean you are unhealthy, but one shoul not avoid seeing the doctor if you're feeling "off". The risk for diabetes. high blood pressure and cancer can increase the heavier you are, but the bottom line with both of those, again, as well as longevity, is family genetics. the acceptance of thinness as the criteria for beauty and health has not been the norm in American culture for very long. It is a twentieth century invention that was reinforced by the development of rigid health insurance weight tables in the early part of the century. Even through the 1950's models had a slightly fuller figure until the 60's with a 91 pound British model named Twiggy. The 1990's resurrected the Twiggy-look with "heroin chic" styles. Ironically enough, to be considered beautiful and desireable, you had to look like you were withering away from the lasts stages of a heroin addiction. It's no coincidence that eating disorders, especially among girls, is common. When a girl's friends, mother, or her reading choices encourage anorexia or bulimia, rather than just accepting her gifts and personality, something is wrong with our society.

All Through History, Until Very Recently, Women With Curves Were Considered "Classic" Beauty  Just think. If you are heavier, and had been born in the 17th century, or in a different country, you would have been considered far more beautiful than the sickly thin fashion models of today, since plumpness was a desirable quality, and continues to be in some cultures. Within the "Gardens" of Rational Hedonism, size doesn't matter, personality, what you are doing with your life, and the joy with which you do it, does.