Here is a quick reminder for anyone who is trying to lose weight:
Consider the model on the cover of a fitness magazine.
First the model diets for months to prepare for the photoshoot.
After dieting, the model may even dehydrate specifically for the shoot.
(The model will only look good and that lean for a couple of hours on the day the photo shoot).
During the photo shoot oil and makeup is applied to make the model look as perfect as possible.
Different types of oils are used to make muscles look defined, and make up is used to make everything as perfect as possible.
A high priced professional photographer will set up lighting and angles to make the model look as good and lean as possible (lighting makes a WORLD of difference!).
The model may do a pump-up style workout to make certain parts of his or her body look bigger than normal (arms, chest, shoulders..that sort of thing) – I did an example of how much a pump and a tan can effect the way you look..you can check it out HERE.
Sometimes, duct tape is used to ‘hide’ any extra fat (duct tape across the lower back helps pull love handles out of site for a photoshoot)
Clothes are chosen and altered to make the model look as good as possible.
After 2 to 3 hours of shooting (maybe a dozen rolls of film), the photo shoot is over.
The model (who is probably exhausted) goes and eats.
But the magic doesn’t stop here.
The photos are developed/downloaded.
From the two hundred or so photos, 2 or 3 are chosen.
These photos are sent to a artist who does the necessary touch up work with photoshop.
Moles and birthmarks are removed, shoulders made broader, waist made smaller, skin toned smoothed out, smile whitened, hair cropped, definition added and background removed.
Finally the picture is ready to appear on the cover.
Obviously this is not a real representation of how the model truly looks. It is idealized and stylized….In a sense..EVERYTHING was made perfect.
This should NOT be your inspiration for how you want your body to look.
Create realistic expectations based on YOUR body, and NEVER trust pictures in magazines.
BP
Tags: cover models, fitness magazines, fitness models, Weight loss
Brad,
This is a great post highlighting (in a sideways manner) the difference between looking good and being healthy. We should all strive for the later, which makes us feel better from the inside out. Unfortunately we all want to feel better from the outside in, which is awful for someone trying to attain higher levels of living.
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptA Special Reminder to ANYONE who is trying to lose weight. [...]
You’re right B., pictures CAN lie. In the airport yesterday, I noticed how so many of the cover models seemed to look alike; same age range, same colors, same look on the face…even Kate Winslet looked oddly not like herself. Narrower face, body parts that I could just tell, from experience, had been formed by photoshop. Now, I’m sure she’s as gorgeous as they come in real life, but there was just something generic and artificial.
I think of all the young impressionable girls who hold these covers as the standard. Impossible!
Lani
Lani, you are right. The young boys are as impressionable as the young girls though.
Yavor
Good post Brad. It’s a shame young people have set these photos of models/bodybuilders as their goals. It’s difficult to tell nowadays what is real and what is surgically, digitally or pharmacutically enhanced. How do you suggest young people set themselves physique goals, particularly when it comes to physique role models.
Thanks Yavor. I know you have a good point, I guess I was thinking of myself as a young girl as I never was a young boy!
I DO know that many boys and young men suffer anorexia. Ack!
Lani
Lani,
Great observation! I’ve noticed that many models and celebrities tend to ‘lose’ their ethnicity as their careers progress. they just get that ‘standard’ look. It’s sad really, their uniqueness is what made them special in the first place.
BP
Leyton,
It’s a tricky question, and one I have been struggling with for years. To tell you the truth, I still don’t have an answer. The first step is accepting that many of our ideals are or have been surgically, digitally or pharmacutically enhanced.
BP
Awesome post Brad.
I actually saw a guy go through the process of taking pictures of a “very attractive” girl, and making her “front-cover ready”.
It’s pretty crazy what they can do. She even admitted she didn’t like the way she looked because she looked TOO perfect!
Jeremy Reeves
http://www.7-deadly-fat-loss-sins.com
@Jeremy Reeves
Agreed. The funny thing is, people are starting to accept that this happens in ‘fashion’ but remain oblivious that is is also highly prevalent in ‘fitness’.
Abs look awesome when they are painted on!
B
I appreciate this post very much. I’ve often wondered if things have gotten worse in this regard. I used to work with children and in more recent times have heard more young guys express concern about their looks than in the past. I have even heard 5 year olds express a lot of worry that they are fat when they only have a *normal* amount of baby fat on their body, or they are very slim! When I was growing up, it was rare to hear the younger kids talk that way.
Brad I am very happy that you have such a positive, realistic view so your daughter has that influence in her life, not just what the magazines are conveying. Even as an adult I struggle when I see photos of some of the celebrities.