Real Beauty: Mind The Gap

This month, Sally from Real Beauty 100% Natural Spa Parties gives us the truth about 'thigh gaps’...

Firstly there is nothing wrong with having a thigh gap, many women naturally do. There is, however, something wrong with over exercising, ruthless dieting and generally making yourself mentally and physically unhealthy in an effort to reach a goal, or be part of an unhealthy fitness trend that is literally not possible for your body.

A thigh gap largely has to do with your bone structure and this is not something you can change. Ditch the desire to join the unrealistic and misleading images of #fitspo and focus on being a healthy, happy you.

Strong not Skinny, You do not need a thigh gap and here are 8 good reasons why:

1. Skinny is definitely out and Strong is in and if you have super sturdy legs you’re ahead of the game.

2. There is absolutely no health benefit from having a thigh gap so it’s certainly not a fitness goal that you should be setting your sights on.  In fact on the thought road of the thigh gap lie health risks like bulimia, weak bone structure, a change or stop in your menstrual cycle etc. No, you would never want that.

3. If you drop your phone while texting on the loo you can catch it - This is important. Think of your brand new iPhone 6.

4. You can work out longer and dance all night with strong legs - your legs can last.

5. Why aspire to look like anyone else at all. Own your body and you will feel far better than spending your life trying to look like someone else. Love yourself and take pride in yourself as you are.

6. You don’t want to take part in the vicious cycle of comparing yourself to the socially constructed beauty myth that these ‘image trends’ promote.  Help set new traditions surrounding beauty to include self-acceptance and diversity rather than the same, tired, taught, lithe, teenage image that is completely un-representative of healthy womanhood.

7. The big booty movement, by default loves big thighs. We all want to be Beyoncé that is a given.

8. You have better sex. When it comes to it, physical strength - especially in the legs – is key. Need I say anymore?

9. On the cartoon character spectrum you will lean more towards Jessica Rabbit.  And she is way sexier than any princess.

10. When it comes to skirts and dresses - tights or no tights - it is way warmer walking outside without an uncomfortable breeze blowing through your thighs.

For all of us out there that do naturally have a thigh gap - we cannot reap the above benefits but we can dig that breeze between the thighs on hot days and I have found that certain one-legged yoga positions are a tad easier! There will always be a new vanity viral shot around the corner - don’t get me started on “thighbrows’ - the apparent backlash to all the skinny, body-shaming trends which however requires photographing yourself in high-cut swim wear, somewhere gorgeous; preferably on a yacht.

What is most concerning to me about these trends besides their very existence and the ‘comparison culture’ they support is that they focus on small parts of a woman’s body (the crease in your thigh for goodness’ sake). Women are dividing up their bodies into different parts and judging the individual pieces - often negatively instead of seeing themselves as a whole.  We are a whole body and a whole human individual with unique personalities, strengths, weakness, ambitions and dreams.  Psychologist’s studies show that men do not do this they look in the mirror and give the whole package the once over balancing out the good and bad bits which provides a more positive impression.  Guess what, it is not men who are consistently underestimating their attractiveness.

So my advice would be to stay away from taking images of parts of your body and ask yourself am I insecure/ self-absorbed enough? Rather than am I skinny enough?