228- What Would It Take to Look Like Barbie?

You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful. - Amy Bloom

Katie Halchishick, is a beautiful plus size model, and founder of the site, "Healthy is the New Skinny." But as you can tell by the dotted lines below; she is far from looking like barbie. This picture was featured in the November issue of O magazine, and was the first nude picture ever to make an appearance inside. This picture along with her website was to encourage women to love their bodies no matter what their size is; that being healthy is far more beautiful than cutting yourself up or starving yourself just so that you can look like someone you are not. This picture depicts the warped body standards that many women hold themselves up against.

What would it take for Katie to look like this plastic doll?

"Here’s a breakdown of what she'd need done to be the kind of doll women aspire to: a brow lift, a jaw line shave, rhinoplasty, a cheek and neck reduction, a chin implant, scooped-out shoulders, a breast lift, liposuction on her arms, and tummy tuck, which would also have to be sculpted as if it were lined in whale-bone from the inside. And that’s just the half of her." -Yahoo

Believe it or not but there have actually been women that have underwent major surgeries such as the ones listed above in order to create the person that they wanted to be. Cindy Jackson, who holds the record at 52 plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures during her quest to look like her plastic idol, Barbie. Or Heidi Montag from the reality show, "The Hills," that had 10 plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures done at one time are both perfect examples of what women will do to their own bodies.

Along with the photo, O magazine featured an 8 page article on body image and interviews women in their teens and in their 60's to see how their perceptions about their body are. When asked a word to describe how they felt about their body the most common answer from the women in their 60's was "grateful." Whereas women in their teens most commonly stated, "self-conscious." It's not a surprise that younger women admitted to be less comfortable regarding their body; peer pressure, acceptance, and media all play such an integral role during this age of development.

To learn more about how healthy is becoming the new skinny, visit Katie's site and become inspired at how easy is can be to love yourself just the way you are.

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP