Here is the link to it on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150631811447463&set=a.135700847462.131849.108605392462&type=1&theater
I think this woman looks beautiful and strong, and inspiring.
But some of the comments posted in reply to this picture (from both men and women) said that she doesn't look like a woman anymore. She isn't feminine. That she shouldn't be that muscular. That women weren't "supposed to look like this"
What a load of crap!!
Now I'm not saying that everyone needs to be super athletic. I'm not even that muscular (which I wish I was). To be honest its a personal decision how you want your body to be, but to NOT be in shape because to be that way isn't "feminine" is bullshit.
I feel like women are expected to be weak and to not hold their own. To only go to gyms to do the occasional one hour work out because they just don't want to be fat- not because they have fitness goals.
One of the reasons I love races is because there are so many people- men and women alike- who are competing for the same thing. The larger the distance gets the more this becomes true.
Its just mindsets like this (its not feminine to be athletic and strong) outrage me. Its so anti-feminist.
People never expect me to be a marathon runner (Side note: I actually don't feel like I can call myself that yet- lots of people do ONE marathon- but not that many continue to do them. Come May 27th I can call myself that!). When I say I went for a run- people assume I jogged around the block. (Another Side note: I do not jog. I am not a jogger. Please don't ever refer to me as one- I am a runner). Because no one expects the women to be dedicated athletes.
Bottom Line: Do what you want with your body- but if you aren't athletic or are out of shape DO NOT say it is because you are a woman and women "aren't supposed to be that way". Yes women have curves- but those curves are supposed to be your breasts and your hips. not rolls of fat.
Who defined what it meant to "look feminine".
One commenter said that she doesn't look like a "lady". What does that even mean? What does a "lady" look like? Small, Dainty, Weak?
Bullshit.
I hate the term "ladylike". I despise anyone who tells me I'm not acting like a lady. What do ladies act like? Are they quiet, submissive? Clean and proper?
I am not submissive, I am strong, I am athletic and I am intelligent. Do these things make me any less of a woman?
Good for you Meg :) you are completely right. You are what you work for! Being a strong and althletic woman should not be frowned upon. I personally am in awe of people who have that dedication, every ounce of their body shows that they worked for it and worked HARD.
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