This is well worth the read: an article from Miss Snow It All that explores the impact of social media and body image on women who ski or snowboard.
Then there's the matter of a well fitting bra. I've yet to find an American bra company that makes smaller than a size 32 band. UK bra companies make 28-30 bands but the 28 bands are getting harder to find. Technically I'm a 26 band but if the band runs tight I can wear a 28 band. No local stores carry this size so I order online. Women on the other end of the bell curve have this issue too. End of my rant.Meh! I learned a long time ago that anytime a person is on the "wrong end of the bell curve" they will have issues with fit. My first road bike was a mixte frame because I was too short for a triangle frame. The second road bike almost worked. My third bike had smaller wheels. The frame was still too big. My 4th bike was custom, built to my physical specs. Finally, 40 years later I was able to get a road bike that actually fit my 5'1" size. Skis and boots have always been a battle and still are. Clothing, of any kind, well, I could write a book on finding clothes to fit. Bra back fat? a proper fitting bra most likely will solve that problem.
I have friends that ski who are big women. They manage to find clothes that fit and happily ski. I've not heard a whimper of a complaint about not finding clothing.
I agree that the fitness industry makes too much of an emphasis on size and looking like movie stars. In my teens and 20's back in the 60's and 70's. I too struggled with weight and size. I didn't have the strong influence of social media but the comparisons were there. I didn't play sports in school because I was deemed too small, too thin, too fragile, always the last chosen for a team. Looks counted, skill did not. Doctors accused me of being anorexic. Twiggy was my role model because I looked like her. Then in my 30's add in the frustration of not be able to find sports equipment that worked well for me. I was told by a fitness professional that I didn't have the muscle mass to be a strong cyclist, or strong at anything else.
Fortunately, I quit listening, except when someone makes a comment about my size, it still hurts. Recently, I've found that my body is very strong. With the proper training by a good fitness professional I've found the strength that I was constantly told I didn't have I do have. I have a shirt that says, "My Body Is Stronger Than It Looks". That's my reply now and I add the fact that I can deadlift 115 lbs.
Accepting who you are and what you are is a journey, like everything else in life.
Pretty rambling. More interested in the organizations she listed at the end of the article, which includes SheJumps.This is well worth the read: an article from Miss Snow It All that explores the impact of social media and body image on women who ski or snowboard.
I can deadlift 115 lbs
I checked out the linked article related to Chloe Kim. Hadn't really heard about her before because I don't follow skiing competition.
Blahblah blah what a bunch of crap same story different sport. Another knee jerk article with out merit. BTW Only beautiful surfers make it to the championship tour. Was this story written in the 90s?
~~~~~
And as the mother of a formally competitive and nationally ranked 1/2 pipe skiing teenage daughter I totally disagree with the statements made in the article.
Go watch some high school or college water polo where every type body shape is represented, and trust me they will be able to kick your ass.... no whinning about being only being picked because they were blonde..... hahaha they are STRONG
I didn't watch any of the most recent winter Olympics coverage of snowboard events. Really didn't watch much except when something was showing on a screen in a restaurant. Combination of a low tolerance for the way American TV coverage of Olympics is done and the fact that I was on a 2-week ski trip to Taos and Telluride during the Olympics. I rarely turn on a TV during a ski trip.Ummm so you didn't watch the Olympics?
I don't think the article I linked to is about who makes it to the podium or who gets to compete; it's how successful they are in grabbing our attention or achieving financial success after they reach the podium. The ones who fit into a special category -- the pretty girls -- have no problem gaining attention or sponsors, particularly if they parade around in a bikini or look "hot." Male athletes don't have to do this. Their physical appearance doesn't come into play; they're just lauded for their athletic achievements and manage to get sponsors no matter how they look.