Scales Are for Fish, Not for Women: No Diet Day
If Barbie were real, she'd be seven feet tall and weigh 50 kilograms. Her unbalanced proportions would force her to walk on all fours.
On Tuesday, 2 May, YWCA Victoria and friends celebrated real women's bodies in recognition of International No Diet Day 2006. YWCA Victoria President Shannon Rees said 'Many young women have issues with body image. Today is about recognising that women don't need to diet. They should love their bodies for how they are', before cutting into a giant black forest cake.
YWCA staff invited women to create their own art works, celebrating women's fabulous, diverse shapes and sizes and recognising the importance of food and nutrition in our lives. The works are currently on display in the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Exhibition Space, Ground Floor, 210 Lonsdale Street.
If you missed Tuesday's cake, don't worry! The 'real' No Diet Day is Saturday, 6 May. YWCA Victoria encourages women to celebrate No Diet Day, to recognise the importance of overall health--not just weightloss, and to proclaim independence from media ideals of beauty.
Click on the photos below for a larger version.
A No Diet Day artwork proclaims, 'Beauty, Health and Fitness Come in ALL Sizes'! Photo: YWCA Victoria.
YWCA Victoria Manager Helen Consta (far left) and friends create artworks proclaiming that bodies are beautiful in all shapes in sizes. Photo: YWCA Victoria.
YWCA Victoria President Shannon Rees cuts the cake to kick off International No Diet Day celebrations at Queen Victoria Women's Centre. Photo: YWCA Victoria.
YWCA Victoria and friends eat cake to celebrate International No Diet Day 2006! Photo: YWCA Victoria