Body Appreciation Workshop Rationale

Kelsey Paul
WST 4022
Professor Tweed
November 8, 2012
Word Count: 512

Body Appreciation Workshop Rationale

After much discussion we came to an agreement that the goal of our body appreciation workshop would be for the YWLP Littles to recognize that health is composed of many factors such as physical, mental, emotional, etc. As stated in the Body Project, “many young girls worry about the contours of their bodies--- especially shape, size and muscle tone--- because they believe that the body is the ultimate expression of self (97). Just as girls see themselves and their identities as bodies, girls also tend to see themselves and their health as only related to the body. We want the Littles to recognize that health is comprised of more than just the physical and all of these emotional, mental, etc. factors are important when taking care of self and keeping oneself healthy.

Many young girls equate being healthy with being skinny or having a certain figure. Many girls begin to watch their weight and appetite at the age of nine or ten (119). This shows how much importance is placed on physical appearance. Being healthy does not mean to diet or exercise constantly. Being healthy doesn’t have one mold that everyone needs to fit.

For our workshop we originally thought of a lot of applicable ideals, but honestly, they were really boring. We switched up our workshop to gear it towards what seventh grade girls might actually enjoy doing. We simplified it and decided to stop trying to teach the girls or show them these concepts about health, but rather let them experience it. We want to be guides not lecturers. We also want the girls to have a fun time and not feel like they are sitting in a classroom.

We decided the best way to accomplish our goal and have lots of fun would be through a variety of activities. We will be going outside and playing a friendly game of kickball. We will be using our creativity and craftiness to create paper chains that promote positive thinking about their bodies. We will be playing emotional charades in order to highlight the importance of emotions and feelings in regards to health. Also, we will be participating in yoga facilitated by Maddie.

At the end of it all we will have a brief discussion to connect our activities back to health. I think this is an issue that needs to be talked about. So often health is incorrectly defined and this can have negative consequences for all, but especially young girls. In “Fishnets, Feather Boas, and Fat” Nomy Lamm talks about her comfortability with her weight. She ways that “good health is not about being thin; it’s about doing things that are good for your body. You can be fat and healthy” (81). She makes an excellent point. We want these young girls to be healthy, but we don’t want them to automatically think of “skinny” every time someone mentions health. The two words are not synonymous. If we can help the girls to recognize that being healthy isn’t solely about physicality then I believe we will have accomplished our goal.

Works Cited

Lamm, Nomy. "Fishnets, Feather Boas, and Fat." Body Outlaws. Ophira Edut. 2nd ed. expanded and updated. Emeryville, CA: Seal Press, 2003. 219-224. Print.

Brumberg, Joan Jacobs. The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls. New York: Random House, 1997. Print.