As we step into a new year, Women’s Health magazine is making a bold statement by eliminating the term “bikini body” from their vocabulary. Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Jennings, announced this significant change following overwhelming feedback from readers who expressed their frustration with cliched phrases that perpetuate unrealistic body standards.
In a recent article on the Women’s Health website, Jennings shared the results of a survey conducted among their readership. The findings revealed that many readers are tired of seeing terms like “shrink,” “diet,” and “bikini body” clutter their magazine covers, along with any promises of quick fixes to “drop two sizes.”
Jennings noted that the editorial team had already worked throughout 2022 to remove “shrink” and “diet” from their content, and now they are tackling these additional phrases. “Bikini body” and “drop two sizes” will no longer make an appearance on the magazine’s covers, as Jennings even penned breakup letters to bid farewell to these terms. In her letter to “bikini body,” she remarked:
Dear Bikini Body,
Your existence is a misrepresentation. You suggest that only certain body types can confidently wear a two-piece swimsuit. The truth is, every body is a bikini body. You carry a negative connotation that has become tiresome. When one reader mentioned how women’s magazines often prioritize being thin or bikini-ready as the ultimate goal for health, it struck a chord: We refuse to embody that kind of publication. So long, Bikini Body. It’s been real—sort of.
She followed that with a note to “drop two sizes,” stating, “While many may aspire to shed a few pounds, the idea of dropping two sizes in a month? That’s neither practical nor healthy.” Jennings concluded by suggesting that this term should find a new home on the covers of other magazines because Women’s Health is “moving on.”
It’s an amusing yet powerful gesture, one that I wish would gain traction across the board. It’s exhausting to sift through publication after publication filled with crash diets and harsh weight loss advice. Perhaps they will simply use alternative phrases, but I genuinely hope this marks a shift toward meaningful change in how we discuss women’s bodies.
There’s nothing wrong with striving for fitness and health. However, equating those aspirations solely with the appearance of super-toned models or fitting into the smallest clothing size is where we go wrong. The incessant focus on terms like “bikini body” can easily warp our perception of self-worth, leading many to believe that our value is tied to how we look in a swimsuit or whether we meet an often unattainable ideal.
While eliminating these terms may not eradicate our complicated relationships with body image, it’s undeniably a step in the right direction. I would gladly reach for any magazine that doesn’t peddle another article on cleansing diets to prep for summer. For more insights on body positivity, check out this informative post on our blog.
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In summary, Women’s Health magazine is taking a stand against outdated and harmful phrases that contribute to unrealistic body standards. By banning terms like “bikini body,” they are prioritizing a healthier and more inclusive conversation about women’s health and fitness.
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