Yesterday I received my monthly Marie Claire in the post (the only women's magazine worth reading imho), and here's the first insert that fell out...
This prompted me to write a response...
Dear Planet Fitness
Thank you so much for your concern over my body. Why, just this morning I was contemplating how I could possibly feel worse about myself, and then you came along! For years I've been wondering why all my skinny friends want to sit next to me on the beach, and now I know. Thank you for pointing this out to me, for a moment there I thought I was living a normal life as a *GASP* overweight woman!
I'm sure whatever ad agency conceptualised this ad thought it was hilarious. I guarantee that whoever wrote it has never struggled with being overweight. Now I know, I know, it's just so much fun to laugh at the fat kids. Kinda reminds you of that false sense of entitlement you had in junior school right? Well since the fat kids might be interested in going to a gym (we like to go and be fat in public, INCONSIDERATE right?!) maybe it's time to rethink your strategy.
Please allow me the honour of spending my money on your gym, it's just not summer unless I'm being made to feel like a beached whale on a pilates ball.
Love and cake, Mich xxx
This kind of direct marketing is exactly why I will be staying put at Virgin Active. Their latest ad campaign (that's been going for ages now) makes me happy every time I walk into the gym. Because it is such a spot-on human truth, we all really do have our stuff. Mine might be a food addiction and someone else's might be an undereating disorder. One is not superior to the other, we are both just doing the best we can to overcome it and feel at home in our bodies. And I really appreciate that being acknowledged by a space generally known for body-shaming; the gym.
Anyone out there not 100% happy with their body (so everyone then?), a little less shame and a little more compassion makes all the difference.
x
