A letter from Women's Health's editor-in-chief, Amy Keller Laird:
Like you, we make resolutions every year. Ours for 2016? Eat more veggies, master weight lifting—and, most important, motivate and inspire you, dear readers. To make sure we’re always upping our game, we asked in a recent survey what you like and don’t like seeing on our covers. Three words that topped your favorites list? Toned. Strong. Sexy. This thrills me, because these epitomize all that Women’s Health is, and what we strive to do: help you become the best version of yourself.
Now, where we need to improve… You told us you don’t love the words shrink and diet, and we’re happy to say we kicked those to the cover curb ourselves over the past year. But we’re still using two other phrases—“Bikini Body” and “Drop Two Sizes”—that you want retired. Since our goal is always to pump you up, and never to make you feel bad, here’s our pledge: They’re gone. They’ll no longer appear on Women’s Health covers. (Whew, that felt good!) In that spirit, I wrote “Dear John” letters to these two phrases. Join me in bidding them a less-than-fond adieu—and welcoming a fabulous, happy, and healthy 2016.
Dear “Bikini Body,”
You’re actually a misnomer, not to mention an unintentional insult: You imply that a body must be a certain size in order to wear a two-piece. Any body—every body—is a bikini body. You’ve got a shaming, negative undertone that’s become more than annoying. Listen, rocking a bikini does require confidence, but we’d rather focus on the greater benefits of getting a strong-as-hell core: running, surfing, dancing, climbing, being able to carry a 2-year-old up and down the stairs 10 times a day. When one reader said, “I hate how women’s magazines emphasize being skinny or wearing bikinis as the reason to be healthy,” it became so clear: We never want to be that type of women's magazine. So, “Bikini Body,” see ya. Wouldn’t wanna be ya.
Dear “Drop Two Sizes,”
We’ve been in a relationship for most of WH’s 10-year history, so it’s tough to tell you this, but the time has come: We’ve grown apart. Frankly, we’ve outgrown you. Yes, it’s true that many of us are looking to drop a few pounds—surveys and studies prove as much. But two sizes in one month? Not super practical, or even all that healthy. Sorry, but women in 2016 want stories that, as one reader so aptly suggested, “focus on wellness and less on unrealistic weight-loss goals.” Simply put, “Drop Two Sizes,” it’s over. Feel free to move on with some other magazine’s cover, but we’re no longer your girl.
