(Image: Wikimedia.com)
Former The Hills reality star and now fashion designer Lauren Conrad pulled an executive decision on her website at LaurenConrad.com regarding body image. Conrad eliminated the words “skinny,” “thin,” and “slim” from her website because of their negative undertones of body shaming and poor-self image.
"When we've talked about getting in shape in the past, words like 'skinny,' 'slim,' and 'thin' have often come up,” Conrad, along with her editors, wrote on the website. “Starting this month, we'll be banning any body shaming terms from the site, and replacing them with words like 'fit,' 'toned,' and 'healthy.' The word skinny will now be reserved for skinny jeans. My editorial team and I had a long talk about it, and we want to make sure that the focus is on being fit as opposed to a number on the scale. Every body is created differently -- and healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes.”
LaurenConrad.com focuses on fashion, fitness, design, and dining. Conrad has stated it will still provide workout trends and diet recipes like Meatless Monday. Many readers have applauded Conrad’s decision, including Dr. Joe Taravella, Supervisor of Pediatric Psychology at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Rusk Rehabilitation. “I think it’s a perfect level of sensitivity in creating an awareness of the importance of the words that we use….The goal for us isn’t to be to skinny and thin and conversely fat and heavy—the goal is to be fit and healthy,” said Taravella in an interview with Yahoo Health.
Conrad's decision is a bold one that celebrates all women’s bodies, and most of all, healthy living. Thank you, Lauren.