How cover girl Kate Upton inspires us to live healthy
Jodi Davis
| 3 min read
It’s no secret that the 20 year-old model Kate Upton is beautiful. She adorns the cover of Sports Illustrated again this year. We all are pretty proud of this young lady knowing that Kate was born here in Southwest Michigan; yes, she’s a local celebrity who often brings a considerable amount attention when she is in town.
I have not yet met her, but she still has a way of inspiring me. First of all, when she is in the area she often heads to the local gym to work out. She must go there quite often since her visits to this particular gym always seem to make it through the local grapevine, at least according to my son!
I realize that having a physique like Kate’s doesn’t just happen by chance, even though I’ve listened to numerous women tell me how “lucky she is” to have a shape like she does. Luck may play a part, but Kate works hard at staying fit, which is why you will find her working out at the gym. If she was “lucky” she would simply plop herself in front of the TV and consume a massive bowl of chips and dip, washing it down with bottles of sugary soda. No. She takes the initiative to get herself out of the house, drive to the gym and work out. That’s not luck, that is self-discipline.
Recently Kate was taunted on a website that promotes anorexia, making comments about Kate’s size and calling her “lardy.” Kate gave a response that I completely agree with, “I’m not going to starve just to be thin. I want to enjoy life and I can’t if I’m not eating and miserable.”
Kate let them know that she is NOT going to conform to that part of society that feels you have to be a size zero in order to look good. Because eating disorders are on the rise and knowing these types of sites only act to encourage dangerous behavior (especially in young girls) I say good for you, Kate!
Kate is reinforcing a positive body image. It tells young girls that “normal” is beautiful; being unrealistically thin is not a requirement to look great. Kate has a healthy and attainable body weight, which I’ll admit is about the only thing we have in common! She has even admitted to splurging on the occasional ice cream or plate of fries (okay, now we have two things.)
Like Kate, I don’t splurge all the time – yet we are both real. In fact, Kate has been called a “real” woman as well as being considered as a role model for young girls. As she said in a recent interview for Vogue Magazine, “Those are the comments that really make me want to continue doing what I do… It’s really motivating to know that I’m helping people look at their life in a healthy way, just by living my life by example,” she said. “I always try and work out and eat healthy throughout my life so I don’t have to do anything drastic before shoots. My schedule just doesn’t allow it. I never know where I’m coming from, or what’s happening, or how long the plane ride will be.”
Kudos to you, Kate; you’re an inspiration to me and to young girls as well – thanks for simply being you!
Photo credit: Sup3r_Fudg3
