By Ricardo Mendez, Shelby Hancock, and Shane Burrell |Staff Writer, Asst. Sports Editor and Sports Editor|
Body shaming is big business.
About 45 million Americans are gym members according to realbuzz.com.
Statista.com stated in 2015 the gym revenue was more than $21.8 billion in the United States.
“It’s when you abuse your body because you’re ashamed of it,” said sophomore Crystal Torres, when asked what she thinks about body shaming.
People invest in their appearance because we are embarrassed we don’t look like the media tells us we should, which in turns causes negative body image.
“Body-shaming [is] criticizing yourself or others because of some aspect of physical appearance,” according to Waldenbehavioralcare.com.
As we face negative body image we find comfort in criticizing ourselves.
“It has become the norm to criticize aspects of our bodies as some type of bonding experience with friends,” according to waldenbehavioralcare.com
No one is immune to this phenomenon, shaming can be appointed to any body type, with people that are either “too skinny” or “morbidly obese”.
“In school I was short and skinny with no muscles and I acted like I didn’t care but I did,”said sophomore Daniel Barquera.
Celebrities also face these self-esteem damaging issues, as stars like Kelly Clarkson, Rob Kardashian and Pink have all been criticized for their weight.
Some celebrities responded through Instagram and Twitter with comments saying that their body doesn’t define them and they won’t conform to the media’s standards.
“We need to stop being our own worst critics, remember our worth and find our happy, all while setting the example for our kids,” Clarkson stated in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres according to Huffington Post.
For students who would like some help fighting negative perceptions of themselves CSUSB offers programs and help for maintaining an healthy lifestyle.
The Student Recreation and Fitness Center (Rec Center) offers exercise classes, personal training and gym hours to accommodate students’ schedules.
Certified trainers services are offered to all students in either one-on-one or buddy training sessions.
“They’re very friendly if I ever need help I ask a trainer and they lead me towards the right direction on any exercise I start,” said junior German Ruiz.
Body shaming is a national problem that has brought thousands of men and women to begin the “no body shame campaign” which recognizes body guilt.
The campaign mentions how intellectual talents and personalities are not shown on a scale.
The Rec Center took initiative and planned a week of activities to help students stop body shaming themselves and others.
This week included sticky notes on walls where people write what they love most about themselves, stations where you build your own pins with motivational quotes to live by and a wheel with prizes.
“I got 99 problems but my curves ain’t one,” were one of many quotes written on the gym mirrors showing appreciation for your body no matter what size.
In addition to the week of festivities celebrating all body types, scales were removed from the Rec Center showing that numbers don’t represent your best assets.
The Rec Center’s slogan “where every shape fits,” shows how the Rec Center is accepting of many body types.
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