NEDAW New Mindset

           In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDAW) which occurred this past week, I decided to write about how roller derby can affect body image. It's not hard for any woman to realize what mainstream culture has told her about what her body should look like, what she should do to improve it, and how she is a failure if she doesn't meet the mainstream classification of beauty. There are plenty of articles about developing positive body image and combating mainstream ideals. They've even started to look into ways to change how toys are produced to little girls, like the controversial proportional Barbie that is currently in developmental stages. 
          Yet despite all of the awareness that has been raised, women are still struggling with body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders due to still being bombarded every day with advertisements that are "Killing Us Softly" in the famous words of Jean Kilbourne. I'll admit there are numerous reasons that I joined roller derby and weight loss was initially one of them. I, like over 50 % of the female population struggle with body image issues. Roller derby has changed the composition of my body in some ways but according to mainstream belief, I'm still fat. Roller derby has not changed my body as much as I initially hoped, but it has changed my mind in some ways. 
          When you look at RHDD, you see most body shapes and you know what, these dames still kick serious roller derby ass. All of these women, regardless of weight or shape, demonstrate strength, power, pride, athletic ability, and beauty. Roller derby has allowed many (I'm assuming) to be confident in their own skin at least on a semi-regular basis. How can you not be when you know you can skate a 27 in 5 or knock some girl off her skates? This isn't to say that it isn't still something that women in the roller derby community struggle with, but it at least demonstrates that you don't have to be "skinny" to be an athlete. All of these women skate at least four hours a week and many work out off the track too. 
          Yet, it's not just about the fact that these women are all athletes. These women also build each other up. There are so many compliments that come out over the course of derby gatherings whether its complimenting someone's butt or complimenting someone on gaining an extra pound or two (because yes, some girls do want to gain weight and we should appreciate everyone's body). There is constant body positive feedback with the RHDD girls on the track and really wherever we go because damn, you can be downright sexy (as we all are) anywhere, wearing anything (or nothing if that floats your boat), and with any body shape. So skip going to the gym, skip the fat-shaming pinterest and fitspo (because you can have that cupcake if you want to without it ruining your body), skip all the nay-sayers, and find roller derby where women appreciate real women with real bodies and work on building each other up instead of tearing each other down. Oh, and when we aren't on the track we LOVE to eat and drink because we are real people who need sustenance that a calorie restricted diet can't provide.

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