Magazine Prints Weight on Cover. Thoughts?

I love magazines. I'll never stop reading them. But it took a few years of working in the advertising industry to realize that they don't always speak the truth. They sell products and lifestyles—and they alter photos to do it. So whenever I catch myself comparing my thighs to those of the girl on whatever page of whatever magazine I might be reading, I have to remind myself that I am me. That I am happy and healthy, and I am not "Photoshopped" to sell something. Therefore, I am real.

But not everyone can draw that conclusion. In fact, a lot people still look at magazines and make comparisons. That's the society we live in. Compare, compare and compare some more.

Now, I don't read Allure very often, but this magazine is in the headlines right now for printing Zoe Saldana's weight on the June 2013 cover.

"115 pounds of grit and heartache," it reads. The star defended the magazine, saying that the magazine was trying to describe "that for a lightweight person I seem to be really strong minded." And the writer in me agrees with her. I think that's exactly what the magazine was trying to convey. Small, but tough.

Not a bad image.

But in this day and age, when so many of us have such an unhealthy relationship with the numbers on the scale, should the magazine be printing something like that? On the cover, no less, for all to see?

Let's discuss.

#Sponsored Post: We're so much stronger together. #whatsbeautiful via @UAWomen

One of the things I love the most about being a FitFluential Ambassador is the access it grants me to positive, inspiring and motivating individuals that live and breathe the fit and healthy lifestyle. I turn to this community for workouts, tech advice, healthy recipes, smiles and more. And it always delivers. But there is a common misconception about this group: That FitFluential Ambassadors are in it for the free products and access to big brands.

These two things are only a small part of the FitFluential story. If you ask any ambassador, they'll tell you that getting free products and access to big brands is really just icing on the motivational cake. Campaign participation is incredibly fun for bloggers like myself, and can be quite beneficial—but the sense of community that comes from testing and sharing things we believe in is worth so much more. Not only does it introduce you, our readers, to new and exciting things—it almost always opens the door to a bigger, better discussion. It connects people on so many levels, which ultimately creates a web of inspiration unlike any other.

But you don't have to be an ambassador to join this web of inspiration. FitFluential is powered by its ambassadors and fueled by its followers. Together, we create this positive, inspiring and motivating community. And it's this sense that fuels our interest in Under Armour's new What's Beautiful campaign.

Even if this campaign was sponsored by my left foot, I'd still support it.

This is a "competition born from a mission to redefine the female athlete." Show me someone who DOESN'T want to empower the female athlete (the one within you, or the one standing next to you), and I'll write an entire post sponsored by my aforementioned left foot. (Seriously, that would bore you to bits.)

Under Armour is really doing a wonderful thing with this campaign. It's all about girl power...about setting and achieving goals. About motivating and/or following each other every step of the way.

Oh, and it really is a competition that runs through July 15, 2013. But you don't have to approach it as such. Stick with the motivation angle and you'll come out on top, no matter what. But if you do want to focus more on the competition aspect of this campaign, sounds like there are some prizes involved.

Dive into the website for more information.

Here's my profile:

Admittedly, I'm still diving into all that it offers. But from what I've learned so far in my site-surfing adventures, it sets you up to connect with like-minded individuals in an effort to make and meet goals on a personal- and/or on a team-based level. Yes, you can create your own team defined by a goal you throw out there. No, you don't have to. You can certainly request an invite to join a team that speaks to you and your personal goal(s). That's one of the things that makes this campaign so beautiful. You can find others going through the same thing you are in an effort to conquer similar challenges.

My own personal goal? To continue getting a daily dose of fit (obviously), but with a side of positive attitude and self-love, each and every day.

This seems like an obvious goal for me, sure. Maybe even an easy one. But the whole "positive attitude" thing...not so easy. I'm damn hard on myself. Super critical of my performance in a workout, and how I look in workout clothes. (Any clothes, really.)

That's stupid, I know.
Call me human. And imperfect.

It's what I am.
And that's what's beautiful.

So, come on. Let's be strong together. What is your goal? Declare it loud and proud by creating a profile on the Under Armour What's Beautiful campaign site. Join a team if you feel so inclined. Or simply do your own thing. However you go about it, promise me you'll fight for your fitness. Believe in your fitness. Because beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. And those that see beauty in the art and heart of all that it fitness and good health...and teamwork and achieving group or personal goals...those people see a beautiful thing. And you have what it takes to be one of them, those "beholders" of beauty.

Believe it: You will achieve your fitness goals.
Say it: "I will."

Join the web of inspiration by using #whatsbeautiful and #iwill on Twitter, too. Inspire others, and let others inspire you. Be sure to follow @UAWomen and @adailydoseoffit! You know I wanna know what you're up to...I cannot wait to be inspired by your journeys (as if I'm not inspired by them already).

Question: What is your current health and fitness goal? What are you doing to achieve it?