Tuesday, I noted all of the things we can say “hello” to this fall. Sadly, there’s also a fall goodbye. It turns out “What Not to Wear”
is ending its run. If I’m being honest I didn’t even know the show was still
taping new shows. And yet somehow when I heard (via The Post) that it was going
to be over I was a little sentimental…funny how that works.
If you’re not familiar with WNTW, it was sort of the
first of the reality makeover shows. The focus is on clothing and guests who
are the ultimate fashion don’ts come to NYC wearing their mom jeans, shoulder padded suits or rainbow awesomeness (above). Hosts Clinton Kelly (perhaps you know him from The Chew)
and Stacy London then act as clothing tutors. There's a whole new wardrobe, hair and makeup and the teary reveal. But I’ve always felt it was about
more than outfits.
The article I read described the final episode where guests
would come back and discuss their lives since they left the show. “They’ve gotten the confidence to leave toxic relationships.
They’ve lost a significant amount of weight. They’ve gotten jobs they never
thought possible.”
I see
this pattern everyday. Weight loss can sound like a fluffy topic. I don’t think
I could get up everyday if my biggest accomplishment was helping someone lose a
few pounds but there’s more to it. Making a change to our clothing or our
weight seems superficial but is indicative of something more. When you decide
to change habits or invest time and energy on yourself it’s not about
aesthetics alone. Sometimes even when nutrition visits are vanity driven
clients will start to derive pleasure from cooking or feel calmer and then
parent differently. And yes, changes to your eating can lead to changes with
work or relationships as mentioned above. So if
it’s less daunting to address what you wear or what you weigh, start
there…maybe your ‘insides” will follow.
Do you feel superficial
changes can lead to deeper ones? Do you like “What Not to Wear”? Do you ever like the before or "don't" photos? I like rainbow lady, makes me smile.
I remember before entering this field, always thought weight loss was superficial but during internship when counseling patients, realized how much weight loss affects overall mood and confidence. So rewarding to know you are not only improving health but also quality of life. so yes, strong believer that superficial chances can lead to deeper ones
ReplyDeleteI remember before entering this field always thought weight loss was superficial but during internship, counseled patients on weight loss and saw how much confidence they gained and how much their moods changed. So rewarding to know you are not only improving health but also quality of life. So yes, strong believer that superficial changes can lead to deeper ones :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely think superficial changes can lead to deeper ones. How we choose to present ourselves to the world says a lot about how we view ourselves—sometimes even more than we think we're saying. This may sound silly, but when I started actually doing my hair in the morning instead of the wash & go, I felt like I got treated better at work, which motivated me to keep giving it my all. Taking a little (hate to say it) pride in my appearance helped me do the same with my work. Being 4'11" and looking young doesn't suck, per se, but when I need to be taken seriously, I've learned that I can't do mad scientist hair and quirky outfits.
ReplyDeleteYay, my blog likes you Jess, other comments haven't been showing up even though I was emailed them (ah technology). I totally agree and you bring up a good point not only are we affected by our weight/wardrobe but other are too. Amazing when I go into a shop in shorts and a t shirt versus work clothes. It shouldn't matter but does.
ReplyDeleteI used to watch "What Not to Wear" all the time on Friday nights. I hadn't watched for several seasons and then heard that this was the last season, so I've been watching again! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think that changes on the outside can bring with them changes on the inside. I think often when people go through a difficult time, they stop caring how they look on the outside. And it all becomes a vicious cycle. Once they stop the cycle and take care of themselves again, they can change other things.
so true Andrea, starting with clothing can break that cycle. Maybe it doesn't matter which part you start with as long as you start...
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this show but I could use a few tips. I wear black all the time. I wonder what Stacy London would think of that?
ReplyDeleteIn any case, when I go to DryBar and cough up $35 to make my hair behave? I feel like a million bucks and my confidence soars.
I think there is a whole lot to be said about superficial changes causing deeper once.