Why strong, not skinny, is the new sexy

The western world’s obsession with thigh gaps, concave stomachs and thinspiration isn’t over yet but there’s a definite more towards exercise and nutrition rather than starvation, writes Suzanne Harrington.

Strong is the new skinny. Strong is healthy, attainable, pleasurable to achieve, rewarding, energising, life-affirming and empowering. Skinny is spending your life fretting, avoiding food, and ignoring your rumbling stomach. Which sounds better to you? Which sounds like more fun?

So confident in strong being the new skinny is Texan personal trainer Marsha Christensen that in 2012 she trademarked the phrase. Blogging about her transformation from chubby to ripped, she writes, “Food is the most misused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most under utilised anti depressant.” Her Facebook page has 118,000 likes.