Extremely Ripped- from the neck down!

[morningstar]

I'm sure that this will be a controversial post (okay, everyone, fight nice!), but I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. I was on the Ripped website today and watched a preview of Extremely Ripped. Jari looks like she's either had plastic surgery or botox. I think it's too bad that she felt she needed it. I have always felt that she wears too much makeup in her workouts for my tastes and thought it was unnecessary.

I really prefer women in their natural state, wrinkles and all. I guess I'm disppointed that she seems to be insecure with how she looks, given how ripped she is (and she's even more so than usual, for this DVD). One of the reasons I work out is because I want to look great without help. I hate it when otherwise confident women start messing with their faces to try to look younger.

Beyond the issue of feeling like we are not good enough just as we are and the psychological ramifications of that feeling, I'm not sure why looking younger is a compliment - okay, you look more fertile and therefore, from a biological point of view, hotter- but younger also can equate with being naive, stupid, ignorant, unseasoned, powerless and easy to manipulate. I think women get more powerful the older we get as we get to know who we are, where our strengths lie and what we want. Perception sometimes becomes reality. I wonder why we are so willing to give away the perception of the kinds of power we have earned just to have the perception of being fertile. I understand the biological imperative of wanting men to find us hot, I just wonder if we are paying too high a price for it.

The trailer for the DVD was okay - seems like the same basic idea, lots of reps, some full body stuff, light weights. New set, lots of new background exercisers. Jari looks very sexy Catwoman-esque in black - very hot outfit, but not very workout-friendly, as far as I can tell. I haven't pre-ordered it yet, because I'm not sure that her type of workouts really inspire me now, but hell, I have all of her others (although I haven't done them in a few months) so I probably will order it eventually.

I welcome debate on this subject, because I think it is an important and complex issue for women and more discussion is a good thing, whether people agree with me or not. All women have to deal with this issue in one way or another - let's talk about it.

That being said, let the flaming begin!

 

[LaughingWater]

I understand the biological imperative of wanting men to find us hot...

I wish women cared less and less about this. Honestly, who are we trying to impress?

At this point, I couldn't care less if a 20 year old thought I was attractive. Or a 30 year old, for that matter. In fact, I'm not interested in attracting anyone.

1) I'm married to the only man I want to impress, and he loves me as I am...right now.

2) I have more important things to worry about, like raising my children.

3) Any exercising I do is done for ME, so I can be strong, healthy, and one kick ass Grandma someday (I have a lot of baking to do, darnit. I have to be in good shape.). Plus it's fun.

4) If I were on the market, a guy would have to love me just as I am right now (like DH), with wrinkles, strands of gray, stretch marks, and a little extra padding. Don't like it? *points* There's the door. Makes no difference to me.

Great topic! I love crabbing about this.

 

[Snitker]

Jari looks as awesome as ever. I watched the video and I don't think she looks any different or like she's had botox or plastic surgery. I cannot wait to get my copy of this video. It looks like another great one from Jari. You just can't find a bad Cathe or bad Jari workout! These two ladies are my inspiration and go to gals when I need to see results!

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

1) I'm married to the only man I want to impress, and loves me as I am...right now.

2) I have more important things to worry about, like raising my children.

3) Any exercising I do is done for ME, so I can be strong, healthy, and one kick ass Grandma someday (I have a lot of baking to do, darnit. I have to be in good shape.). Plus it's fun.

4) If I were on the market, a guy would have to love me just as I am right now (like DH), with wrinkles, strands of gray, stretch marks, and a little extra padding. Don't like it? *points* There's the door. Makes no difference to me.

That pretty much sums up exactly how I feel on the subject. You reach a point where life is about more than just looks. Way more. And actually once you stop being so focused on looks, life gets amazingly better. Richer and more satisfying.

 

[TeTe]

I was watching the film "Dangerous Liaisons" yesterday, and there was a great line that seems relevant to this thread: "Vanity and happiness are incompatible."

 

[netsnotes16]

If one can afford botox, and surgery go for it.

I did see the clips of Jari and I enjoy her workouts, good compliment to Cathe's.

 

[jodijodi]

I don't really follow Jari's workouts, so I can't comment on her specifically, but in general I am a bit disappointed when women I admire turn to plastic surgery. I don't really have anything against it, and I know that in some situations it can change someone's life for the better, but for me personally, I have no intention of doing any surgery or procedures. And it does make me happy when I meet others who feel the same way.

Having said that, I do admit to not being entirely happy with what I see in the mirror since I hit forty. Luckily, my DH says I look great. He's such a sweetie.

 

[Connie07]

Count me as another female that does NOT care what men of any age think of my looks. I seriously don't get why some women get hung up on that. I"m 48, been married for a wonderful guy for 23 yrs who loves me for ME (extra padding and all) but even before I was married I didn't give a dam what men thought of me, I didn't define myself by male opinions (not saying anyone here does, but I know women that do) To each her own I guess. I just think many women are too hard on themselves in regards to looks/weight. Neither can guarentee happiness. I"m a lot heavier than I was when I married, but I can honestly say I've never been more sure of myself even with gray hair, extra weight and a few wrinkles showing up....inner peace is an amazing thing. I"m not a Jari Love workout fan either. Just didn't click with her stuff.

 

[LauraMax]

I don't really follow Jari's workouts, so I can't comment on her specifically, but in general I am a bit disappointed when women I admire turn to plastic surgery.

I must be a huge disappointment to you guys.

I'm 41, I'm single, & I have every intention of taking advantage of all the advances science has to offer me to stay looking as young as possible. I'm not doing it for anyone but me. It makes me sad that I (and others) am judged so harshly for it.

 

[cb1924]

I must be a huge disappointment to you guys.

I'm 41, I'm single, & I have every intention of taking advantage of all the advances science has to offer me to stay looking as young as possible. I'm not doing it for anyone but me. It makes me sad that I (and others) am judged so harshly for it.

you are not a dissappointment to me!! I'm married and still want to look younger than I am. I am going to be 40 in a month and I am trying not to look it. I want to look as young as I feel... and most of the time that is about 25-30. Though I don't think I would do surgery (except maybe to lift the "girls" ).

chrissy

Laura when are you getting fraxel done? I am curious about it. (if you don't mind sharing)

 

[Liann]

I must be a huge disappointment to you guys.

I'm 41, I'm single, & I have every intention of taking advantage of all the advances science has to offer me to stay looking as young as possible. I'm not doing it for anyone but me. It makes me sad that I (and others) am judged so harshly for it.

To each his own Laura! You do what makes YOU feel good. I'll never get the animosity towards woman who get "work" done. I only feel bad for the ones who get a botched job and even then it's sympathy not anger. Who is to say they are doing it for men anyways. Maybe it just makes them feel good about themselves. I'm always hearing girls here at work point out so and so's boob job, blah, blah... Who cares???

 

[LaughingWater]

Laura, if you're doing it for you, and not to attract a mate or gain outside approval, then who can argue? I color my hair because I'm not ready to look at the gray hair yet. That's for ME and no one else.

I'm disappointed when people do it because they feel they need to live up to some empty standard society has set. In other words, the 40 year old woman who busts her butt in the gym and goes to great lengths via plastic surgery...so she can still be considered "hot" (God, how I hate what that word has become) by men...argh, that makes me nuts.

(All that said, when you stop fighting the inevitable, life becomes much more pleasant. )

 

[fit44]

Who is to say they are doing it for men anyways. Maybe it just makes them feel good about themselves.

No kidding! I'm amazed when I hear women say plastic surgery is for women to look good for a man. Yeah right. I'm all about looking good for myself.
I have several friends who have had PS and none of them did it to look good for a man Geez! That is so far from the truth!


Chrissy, ITA with you. I feel much younger on the inside. I've had little tweaks here and there. I don't want to look 20, but I want to look as young as I feel. I had my girls lifted after my first pregnancy. Childbirth left me with 80 year old looking breast. No one looks at my breast but me. I had them fixed for ME.

 

[LaughingWater]

I have several friends who have had PS and none of them did it to look good for a man Geez! That is so far from the truth!

Perhaps for you and your friends. That is not the case with all though. I have personally known women who went to great lengths for the approval of men. It's sad.

 

[fit44]

Perhaps for you and your friends. That is not the case with all though. I have personally known women who went to great lengths for the approval of men. It's sad.

You can't lump all women into the same group. The majority of women do it for personal reasons. Women are their own worst critics. Men could care less.
I also think it's unfair to say Jari has had work done. It's pure speculation.

 

[Liann]

I guess my feeling on it is that even if they did it for a man, who am I to judge them for it? It's there decision and there is no way for me to know their motives. None of the girls I have ever heard gossiping about someone's PS ever stopped to find out the person's motivation though. The second they heard or noticed the the surgery, they went into gossip over time. That's what I don't understand - how all the well adjusted, satisfied with their own body and looks women still have that need to obsess about other women's bodies. Not referring to any of the earlier posters. I haven't really read through all the posts, just my observations.

 

[sparrow13]

Just want to say that keeping oneself fit/healthy/attractive in order to attract a mate of the same condition is not, IMO, the same as fearfully seeking approval from the opposite sex, or having surgery etc. because some guy wants you to, or your husband doesn't like your breasts now. I was fit when I met DH; I wanted someone fit, as did he. I think that is just the natural course of things.

Sparrow

 

[LauraMax]

See now I'm just not sure that's true. I exercise for me, I get cosmetic procedures for me, etc. etc. I honestly couldn't care less whether the man I'm with works out or not. I mean, I want someone who's healthy, & you know, not HUGE, but my last BF didn't work out at all & it didn't bother me one bit. Exercise is MY thing. Most people aren't into it much. If I limited myself only to men who exercise, I don't know if I'd ever date again.

It's personal choice. With my cosmetic stuff I'm not necessarily trying to change myself--I would never get a nose job or a boob job, but w/that said I'm not at all critical toward those who do--I'm just trying to stay as youthful looking as I can.

 

[morningstar]

I must be a huge disappointment to you guys.

I'm 41, I'm single, & I have every intention of taking advantage of all the advances science has to offer me to stay looking as young as possible. I'm not doing it for anyone but me. It makes me sad that I (and others) am judged so harshly for it.

Hi Laura,

I was expecting to hear from you on this! I adore you, I just wonder about your expressed need (and many otehr women's too!) to appear younger as you get older and wiser. It isn't judgement, so much as an exploration of what it means to be a woman getting older in our society.

 

[morningstar]

I guess I also want to explore the idea of looking "good":

1. What is our definition of looking "good"? Is it synonymous with looking "young", and if so, why?

2. When we say we want to look "good" for ourselves, why do we want that?

3. If looking "good" leads to making us more successful, more marketable, more valuable, then good looks aren't so much about looking good for ourselves, as allowing us to be perceived as a more valuable asset in our society.

Lots of interesting philosophical questions on this. There is no right answer - just lots of opinions that can be explored and questioned.