In recent years, we have seen a growing emphasis on fitness and physical health. People have their own personal reasons and convictions as to why the want to be fit and healthy but regardless, there is no denying the prominence of staying healthy in modern society. From gluten-free, zero fat, Pinterest recipes that turn out really, really bad to seeing fitness models promote flat tummy teas on Instagram, there is also an underlying pressure and desire to have a certain body type which causes people (young, impressionable girls, specifically) to believe that this body type is necessary to be successful. From these various outlets emerged the concept of the “revenge body”. This idea implies that one should focus on changing themselves through working out and looking good with the objective of executing revenge on someone that hurt them. 9 times out of 10, the person who hurt them is a significant other and the objective is trying to make them think about what they lost by looking even better than they did while in the relationship.
This idea became mainstream overnight. So mainstream that Khloe Kardashian just premiered a reality television show about it. While on the surface, the premise of the series seems harmless but the hidden message of the series and the entire concept of the “revenge body” is highly problematic.
Not only does it promote the idea that people need to have a certain body type to be deemed attractive but it also promotes a rather shallow way of thinking
(“I’m gonna workout, completely change myself, and become really hot to s*%t on my ex and make him really jealous.”). I also think it’s a little strange how a television show called “Revenge Body” was created and hosted by a woman who didn’t exercise for her body, but opted to get plastic surgery. There’s no issue with a woman getting plastic surgery. It becomes a problem when they lie about it and make people believe they exercised to get that body.
Additionally the problem with Khloe’s show is that she is exploiting these people for ratings. She is making it seem like being fat is disgusting, although she has said, “It’s not about a weight number, it’s about how you feel” If that’s true, why does she have a whole show with people who are fat and telling them their weight isn’t suitable? That they must lose it to get their ‘revenge body’.
As I stated in the beginning of this article, people have their reasons for getting into shape and living a healthy lifestyle but at the end of the day, you must ask yourself whether you are doing this for you or are you doing this to impress someone who you believe wronged you? If you answered “yes” to the latter, you should re-evaluate your way of thinking. If you attempt to transform yourself with the lone intention of trying to impress someone who did you wrong, you’ve already lost.
Getting “revenge” on an ex through what you believe to be a good body is counterproductive for two reasons. At the end of the preview for ‘Revenge Body’ they ask, “Who is this revenge body for?”,everyone begins to name their ex-partners, their parents, their friends, etc.
First, you’re ex has moved on and probably isn’t checking for you. Second, if the only reason you’re getting into shape is to get someone else’s attention, all you’re doing is allowing outside opinions to hold substantial weight in your life which will only leave you physically and mentally exhausted. In life, people will betray you, people will leave you, and people will break your heart and that’s ok. Although you might not want to, all you can do is get up, face the day, and keep going. Seeking revenge on people and holding grudges in your heart is no way to live your life.
All that does for you is constantly suck the life out of you as you constantly put energy into pleasing other people. With that in mind, having a nice body and living a healthy lifestyle is cool but if you’re doing it for the approval of others instead of your own approval, it’s all for nothing. Put energy into becoming your best self and living your best life by doing things for YOU because the best revenge you can have is doing you and not giving a damn who sees. Once you start to do that consistently, a huge weight will suddenly fly off of your shoulders.
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