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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOmaha woman loses 130 pounds, wins figure competition first time she wears bikini in public
Left photo: Conner Rensch in 2007 during her senior year of high school. Right photo: Conner Rensch in June 2015 competing at a fitness competition in Denver.
http://www.livewellnebraska.com/fitness/omaha-woman-loses-pounds-wins-figure-competition-first-time-she/article_e9618bf6-19eb-11e5-b8dd-f72b4d85f542.html
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 4:30 pm | Updated: 5:48 pm, Tue Jun 23, 2015.
By Conner Rensch / livewellnebraska.com
Let me make one thing very clear: I dont wear a bikini. In fact, I've never worn a bikini in public until last weekend.
So people may be a little confused as to why I got into a tiny two-piece and paraded around a stage to be judged at a figure competition in Denver.
Well, I had something to prove to myself.
Since May 2008, I have lost 130 pounds, and I am incredibly proud of myself.
FULL story at link. Earlier story here: http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/kelly-she-lost-half-her-weight-gained-national-attention/article_fcabdc9f-c08c-5bb1-a78b-a045647f3462.html
Related Stories at link.
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TheCount_
(70 posts)but I don't see why she sees the need to parade around in a "figure competition." Even getting recognized for a genuine accomplishment depends on sexism.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)Parade aeound...jeez...maybe you can buy her a burka if you feel that strongly.
TheCount_
(70 posts)Definition of parade: Walk or march in public in a formal procession or in an ostentatious or attention-seeking way.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)What's wrong with that? Jesus, the people with the hairshirt, sackcloth and ashes. Life is short, why some people enjoying it as they see fit bothers other people so much, simply befuddles the shit out of me.
So maybe she likes the attention, even. Big fuckin' deal.
TheCount_
(70 posts)Yes, she likes the attention, but only on her terms. And some people wonder why their is no equality among the genders.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)...anyway, who doesn't like attention "on their terms"? Isn't that sort of the point?
Why isn't she allowed to do what she wants with her own body?
TheCount_
(70 posts)Is that a question? What is that?
If there is an interaction with people, then it's not exactly your terms. Being in public is not being in front of a mirror. She can obviously do what she wants, and I can say what I want.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)You know, spell check is handy, but it's not infalliable-- or magic.
TheCount_
(70 posts)I still don't get your point.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Contrary1
(12,629 posts)Maybe she has had issues regarding her body image for most of her life, and this was her way of ridding herself of those feelings.
She is a beautiful woman, in both the before and after pictures. If doing this helps her to accept herself, that's fine by me.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)But I don't see how this reaction to that is useful.
If it's for her vanity or whatever, that's her right, but I have my right to my opinion of it.
Edited to add that I grew up in the Kennedy fitness years and loathed the coercion aspect. It's why I hate most exercise to this day, and get my back up at the mere implication of "jock."
Rozlee
(2,529 posts)Showed the ravages of her days being overweight; her prominent stretch lines and some sagging skin. I can relate. I was a tiny 5 foot nothing woman who didn't even weigh ninety pounds and pregnancy gave me stretch marks on my tummy, butt, breasts and even upper arms from swelling of breast tissue. But, she does look lovely. She looked lovely before too.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)But the bikini competition underscores the fact that women are almost solely valued for their looks and their bodies, not their minds or their accomplishments.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)I didn't get at first that it was a "fitness" contest - I had a lot of knee-jerk reactions going on.
Still, this kind of creeps me out, for many knee-jerk reasons.
I liked the person on the left better, I just hoped she was reasonably healthy.
Then again, who am I to judge? If she's happy, then good. I'm not required to admire her for it, though.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)We MUST be perfect. Men don't have to be. We are JUDGED on our appearance. Men rarely are. Unless they enroll in a body building contest, which very few men do. For women, we are ALWAYS enrolled in the Miss America contest. Always. No matter what age.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)senseandsensibility
(17,066 posts)Could not agree more.
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Certainly nowhere close to the level that women are CONSTANTLY fat-shamed by the stick-figured super model expectation, but people still look at fat men as being out-of-control gluttons....I know because I am one.
I'm a guy and I wish my male friends would get this!
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)Am I, for one, willing to make myself miserable to accomplish it? No. I decided a lot of years ago to eat what I wanted (no, I'm not talking Twinkies and potato chips) and look the way I looked.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)I've retrained my taste buds a bit, and they now think the pitcher of veggie juice in the fridge is delish!
eridani
(51,907 posts)SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)Initech
(100,081 posts)NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)linuxman
(2,337 posts)I'm sure she is healthier, feels much better, and IMO, looks better these days too. That took a lot of hard work and dedication. Admirable. Very Admirable.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)The third, well.....
linuxman
(2,337 posts)I find higher life expectancy, lower blood pressure, and lower resting heart rates sexy as hell. I'm an active guy. I love a woman who can enjoy the activities I do (running, hiking, etc...). It's an added plus if I can have my partner around for another 20 years or so.
SusanCalvin
(6,592 posts)and I notice you didn't mention the looks part.
jamzrockz
(1,333 posts)He had her hair all done up, she was smiling and she was wearing more make up in the after pic. Good for her, I am trying to get my 6 pack back and I have to say that it is harder than I thought it would be
linuxman
(2,337 posts)Abs are made more in the kitchen than in the gym.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)She rocks that bikini too.
GOLGO 13
(1,681 posts)She should continue to wear bikinis all year long.
mythology
(9,527 posts)Good for her for losing the weight. It's tough to do.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Not everyone who is overweight needs to look like that, nor should they be shamed for NOT looking like that- but I do know that losing that much weight is a pretty tough and significant accomplishment.
If it makes her feel better about herself, and she's happy, that's awesome.
Again, good for her.
Juicy_Bellows
(2,427 posts)Good for her - I can't take glee like some others in giving her shit.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I hope it adds years to the time she will be able to spend with family and friends.