Introducing: The 'Strong Is The New Sexy' Campaign

A few months ago, I published a piece on Pippa Says  discussing the idea that strong is the new sexy. I urged you to break the stereotype that having muscles makes you less attractive and not to let scales make decisions for you, I also spoke of the importance of emotional strength. “Women will not be stereotyped as weak, the moment we all become strong,” I wrote.

In the past we have found ourselves surrounded by female role models who fit the ‘femme fatale’ archetype; seductive yet helpless and weak. Yet societal attitudes towards gender images have shifted, with the resurgence of stronger female role models. This is the year we want to become even stronger. 

Our campaign, ‘Strong is the New Sexy’, will take place over the whole of January, promoting strength and health as something well worth investing in. ‘Strong is the New Sexy’ is about breaking stereotypes, as well as helping people in the creative industries who are juggling work loads find time to focus on their health and wellbeing amongst their many projects. 

We’re teaming up with various fitness instructors, bloggers and artists to inspire different ways that you can get stronger, both physically and emotionally. It is about confidence and being the best possible version of yourself.  

As many of you may have seen on the Pippa Says facebook page yesterday, Tom Haynes from Carter Haynes Fitness, has agreed to be the official Personal Trainer for this project. He will be posting a fitness tip a day on our facebook page, and has written fitness plans for the two of us. Pippa’s plan can be followed by beginners, and Anna’s plan is for those who have already been working out. You’ll hear a lot more about that in Tom’s introductory post tomorrow.
 
To give you an even greater idea of what to expect from this project, we’ve decided to each write a little piece below about what we each want to achieve from this campaign.
 

Anna Says

Social media has such great effect on what we think and feel where body image and health is concerned. I feel it is important not to avoid the noise, but instead help people find some balance and something they can relate to with in it. Pippa and I are two young women trying to find our way in the creative industries, and in such a competitive and loud place, strength is vital in our everyday lives.

‘Strong is the New Sexy’ became of importance to me when I saw many women obsessing about their weight, and also worrying that if they did work out, they might lose any physique that we deem ‘feminine’. This would send those with insecurities spiralling down into a place where they neglected their health and diet, wouldn’t exercise, and find themselves either with eating disorders or with a low immune system and an even worse mental state. 

I’ve discussed this before with a previous post where I voiced my concerns over stereotypes and explored the many benefits of adding simple workouts to your lifestyle. We are more beautiful in health, and more equipped for this fast-paced world when strength is on our side. I am excited to begin this new year by breaking my comfort zones, setting new goals, and trying to become the best possible version of myself.
 

Personal Goals

♦ My new fitness and health plan from our very own personal trainer Tom.
♦ Breaking my personal comfort zones by trying something new. (to be revealed later!)
♦ Working on cardio and getting even stronger of course!
♦ Learning more about diet and applying it.
♦ Health and beauty come hand in hand, so making hair and skin care a priority.
 

Pippa Says

Over the years, I’ve lost a lot of confidence in my physique. Despite dancing from the age of 3 until 14, and swimming frequently and competitively at a younger age, several unfortunate accidents and multiple joint dislocations put me off for years. I became the weakling in my friendship circles, because I had let myself get like that.  

My new years resolution is to get out of post-graduation limbo and make a series of major positive changes to my life. I’m moving to Brighton, starting my career and looking after myself. The stronger I feel physically, the stronger I’ll be when it comes to facing the challenges that lie ahead.
 

Personal Goals

♦ Figure out which fitness activities I enjoy
♦ Improve my diet
♦ Commit myself to the ‘Pippa Plan’ put together by Tom and Anna
♦ Making fitness a priority in my daily routine
♦ Start to work on developing my strength

If you would like to be involved in this campaign, email pippasays@hotmail.com or annakissedceleste@gmail.com. You can also follow Pippa's blog, over at www.pippasays.com. 

There’ll be daily posts both on her blog, mine, and on facebook, which we hope will inspire you to join us in our mission to get stronger, both inside and out. AKC x