There are two competing giants at war with each other in our culture: businesses that pander to our desire for the perfect body and good looks versus the food industry. I think the food industry is winning. (All I need do is look at my not-so-glorious body for proof.) We are indeed an overfed nation. What ever happened to balance and not doing everything to the extreme?

Marcy, I was sorely tempted to do just that (turn the magazine over), especially since my 11 year old daughter was standing in line with me -- can I tell you, I just wasn't up to the task that particular day to try to explain to my daughter why it was so wrong (while the man behind me stood listening)? Partly it was because I didn't want to embarrass him and partly because I honestly don't think my innocent daughter would understand -- I didn't know how to tell her why it was wrong & why men would be so transfixed over a woman's body. I kept thinking that I just didn't want to steal her innocence. I want her to believe that the world will judge her, not by the size of her chest or her physical appearance, but by who she is as a human being. It was one of the saddest lessons I learned -- that my sexuality was more important than my morals, wit, intelligence, love, or godliness to half the people I interact with (maybe more).

And might we suggest that it is blasphemy ("the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God ") every time a Christian man knowingly picks up an SI swimsuit issue . . .

I just finished reading a book called Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ, Not Conformed to the Culture http://www.teresatomeo.com/Books-And-Media/ that dealt with this very topic. The author, Teresa Tomeo talked about how women are sold a bill of goods today and think that only the super thin and primped woman is what is beautiful. It is not. It is all an illusion. Even those models don't look like that. Women need to realize that they are daughters of the King and that is what brings real beauty and happiness.

Janet - A friend of mine flips them over on the news stand while she's waiting in line. :)

It's just so pathetic that this was SI's attempt to "appeal" to their female readership. How incredibly unappealing. Meanwhile, if I want to look like the women in the SI Swimsuit issue, I think I'll use Photoshop!

Your last paragraph had me laughing, Rachel, and I love your statement on blasphemy. Your reference to perfect teeth remind me too of something a dentist friend told me. He sees a major uptick in cosmetic work in a particular demographic of his patients: divorced men in their 40s. He says he also notices that they are losing weight. Apparently this type of physical vanity is not limited to a particular age or sex (but we knew that already!). Cheers, Tim (timfall.wordpress.com)

Thank you for NOT posting the cover shot of the recent swimsuit issue -- it borders on pornographic and I was embarrassed to have to stand in the checkout line for 10 minutes with it right next to me with a 50ish man behind me who was riveted. I think the whole thing is so incredibly sad. Sad that men are taught and supported in fixating on women's bodies as commodities to be used. Sad that women buy into this and actualy strive to become such a commodity.

Very interesting post, Rachel. I'm firmly in midlife now, and I'm glad that I don't have those issues anymore. Aging isn't what made the biggest difference. My husbands were inadvertently a big player in that. My late husband was the first person whom I remember telling me I was beautiful and it didn't sound like a pickup line. My current husband also says I'm beautiful, but I don't need to hear it as much anymore. (I still don't call myself beautiful, but I know I'm not unattractive. My husband's eyesight is failing so ...) The love and laughter we share almost daily is more enriching than being beautiful. That's not to say that we don't encourage each other to be healthier, but it's about health, not looks. We both think that being as healthy as you can is the right way to treat the bodies that God gave us. Thanks for your thoughtful post.