#thisgirlcan

[letstalkbeautyuk]

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[opiatemasses]

Stick to being a ring girl

Dana White, UFC founder, once claimed that “women will never fight in the UFC”.

For a long time, the only presence women had in the UFC was as a scantily clad ring girl, signalling to the predominantly male audience which round of the fight was next.

Not only do women fight now, but they also dominate the organisation. The likes of Ronda Rousey, Chris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes and Xiong Jing Nan have ruled the UFC. They have paved the way for other female fighters to be included in the main rosters alongside the male fighters and in some cases be the main event.

However, whilst women are now better respected in their field, seemingly the media does not view them in the same way. When male UFC athletes are portrayed, they appear as professional athletes (good at their sport and superior as athletes). For example, a search of male UFC fighters in the media reviews, a recent news story that describes the athletes as ‘dominant’ and ‘superstars’ who have had ‘more success than anybody else’ in the business. The news story is in admiration of the male athletes sporting prowess.

In contrast, when a search is made of female fighters in the UFC the first title lists MMA fighters by ‘weight class and height’. This example illustrates how female fighters are subject to objectification and how their sporting prowess is often overlooked due to the magnification on their looks and body.

Women are commonly subject to objectification in the media; however, female athletes may have different perspectives on how they are presented. For example while some are opposed to female UFC bodies being exploited, potentially for the sake of the male audience, other female athletes such as Ronda Rousey, have a contrary perspective. When talking about showing off her body in the media, said:

“If I can represent that body type of women that isn’t represented so much in the media, then I’d be happy to do that. When women say that going on publications directed at men is somehow demeaning, I don’t think that’s true. I think that’s on really effective way to change the societal standards women are held to.”

This suggests there may be a positive dimension to female UFC fighters’ bodies being displayed in the media as this can promote different body types to the wider population. Most females shown in high end fashion and other media, such as health magazines typically have one body type that is then idealised for women and by women. This link talks about the body types shown in the majority of the media and the effects that it can have on women, such as, developing eating disorders because they feel as though they should look like the unrealistic body standards shown in the media. Presenting females as athletic and muscular can be positive for the confidence of other women who may not have the typical, idealised body shown in the majority of the media.

As someone who practices martial arts, I have struggled with my body looking more muscular and not feeling as petite as some of my female friends. Representation of strong female fighters in the media personally makes me feel empowered. It is good to celebrate UFC fighters in the media, but the focus shouldn’t solely be on their bodies but also on their success as an athlete. When female bodies are represented in the media it should not be for the gratification of a male audience.

So, this leaves the question of, should we embrace female UFC fighters’ bodies being shown off in the media as this can empower the wider community? Or is there too much opportunity for female UFC fighters sporting prowess to be overlooked due to the focus on their figures?

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[jennys-run-down]

What A Plank

This month I have been trying planking as part of my pilates. Obviously it was a struggle to begin with, then I thought about timing myself and keeping a record. You know, just to see how I improve.

On the 21st March I planked for 15 seconds. That was hard. A week later it increased to 30, then 35.

And tonight?

60 seconds.

BOOM!

I'm not sure how I've managed it to be honest, but I'm looking forward to seeing the timing increase!

[howloopyisthat]

(via GIPHY)

[lozzatnt]

a few weeks ago, I went on my first overnight trip on my motorbike. it was quite a big deal for me, as I've never gone more than a few miles from home, in my usual commute. so 2 days work down in Bognor Regis was the perfect chance to get out of town!

the timing wasn't ideal, to say the least... I just had my first covid jab on the day I planned to travel down. its safe to say that my arm felt a bit achey. but I couldn't let that stop me! I was honestly just glad that it didn't make me feel ill.

secondly, I checked the weather forecast and it was set to piss it down for the whole week! but regardless, I put on my rain gear and set off.

my bag was pretty heavy. I had my chain lock and disk lock (paranoid londoner alert), as well as 3 days worth of clothes and toiletries. as it was a work thing, I bought my laptop too. it all added up to a fair weight on my back, but I figured I was pretty strong (and a bit cocky??) and went for it.

as I left, it started spitting a bit. I figured that would be the extent of it, but after about 5 miles, the heavens absolutely opened. I was drenched a few minutes into my first big trip. but I've seen plenty of bikers braving the elements so kept my head down and plowed on.

I'll be honest - I was a bit stressed about the navigation. I used my wireless earphones (just one) and the voice of apple maps to take me down south. it actually turned out great. I only made a couple of wrong turns, which did add a bit of time to the trip! but overall, it worked well. it would have been great to see the map too, but without a phone holder on my bike, that simply wasn't going to happen. regardless, apple maps delivered!

I got out of London fairly quickly and painlessly. it was a Tuesday night at about 8pm and therefore more or less dead on the roads.

what I didn't totally think about, was going through the albeit amazing country roads of Surrey, with the world's wankiest LED headlight on my poor little 125. oh. and in the pouring rain!

I can imagine all the experienced bikers out there rolling their eyes at me being a massive snowflake. but yeah it wasn't my usual well lit London commute that I'm used to! far out of my comfort zone but a good challenge, providing that I came out alive!!

the visibility was so poor but I knew that in the sunshine, this place would be incredible (which I found out on the way back!).

about half way, my legs were cramping, my back ached a bit and I was drenched. I couldn't pluck up the courage to open my bag to find my clothes damp and creased. and yep. no iron in the Travelodge!

but I hopped back on and carried on to my next stop - the shell garage, about 3/4s of the way there. it was a bit of a slog, I'll be honest. but I gained so much from the trip. I felt much more natural on the bike, which I never totally achieved from my commute alone. I normally chicken out of riding in the rain, and just get the bus instead, so it was useful experience to see what I could handle in the rain. and also importantly, what my bike could handle too.

I checked my phone to see how far it would be to the garage. I must admit, I was a bit worried if I'd make it on my pea sized fuel tank. I really should have stopped sooner. the hills were sapping at my fuel, and my gauge kept going up and down, every time I looked.

It felt a bit weird to be going 60 on some of these super bendy roads. in London, it's 30mph or even 20 in most places, so it was a bit of a test for me to keep up all the time on my little bike. the cars seemed to be going 60 most of the time, where I was happier a bit slower. I pulled over to let them pass, and carried plodding along! I wish I could keep up to be honest, but I was acutely aware of the mental weather conditions, my terrible lights and my ability not to lock the brakes. but I played it safe, and as I neared Chichester, I felt a real sense of achievement. something I've not felt in a long time, to be honest.

It was a relief to find streetlight lined A roads on the way into the city. I could see again! and although sopping wet, I had a real second wind. I reached the shell garage and filled her up. I must have looked mad when I walked into the garage with a birds nest for hair and dripping all over the floor. sexy.

I treated myself to a coke and some chocolate (yep still a kid at heart) and got on my way to the hotel. As I fannied around trying to find the hotel, in the city centre (apple maps did mess me around...) I finally saw the sign to the hotel and parked up next to the bike rack. always gets me in a good mood when there's something to lock on to!

I checked into my room and hung my gear up, in desperate hope for it all to dry out by the morning (no such luck of course), and fell asleep almost instantly with a bit of family guy on.

my laptop survived, probably due to it's snuggly case, and although my clothes were a bit fucked - creased and soaked to the max, it was so worth the trip.

I could have just got the train there, but I feel like I have so many memories from the trip, that it would be such a shame to miss out on all that. after my 2 days of work were over, I drove back in the sunshine - it was such a highlight. Surry really is amazing.

I just wish I took more photos, but I still have some great memories and the hope of another trip sometime soon. I think motocamping will be on the cards next! rude not to

[hugsandcrumbs]

We did it 🤩 what an amazing adventure. I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute. The pain we are feeling today is worth it. So far we’ve raised £685 for @dementia_uk If you would like to, please click on our Just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/m-smith41?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=m-smith41&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp&utm_term=3e423825c5984f5d816c8a02a9531046 #thisgirlcan #dementia #snowdonia #goodfriends #dementiaawareness #wales #adventure #friends #family #makingmemories #charity #greatoutdoors #outdoors #hiking (at Miners Track (Snowdon)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSVI4d5sBs2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cyclingbaby]

[bekind1989]

Behold, a man!

Mixed media. Gouache and marker on 9×12 watercolour paper.