Masterchef Julie Goodwin hits back at weight claims
Former Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin has spoken out over claims she needs to lose weight after posing in a swimming costume for the cover of New Idea.
Goodwin, who decided to pose for New Idea to help celebrate the difference between people, says she is in good health and using size as the only indicator of someone's well-being is "facile".
Social columnist Ros Reines was critical of Goodwin's looks after she appeared on the cover, saying it was irresponsible of her to pretend it was OK to be overweight.
Reines, who recently lost 20 kilograms herself with help from Jenny Craig, said Goodwin owed it to her children to shed some weight.
Goodwin responded in her blog saying she was proud of her body and that everyone should be able to feel comfortable in their own skin "despite what uninformed media commentators write".
"Predictably, gossip columnist Ros Reines has once again taken aim at my appearance because I do not fit her perception of what is healthy."
"However, it fascinates me that my health can be commentated by someone who has absolutely no medical data on me."
"Not my blood pressure, my fitness, physical strength, activity levels, stress levels, alcohol or drug consumption, genetic predispositions or socio-economic circumstances - all of which contain health predictors."
"Even my weight is an unknown piece of medical data. But then, there’s no point letting the facts stand in the way of a good sledging."
"Using size as the only indicator to someone’s health is facile. It’s also dangerous as young girls opt for radical diet and drug options to be thin and fit the media’s portrayal of health and beauty."
"It is shallow to suggest that we are all the same in body type and only people who overeat and are lazy might be bigger than a magazine model."
As for what she owed her children, Goodwin said she owed them the "best of herself".
For Goodwin, this not only includes being fit and healthy, but having the capacity to pass on a "broad world view and an education that includes how to be a compassionate human".
