Love Island - harmless or hurtful?

We all know I love a bit of trashy TV, I fully admit to indulging in a lot of programs that many people probably find unbearable.

To me watching a bit of ‘reality’ TV, something easy to view without engaging your brain all that much (if at all) is the perfect chance to switch off and unwind.

It worked for me when I was at work full time and stressed after dealing with clients and staff and it still works for me now as a full time Mum of 3. 

So as you can imagine this week seeing the return of Love Island has cheered me right up! 

I do however feel like this time around there are a few hot topics that are worth discussing aside from it being a prime example of trash. 

On viewing this year I’ve felt - moreso than last year even - my age is showing. I struggle to find any of the male contestants that attractive so far (could that be because they could be a younger brother to me and I wouldn’t want my kids on such a show?) 

For me it’s the ideal escapism, let’s be honest in my late 30s and a Mum I’m not ever going to be a candidate on the island of lurrve - my body doesn’t fit the mould, neither does my age or lifestyle! I can lose myself in watching these toned tanned young flirts.

However, given the pressures of social media now to look a certain way and the sort of criticism you can face with trolling and the like these sort of programs have come under attack. Particularly with Love Island since there have 
now been 2 suicides with previous contestants. 

Most recently the Jeremy Kyle show has been cancelled given one of its participants committed suicide. So why has that not been the case for Love Island? Why is it felt there’s a direct correlation with Jeremy Kyle’s interviewing techniques and a suicide, but no link between the two Love Island contestants’ deaths and that show?

In my opinion I’m not a fan of the Jeremy Kyle show but I’m not that confident the show or the presenter can fully truly be blamed for the man’s suicide. When it comes to Love Island, I have to agree, but something admittedly does feel like it’d be more likely to be a factor.

Why? Because it’s all based on looks and popularity.

That brings me on to the next topic of discussion this year - why are the men and women on it all so perfect and it has been argued not truly representative of society in 2019? 

But should they be? 

Again I find it hard to comment as for me, I know I’m not at that stage in my life right now that I’d even try compare myself to the 20-somethings featuring on screen. Like I said I like to watch the show as escapism and a break from my real life so I don’t necessarily need or want to see a more diverse representative line up. 

Let’s be honest the show is about flirting and sex overall. As the series increase it tends to be more about celeb wannabes trying to get more followers, likes and advertising campaigns/TV opportunities. 

And really, has it ever truly been about finding Love? 

I don’t care though, I find it fun to watch! There I admit it.

Yes that’s shallow and the show is shallow, but it serves a purpose. 

In a world where there is so much hatred, fighting, violence, worry, messy politics and more negativity is there any harm in some programs being aired that are just a load of trash and easy watching? 

For me no. However, for vulnerable easily-influenced young men and women out there (particularly when mental health issues are so prevalent right now) perhaps it is time to dig a little deeper and consider how ‘harmless’ these programs truly are.

Admittedly I certainly wouldn’t want any of my kids going on such a show when they’re older! 

I'm an insecure girl too: help me out of here!

Sitting here on a Friday night on my own, without any foodie treats, vino or company and wearing my onesie, I'm clearly not worried how sad I sound.

Therefore I'll crank it up a notch and admit I'm watching I'm A Celebrity! Oh and I am ill and on antibiotics, hence the naff social life of late and depressed mood!

Anyways, I'm watching said reality show on ITV and am pleased to say it's made me smile tonight.

Yesterday however was another story. 

Don't get me wrong I'm pleased body image and what women face regarding their feelings and appearance was highlighted. I felt so saddened though that a top athlete could be made so low and has had such a bad time of it all down to her appearance.

No matter how time progresses nothing changes for us girls and our bodies does it?

It saddens me and makes me so angry that a woman who has an OBE and has a bloody Olympic medal for goodness sake can feel so low and worthless over ignorant peoples' comments on social media and being around a beauty pageant stunner. 

I'm not anti Amy Willerton at all, she seems a nice enough person and her challenge today showed her to be brave and with a sense of humour - she did very well and was very calm throughout. 

Admittedly this did anger me, just through pure jealousy - she is so pretty and a nice person and is good with heights, bugs and adventurous challenges. Damn her!

Although I have to say her fawning over Joey Essex has done my head in! 

It's just unbelievable that we are in 2013 and every woman in that jungle is being judged by their appearance or has issues. The fact Laila (Mo from Eastenders) seems the most confident says a lot - body confidence seems to come with age and experience. Perhaps it's because she comes from an era that celebrated curves? 

Rebecca has clear issues with appearance and Lucy from Emmerdale was very forthcoming in revealing her insecurities. 

For such a trashy TV easy-watching show like this it's been pretty hard going to watch. 

As a female who is constantly worrying about my size and judging myself against others it also hit a nerve. I think a lot of us girls are the same sadly. 

My boyfriend even laughs whenever I'm off to the gym or eating healthily saying I'd never be happy whatever size I may be and whatever compliments people give me I don't accept.

For tonight though I've been cheered somewhat. Yes I was annoyed at after showing Amy doing so well in a physical challenge, the program then resorted to the clichéd shower scene so well known now on I'm A Celeb after the famous Mylene scenes! 

But then Matthew Wright saved the day. Yes sobbing scared candidate Mr Wright, the smarmy faced channel 5 presenter you typically want to slap. He saved the day?

Why? Because he decided to do his own white bikini shot in the waterfall shower. Classic! 

Just the sort of thing we need to see, mocking of these long awaited 'sexy' scenes that all the tabloids wait for. About bloody time! 

So men take note, us girlies enjoy a bit of humour, regardless of how you look. So perhaps once in a while judge a lady by her combined assets and not just those that belong in a bikini or in your childish lad mag fantasies!

And girls? You're not getting off lightly either. Stop bitching about one another - we all do it - maybe next time you start think of how you feel next to that beauty in the bar with you or having to step out in that teeny weeny swimwear in the Summer.

Will I be applying this attitude myself? Of course! 

Now what was it they were saying in the Dingo Dollar about how many lies men tell, never mind women... 

Should it always be fitness first?

Why is it so easy to put on weight and become lethargic, yet so hard to shift it and get motivated? A couple of years ago I decided enough was enough and was determined to get myself in shape. I did this through a variety of means – going to the gym, boxercise, swimming and eating more healthily. I managed to lose nearly three stone in weight and dropped 2-3 dress sizes. I felt much healthier and happier with myself and found myself disgusted when I looked at old photos of myself.

However, what with this year having been one where there have been a few issues to deal with, my healthy regime slacked somewhat and I have quickly piled the pounds back on. What is the key to keeping healthy and dealing with what life has to throw at you, and in turn maintaining a good social life?

I know so many women who like me find they are constantly unhappy with their size. Is it just we are never happy whatever our bodies look like? Or are some of us just destined to be on a diet or some kind of plan all our lives?

Why is it some of us get stressed and can’t eat, yet the rest get down and get the munchies? How comes some people don’t really get much enjoyment out of food and just see eating as a chore, whilst others use eating as a social experience? Or what about those lucky souls who seem to eat what they like and don’t pile on the pounds?

I wonder what age do you get to when you feel satisfied with how you look? Or do you ever reach that point? Are us ladies just hard on ourselves (and perhaps men too) and spend our whole life judging how we look – not developed enough when young, too fat, too thin, and then when old too wrinkled, too grey?

If I set aside the time I have a variety of fitness options at my fingertips – the gym, Wii Fit, Zumba workout (I’ve had a Wii game since August and still not tried it), classes at the gym, a running club where I live, swimming, boxercise indoors with my boyfriend (he used to PT), when the weather is warm I live right near a park and fields so could go for long walks/runs. Why does it always seem we don’t have enough time?

Do we in fact always have enough time and make excuses all the time in reality? One thing I find hard is when to push myself more and when to perhaps take a break when the rest of my life is a bit manic. If I have a hard day at work should I push myself to go to the gym and relieve any tension with a workout? Or should I give myself time to relax and go when I am not so tired? I really do find it hard recognising if I am being lazy or if my body is legitimately tired out and needs a break.

So, I guess, if anybody is out there who has found some exercise plan they have stuck to, someone who manages to find time always to get their fitness regime to work and has achieved a good balance between going out, having fun and keeping their weight in check, please give me a shout! Any tips are much welcomed!

I worry about classes as my coordination is bad, I’m not sure whether to join a running club as each time I go to the gym my running abilities seem to vary. Is there something ideal out there for me? Am I just making excuses? What do you think?

I am in need of some fitness friends and some workout wonders please!.... Well after I pig out for a week in Morocco first, of course...