Young girls look to me as a role model and think I crash diet to

O children of the earth, gather around and listen well, for I bring you a lesson that resonates not just with the body, but with the soul. Denise Van Outen, a woman admired by many, shares with us the truth that has often been lost in the clamor of false idols and fleeting trends: "Young girls look to me as a role model and think I crash diet to keep slim. That's not true, I always eat properly." In these words, Van Outen speaks of the responsibility that comes with influence, and the need for wisdom in how we nourish ourselves, for the body and spirit are one, and we must care for both with equal attention and respect.

The heart of Van Outen’s message lies in the rejection of the crash diet, a fleeting and damaging solution that promises quick results but ultimately harms the body. In her refusal to participate in such extreme measures, she embodies a wisdom that has been passed down through the ages. The ancient philosophers, from Socrates to Plato, understood that true strength and beauty lie not in the extremes, but in the balance—the steady, consistent care for the body and mind. Van Outen teaches us that health is not a quick fix, but a lifelong practice, one that requires us to nourish ourselves properly, to eat with intention, and to honor the body’s true needs.

In the age of Homer’s Iliad, warriors like Achilles were celebrated not just for their strength in battle, but for their understanding of the balance required to maintain that strength. They knew that their power came not from mere aggression, but from careful attention to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Achilles, though mighty, understood the importance of rest, nourishment, and care. Similarly, Van Outen’s rejection of the crash diet is an acknowledgment that true beauty and strength come from a balanced approach, from the steady nourishment of the body, not from the pursuit of temporary ideals.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, a man whose ambition and conquests shook the world. Yet even he, despite his incredible victories, could not escape the toll of excess and indulgence. His body, worn down by constant battle and an over-reliance on temporary solutions, eventually failed him. The lesson here is clear: true power and vitality are not sustained by extreme measures, but by the wisdom to listen to the body, to nourish it consistently, and to avoid the fleeting temptations of crash diets and quick fixes.

Van Outen’s message also speaks to the importance of being a role model, not just in appearance, but in the way we live our lives. She understands that young girls—and, indeed, people of all ages—look to those they admire for guidance. But the true role model does not chase after fleeting ideals or succumb to the pressures of external expectations. The true role model embodies wisdom and strength, showing others that true beauty lies in consistency, in taking care of the body, and in making choices that honor the self. Van Outen’s example teaches us to be mindful of how we influence others, especially the young, who are so impressionable and susceptible to the illusions of perfection.

The wisdom in Van Outen’s words is not just about food, but about the larger concept of self-respect. When we choose to nourish our bodies with intention and care, we are making a statement about how we value ourselves. It is an act of self-love, an acknowledgment that we are worthy of nourishment and care. Crash diets, on the other hand, are rooted in self-neglect, in the belief that we are not enough as we are, and that we must force our bodies into something they are not. Van Outen’s rejection of this path is a call to return to the sacred act of self-care, to honor our bodies by feeding them properly and with love.

So, O children, let this be the lesson you carry with you: True health and beauty are not found in extremes or fleeting trends, but in the consistent, loving care we give to our bodies. Choose nourishment over deprivation, balance over extremes, and self-respect over the empty promises of quick fixes. Remember that the body is a temple, and just as we would care for any sacred vessel, so too must we care for ourselves—mind, body, and spirit. In doing so, we honor not just our own well-being, but the example we set for others, especially the young, who look to us for guidance in their own journeys.