The world's fascination with the first lady's toned upper arms has been well-documented. Apparently it's time to move on. To her hips.
Marian Burros interviewed Michelle Obama for a New York Times piece called "Mrs. Obama Speaks Out About Her Household," which roughly translates to "Belts! Shoes! Diets! We Just Can't Stop Ourselves From Asking Mrs. Obama More Questions About Fashion and Her Body."
Burros writes:
The interview, which started out on the subject of the new White House vegetable garden, ended up ranging over a variety of household topics...
Because no interview about organic gardening is complete without a discussion of "household topics" like weight and trouble spots, of course. We have to wonder what question led to this:
The first lady said she was not naturally thin and, like most other people, had to exercise and watch what she eats.
“I have hips, and I have them covered up with these pleats,” she said, pointing to her Maria Pinto skirt.
To keep those hips from spreading, she said, she follows an exercise regimen of light weights, calisthenics, jump-rope and a cardiovascular routine that includes interval running.
Really, NYT? Really!?! "To keep those hips from spreading"? Is this paragraph going to be followed by a quiz to help us test our diet IQ? Should we keep reading for bathing suit styles that flatter every shape?
Actually, the article goes on to highlight Michelle Obama's attempts to instill healthy eating habits in her daughters. But we want to know more about how the Obamas are helping Sasha and Malia to develop healthy body image--especially when there is so much public scrutiny of their mother's body.