Womens_Health_USA_JulyAugust_2017

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
THE POWER OF “WHY”
It’s one of the earliest things elementary
school students and journalists
alike learn about constructing a story:
who, what, when, where, why. “Why”
always comes last (sometimes beat out
by “how,” but let’s ignore that for a
minute). And it’s a prime example of
“last but not least.” Because without the
“why,” there’s no purpose, no meaning,
for all of the rest. “Why” puts things
in context, it helps us understand and
get better and move forward.
That’s why—there it is again!—
beyond a story, it’s important to have
a “why” to power you through life.
For me, my
“why” is to find
fulfillment in two
crucial places: At
home, it’s about
providing for and
nurturing my
sons. At work, it’s
being part of a
larger good, being
able to see—
particularly in real
time, thanks to social media—that
Women’s Health can truly improve
women’s lives, be it by busting mental
health stigma, fighting for paid
maternity leave, or simply giving easy
ideas for eating a little bit better today
than yesterday.
This month’s cover girl, Emily Skye,
has an incredibly powerful “why”; in
fact, it’s why we booked her. Plagued by
self-hate and body loathing for years—
brought on first by schoolmates, who
bullied her about her large eyes and thin
frame, then later by fashion companies
for being “too muscular”—the
Instagram fitness star wants to ensure
that other women never feel the way
she did. She’s an advocate for a new type
of fitspo, one that blends aspiration
with reality, honesty and authenticity
Pre-makeup face, post-vacay belly: Emily
Skye shows it all. Ever since she was told
“fitness models don’t have tummy rolls,” her
mission’s been to make #fitspo #realspo.
with workouts that’ll have your bod
burning the next day. Emily juxtaposes
images of her incredibly toned abs with
pics of her “dessert baby,” a post-meal
stomach pooch, and shows off big ol’
chin zits—just like the ones we all get.
She preaches strength over skinny, and
treating yourself kindly over beating
yourself up—all while challenging her
followers to get healthier. And she’s
thoughtful: “Before I post anything,”
she tells WH, “I ask myself, ‘If I were
talking to my youngest self, what
would I have wanted to hear?’” (For
more from Emily, see page 63 and
follow her at
@emilyskyefit.)
Emily’s also a
judge for WH’s
Next Fitness Star
competition, our
fifth-annual search
for an up-andcoming
trainer
who has not only
the skills and
the passion, but
a “why” that makes you want to work
out with her. Meet our five finalists on
page 2 of our fitness bonus (flip over the
issue), and cast your vote for the winner!
And if you need help determining
your “why,” fill out the questionnaire
on page 14 of the fitness bonus. Then
let us know what it is! Write us, tweet
us, ’gram us at @womenshealthmag—
because our “why,” always, is making
sure you have the inspiration, the
tools, the “how,” to achieve your “why.”
AMY KELLER LAIRD
Editor-in-Chief
@amykellerlaird
@aklaird
We’ve Got a New Back Page!
Called “The Good Buy” (get it, good buy/good-bye??), it
highlights a singular product each month that is not only droolworthy,
but also has benefits for your physical and emotional
health. So you’re treating yourself in more ways than one.
COURTESY OF SUBJECT (SKYE)
10 WOMENSHEALTHMAG.COM / July/August 2017 PHOTOGRAPH BY BEN RITTER