The Powers Secrets of Charm
The 1954 guide Secrets of Charm was co-authored by John Robert Powers, of Powers School fame. Powers was an American actor who founded the renowned modeling agency in New York City.
In this book, everything from figure to posture to fashion is covered, and its earliest chapters are devoted to weight management. It should be said that a balanced diet, rich in diverse foods, significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. By curbing excessive consumption of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, we enhance our overall well-being, so the question of weight management isn’t related to mere aesthetics.
In this first chapter, titled “Charming of Form,” the authors give the following advice:
Is your figure what you want it to be?
Beauty, grace and a way with fashion, always marks of a charmer, have their origins in a well-proportioned, lissome body. Even the most enchanting face and costume cannot fully overcome the appearance of an ill-balanced figure; gracefulness never dwells therein. Muster all your courage and take a second look!
Whatever you detect–overweight, underweight or spotty distribution of flesh—face the fact. Unless you do, there is no hope of correction.
Done? Then as of this moment, perfection is within your easy grasp.
And later, after determining where you are relative to your ideal weight:
Something must now be said that may not appeal to you for the moment. There is no solution to a weight problem except through diet, and no assurance that ideal weight can be long possessed except through diet.
Stop shuddering! In our lexicon, diet never, NEVER, denotes black coffee and starvation for the reducer, unpalatable stuffing for the gainer or fussy picking for the figure vigilant. Diet to us, and to you from here on, means eating for the enjoyment of one of life's natural pleasures, but eating with a new technical skill, one that creates superior health, vitality, poundage, beautiful hair and skin. These benefits, and many more, are bestowed by the Beauty Diet that awaits you.
The authors promote a weight management program called the "Beauty Diet," which we’ll explore in more detail in later posts. The more important point made here is the link between physical appearance and self-confidence, since a well-proportioned body enhances beauty and grace. This chapter encourages us to assess our body shape and address any weight issues. While acknowledging the importance of diet, the program promises a positive approach to weight management, based on benefits beyond weight loss, such as improved health and vitality.