Quote:
Originally Posted by genuinegirly
I'm curious how other women perceive their bodies. I'd like us to share advice and encouragement with each other.
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Here is a frank, unaltered, not necessarily flattering full-length photo of me
I would, but I have no idea how to post a picture into a thread. Maybe I need a trip to the "technical support" forum.
Here is my height and weight
Doesn't need to be answered. But I will say not necessarily "above average" or "out of the normal" body range.
I feel confident with my body when...
My husband looks at me with lust in his eyes. My jeans fit. I can buy that cute dress/skirt/shorts I'm eyeing in the store.
I do not feel confident with my body when...
After I've been working in the yard. My husband does a "double take" at an attractive woman. I need a pedicure.
I do/don't feel comfortable advising others on their body image
Don't. It makes it worse when someone calls and moans for 15 minutes how they ate a donut and they hate themselves. Life is short, very short. Eat the freakin donut and move on.
My family impacted my opinion on my body because...
Never. It's none of their business. I have this one short life and my body, mind and soul are mine and I won't ever let anyone influence that. I don't get a do-over.
My friends impacted my opinion on my body because...
Never.
I have/haven't wanted to be thinner
Sometimes. I am what I am. I think every woman at some point or another wishes they were the "ideal". The problem with that is the ideal woman is different for every man. So some women want to be all angles and bones when their partner prefers more hills and curves. We all want to be perfect, look like movie stars, that just isn't going to happen in the real world.
I have/haven't dealt with an eating disorder
Haven't.
Weight doesn't impact my body image because ...
It has no reason to. You are who you are. As long as you're not 200lbs overweight, and you're doctor isn't telling you your weight is life threatening, then why worry?
Too much TV, too many magazines, too much porn, point women in the wrong direction.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by genuinegirly
It brought up questions about female body image - a woman's personal perception of her weight and how that contrasts with others' perceptions.
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And herein lies the problem. Women place way too much importance on other's perception and not enough on being healthy, strong and happy. No one, including a spouse, has the right to influence how a woman feels about herself or her body.
Women are much harsher critics of women than men are of women. Why do we allow other women to judge us?
Quote:
Originally Posted by genuinegirly
I enjoy exercising and would like to have a body that reflects the amount of exercise that I put in.
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If you are excercising as your body needs too, then your body DOES relfect what you are putting into it. Your heart is healthy, your lungs are healthy, your muscles are firm and strong. Do you look like you are ready to pose for Playboy? Probably not. But this in no way means that your body does not reflect the effort you are putting into it. Ever read the obituaries? Some die at 50 60 or 70. Some die at 90 or 100. Then there are those that die at 30 40 and 20. You will fall in there somewhere. Be healthy, you are not living to impress anyone but yourself.
Your husband is happy? Check.
You are healthy? Check.
Life is good? Check ( By that I mean you are not obsessing over 100 calories you put in your mouth, it means you enjoyed, lived and were happy).
Life is short. Check
Look, you are not your body. You inhabit your body. Your spirit, your life force is in your body, but you are not your body.
Love, live, laugh, cry, share and just be happy. Stop obsessing, stop worrying, stop measuring.
Love life, it doesn't last as long as you think.