Comments on: Body Image: It Affects Everyone

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:10:16 +0000

I’ll chime in here with a little male perspective. Rest assured that distorted self body image (aka “body dysmorphic syndrome”) is not a plague upon ladies alone. I’ll use myself as an example, since I happen to be sitting alone in the room right now. When I was a young lad in High-school I played football every season and had the honor of being in the un-glorified position of lineman. Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with football terminology; please allow me to translate. A lineman is the meat-shield who stands between the quarterback and the ENTIRE defensive team. Your job, as far as I could figure it out, is to protect the quarterback’s pretty face as long as possible so he wouldn’t be late for his date with a cheerleader after the game. That, and if you were lucky enough to be included in team functions, pick up the tab for pizza when all the “cooler positions” went out together. Seeing how self-preservation ranked high on my list of things to do in the home-coming game, and I was facing equally frustrated defensive lineman who’s only chance of glory (and corresponding date with a cheerleader) was to go through ME and sack the quarterback, it is no surprise that I began to implement laws of physics (specifically inertia) and topped the scales at 275 in Highschool. I remember observing in the mirror one day Junior year and *loathing* how I look. That was the point of departure, the no going back self-image critique. Over the course of the next several years, I lost approximately a hundred pounds (heck.. the quarterback can take care of himself for all I cared…) and became practically unrecognizable at our periodic Highschool reunions. But looking into the mirror today..? It’s difficult to escape that initial self critique and see myself as anything but “too fat”. Certainly I am close to the most fit I have ever been in my adult life, and I could easily run embarrassing circles around my huffing ‘n puffing Highschool persona, however once you view yourself negatively in the mirror – it almost never leaves you. It’s quite ironic that in a U.S. epidemic of obesity, it is much easier to get rid of the fat on the body, than the fat in the mind…

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:46:05 +0000

Oh, the body image… not so good. I struggled with bulimia for ten years and I still have occasional episodes–mostly when body image flares up, but occasionally from stress. When I have a bad day, I still say “I feel fat” instead of “I feel sad” or frustrated or tired or angry or whatever. It always comes down to fat.

The masectomy thing didn’t help. Now I’m convinced that my chest isn’t up to par, which has cramped my sex life and frustrates my husband. The whole thing is really hard to deal with.

Grrr… body image!

By: Surfergrrl

Surfergrrl — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:05:29 +0000

very good post! I feel thankful that I have a pretty healthy body image. To me I don’t equate beauty with skinny, I equate beauty with confidence. So I know, the more confident I feel about anything about myself (whether that be beauty, brains, talent, sense of humor), the more beautiful I will appear to others. Not that it works 100% of the time. There are times where I feel “heavier” whether I gained a pound or not. To me this just means I’m not putting my best foot forward in making healthy decision. (like one too many pasta dinners a week). Or when you have PMS bloating or something. I really do feel bad for women who have such a struggle.

but one thing i do have to say, the media is so f’n full of hypocrisy. Take Tyra Banks. On one hand she promotes self-love no matter what size, bla bla bla. On the other hand she does one whole show where she proclaims she is NOT fat like those pictures show…but hey, it’s ok to be fat. ugh! even i have my moments, like reading Self magazine and I wonder that no matter how hard I work out, there is no way I’m wearing those tiny little shorts that the girls on the cover are wearing. Seriously, not an ounce of cellulite. How is that possible? ha ha. But I usually come to my senses pretty quickly.

I think maybe as you get older (I’m 37) you start to appreciate that your body can do amazing things at any age if you just put effort into it. I’m SO thankful for my health. My brother got colon cancer at 36 so I really feel lucky to be able to do the things I can do. So what’s a little flabby tummy? big deal!

By: MizFit

MizFit — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:39:44 +0000

fantastic and comprehensive post.

(and Ill spare you my .02 as I fear it would turn into $2.00 :))

My question for you: will you try and keep your own children–should you have them–on a popculture free diet?