Small Steps to Health

Developing a Sense of Body Image

July 1st, 2008 by asithi · No Comments

Tagged Body Image, Body Image

Weight used to be a much less important issue. Fat used to be a normal part of body composition. A century ago, a woman’s belly can never be too round. Now, it cannot be too flat. I blame most of it on the media. But I also blame some of it on ourselves for allowing this to happen. Below is a funny video about being fat, but  it hits pretty close to home for some of us (I need to stop buying clothes that are too small).

A Fat Rant

We need a new way of thinking about fat and self acceptance that is not related to the number on the scale.

The current way of thinking	The new way of thinking
Fat is bad.	Fat is just another way of being.
Large people are lazy.	Large people are just as active (or inactive) as thinner people.
Fat is unhealthy.	Any weight can be unhealthy. There are thin fat people who are unhealthy too.
Weight can be controlled.	Weight gained by dieting and overeating can be controlled.
Large people overeat.	There is no significant difference in what people eat at various weights.
The goal is weight loss.	The goal is optimal health and self acceptance.
Dieting leads to weight loss.	Dieting is a starvation state that leads to weight gain!
Fat is unattractive.	Beauty is learned. It is based upon society’s expectation of beauty.

There are many other words to describe our bodies that is not related to weight. Words such as:

healthy	capable	sexy
strong	poised	graceful
coordinated	balanced	agile
dependable	flexible	cuddly
quick	soft	muscular
fit	mobile	commanding
curvaceous	playful	sensual

And when we are carrying babies, our bodies are a miracle. What words do you use to describe your body that is not weight related?

Next time you have an internal dialogues with yourself, whether you are looking in the mirror or walking into a party, visualize a STOP sign and follow through with the a more positive (or at least a neutral) analysis such as:

I’ve gained some weight, but I am not out of control. I am (insert age) year old woman whose body is in complete control.

I will get some of this weight off because I have started my life long exercise and healthy eating program. I have taken the first step, which is the hardest step.

I can go out looking like this. This is my body. It is the only one I got. What else am I going to do - hide inside my house for the rest of my life?

The world does not revolve around my weight losses or gains. The only people that will talk about it are the people that do not have anything more important to talk about.

Take command of the space you take up - look at Aretha Franklin. Her figure is larger than society’s ideal, but she carries herself proudly and her presence cannot be missed. It’s her confidence and her R-E-S-P-E-C-T for her body that makes heads turn. Learn to accept your larger than ideal happy weight and hopefully someday let the ideal go.

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Related Posts:

• Differences Between the Fat Cells in Women and Men
• Exercise is Not an Excuse to Eat More
• Women’s Hormonal Phases - Your Teens Through Your Early 20s
• Acknowledge the Impossible and Accept the Reality of Your Body Image
• A Coping Strategy for Emotional Eating

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