Friday, January 27

Things I Know - Body Image

Hello and welcome to this week's installment of one of my most favourite linky's ever.  As one of the very first memes that I participated in TIK will always hold a special place in my heart.  Especially since they are some of my most read posts.  Incase you are wondering where to find out more about this wonderous meme head over to






I actually started writing this post two weeks ago.  It came about after reading this post by Jess over at Diary of a SAHM.  It truly left me speechless for many different reasons.  I tried leaving a comment on the post but knew there was much more I needed wanted to say.  Which was great.  With the impending holiday being able to write a post well in advance and then scheduled to post automatically was like a dream come true.

Anyway, we all know about the best laid plans...

The post never got finished, which in this case actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  In fact I do believe the universe was actually telling me to just wait and see what was round the corner

You know Jess, yes the one I mentioned earlier, well she sent me an email telling me about a challenge that she was throwing out to the blogosphere at large.  One that I was only too happy to take part in.  Better yet a whole heap of other super cool blogging chicks also joined in and as such this awesome video was created. 

Click here to read more about the Your Worth it Challenge

Body Image is a  topic full of discussion that constantly gets tongues talking.  Everything about it seems to make my head spin.  I find all the different view points over whelming, especially the ones where beautiful people can't see what others can.  The horrible way one's mind distorts things, sends shivers through my spine.

Appearance is a funny thing.  Open to so much interpretation and easily taken the wrong way.  In many ways I know it is not something I give much thought to but at the same time I know that I am guilty at times of judging wrongly purely on appearance.  When I think of how I must appear at times the shivers turn to a shudder.

As I am sitting here trying to type out this post I am crunching on some corn chips and sipping an icy cold cola infused beverage.  I had baked potato and baked beans, covered in cheese and butter.  Yep butter.  Lots of it.  What I am trying to say is that I like my food and I enjoy eating it.  I am one of those everything in moderation gals and it all seems to work out ok.  (hhhhmmmmm I am wondering if perhaps moderation is the right word, extreme moderation doesn't quite sound right either) 

So what if my BMI says I am on the obese side of the scale?  I say that BMI is a load of crap.  Yes 75kg might be heavy for a girl my height (162cm) but it ain't the end of the world.  

Actually I can recall a conversation I had with a colleague (yep there was actually a point in time when I worked for a living) many years ago.  I had said my ideal weight was 80kg.  I felt that at that weight I would be tall and strong.  Only height is harder to gain when you reach a certain age.  Turns out it wasn't as great as I expected.  Which my colleague (who at the time I called a friend) had predicted.

The thing is though I am not overly dissatisfied either.  I don't want to be a bikini model.  I mean sure it would be nice but really? On a regular basis, having eyes just constantly beat down upon you.  A steadfast gaze as they critically anyalse every curve, bump and sleek slender line.  I didwould find it a bit overwhelming at times.  Imagine the work it takes to not just create but maintain one of those bodies that would more aptly be called a machine.  Too much effort for this little black duck.

Having said that though I don't want to be a fat blump either.  I want to be muscular and strong.  I currently settle for somewhere in between but hope to change that very soon.  I think that the effort and results levels are even.  You can't ask for more than that.  Well you can actually, and I am about to.

I know I need to change the way I think about my body.  I don't see the point in getting all sad about the shape of my body, it is after all in my hands.  Which is great but it doesn't motivate me to do anything about it.  If I want to do something about it I have the means to do so.  I know that.  But for some reason it is easier not to try. If I don't set expectations.  I won't get let down.  Or at least that is what the old me thought.

I find it hard to motivate myself to do anything about what some might call my excess weight.  Well at least I did.  I mean I am not finding it easy as such, but it certainly is getting easier to motivate myself for a whole range of activities.  I am changing the way I think, about a lot of things.  I am trying to make things matter.  I know I am one of those things that needs to matter more often.  

But I digress, I promised to share what I know about body image.

I know that I would rather buy a small mens rather than size 16 ladies.
I know I was seriously deluded to think that a size 10 rashie would fit me.  I'm kinda cross the shop assistant wasn't slightly more forthcoming with that kind of info, but I guess it is not the easiest thing to break to someone.
I know that while I may have been a bit more active of late I need to not kid myself in what actually needs to be done.
I know that when I think of what I want my body to look like in the future the answer is strong.
I know that as the mother to three girls the whole concept of body image scares me like you wouldn't believe.
I know I would rather think about being strong and powerful than thin and beautiful.  
I know that the media has created a warped perception of body images and beauty.
I know beauty is within as all if only we look.


Oh yeah and cause it's Friday and this post is awesome I am going to flog it

FYBF

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