Body Image
Recently I was chatting with someone who was so obsessed with her body image — negatively! She was bringing me down so thought I’d share the info here that I shared with her…
America and Western Europe have a ridiculous and harmful preoccupation with body image and an obsession with slimness. A hundred years ago a plump woman was considered the more attractive, as was a portly man. Today the tables have been turned and frankly, the attitudes one hundred years ago were realistic and much healthier mentally and physically.
Always keep in mind that we come in all different shapes and sizes. Don’t focus on a stick thin model as what you think you should look like. More often than not these people are not healthy and may very well suffer consequences later in life due to starving themselves just to fit the acceptable ideal. You should look like no one but you.
Check out the article, Coming to Terms with Your Body Shape if you see yourself in a bad light.
Next, go look in the mirror and no matter your size or flaws, LIKE WHAT YOU SEE!! You’re so incredibly and uniquely YOU and that is reason to celebrate. 
July 30th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Even as a personal trainer this is something I deal with personally daily. I believe in working out for your health. Yes, losing weight is needed for health benefits, but it shouldn’t be the only focus since the general public’s ideal is not maintainable.
But I do hear from plenty of people that they are surprised when they meet me. Ideally I still need to lose 20 pounds. They expect me to be stick thin and no body fat. But when they say it, I still have to stop a second and not take it personally. Society has really done some damage with the weight issue and even though I know I’m healthy, I have body image issues.
My motto is why live to be 90 if you aren’t going to enjoy it!