Happy Thanks-living! I'm Exposed: Feeding the Body Gratitude

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by slam Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:41am PST

  This is really wonderful. We should love our bodies. Unfortunately, as women I think we receive so many mixed messages about who we are supposed to be and what we should look like. Loathing ourselves for not meeting some ideal. And we get these bad feelings often from the women in our lives. When I was going through puberty, a friend's mom said "looks like your on the itty-bitty-titty committee". Devastating. This has made me self-conscious my whole life about my small breasts (no boob job for me though). At least posts like this are a step in the right direction.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Stephanie Quilao Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:04pm PST

  I have triplet nieces who are 4 years old now, and as their auntie I want to give them as MUCH positive reinforcement as possible about loving their bodies as is. That they are beautiful humans no matter what the media and our beauty/youth obsessed society tries to make us feel less than so we buy products and services.

  You're right slam in that we and others should be more conscious of what we say because whether we realize it or not words carry power, and we never know how much what we say could affect another person.

  I remember my dad telling me when I was 19, I wasn't good looking enough to go into TV. That stuck with me for ya decade, and made me so self conscious about being in front of a video camera. When I brought that up, he of course didn't remember ever saying that. He didn't intend for it to hurt me, but his words stuck with me for a very long time.

  I've let that whole thing go now but it's a perfect example of how words can live on in someone for years. Best to strive for positive, uplifting words!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by krmorr Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:29pm PST

  Umm...not sure how I feel about the post. Wonder if you would have done it if you were less attractive and were 20 pounds overweight. It is easy to love yourself if you still look good in skinny jeans. Seems a little self-congratulating to me.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by gaileta Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:36am PST

  Great post! Words do stick with you forever, but at 30, I'm finally learning to drown out those harmful words with positive ones!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by That Girl! Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:59am PST

  I totally agree with you krmorr.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by cwwl Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:54am PST

  krmorr, you're missing the point. Skinny girls have body image issues too - they are called anorexics. It's all about learning to be comfortable with your body, no matter what your size.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Shelby Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:10am PST

  Not all skinny girls are anorexics thanks, but we do have body image issues too. Like I have a bit of cellulite and a small tummy pooch. No one notices but me, but I'm still bothered because no matter how much I hit the gym or how well I eat its still there. I'm a size 5 and definitely not an anorexic. Body image issues affect all women. Growing up my stepmom called me fat--back when I was a 0. That still sticks with me.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Ashton Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:12am PST

  Someone I know, whom I have had very much respect for is undergoing breast augmentation on December 23. When I found this out over Thanksgiving I was absolutely appalled and disgusted by this person's decision. I just feel as if she is giving into society's definition of what a woman should look like. I feel like she should learn to be comfortable in her own skin and with the breasts Mother Nature gave her, rather than filling them with silicone. She has 3 impressionable daughters and I worry what they will think of their own bodies when they see their mommy altering hers. Everyone around me says that she is an adult and can do what she pleases. I do agree with that statement but I feel that this angers me so much because it is a representation of what is wrong with society and the way we view ourselves as women and what women should look like.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Tina Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:24am PST

  I AGREE WITH KRMORR... if you had 20-30 pounds of fat, and cellulite on your thighs....would you be quick to post such a boosting article?

  it's so simple for thin people to say uplifting things, and post self assuring blogs, but in reality...we never see a 220lb woman writing an article about how much she loves her body the way it is. i am a 220lb woman...and never imagined i would be this fat and grotesque. life happens to the best of us.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by SILENT KNIGHT Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:28am PST

  I like this post because I feel the same way about my own body. I feel very blessed and highly favored when I see myself naked in the mirror or in my Womans reactions to the sight of my body. I love to look at her with nothing else to hide and appreciate every wonderful well shapened curve upon her gentle tenderness. To feel so open and be so free is incredible at times when you see the greatness and the beauty of it all. I wouldn't suggest being so open with the whole world like this, but I do understand why someone filled with so much love, power, beauty and passion would.

  Report Abuse