I feel like this month is a great time to talk about body image. We are going into swimsuit season, short season, AKA the season where women start to feel their most self-conscious. For me, this is the season I always dreaded in the past. Having to be outside in a swimsuit or even worse….shorts! UGH! I have spent the better part of my 37 years in a battle with my body. After being diagnosed very young with body dysmorphia it’s been a constant battle. That’s why I wanted this month’s monthly wellness series to be about body image.
Monthly Wellness Series Month Six: Body Image
Why I think it’s important:
Body image is something I think everyone struggles with at least a little. But it’s important especially as a mother that I love my body. My kids are watching everything I do and say. I started way too young worrying about numbers and my body and I do not want my kids to have that. Instead, I give them foods that are WHOLE GOOD FOODS, I make sure they get plenty of outdoor playtime, and I compliment things other than their looks and appearance. If we all did that I wonder if the issue of body image would cease to exist? It’s also important for my mental health! It’s important for all of our mental health to have a healthy relationship with our body and body image. I love this article for body positivity and kids!
What I do:
I am not perfect at body image and body positivity at all. In fact, I struggle more often than I care to admit. One thing I try to remember is the scale is not the whole story. The scale doesn’t know how much muscle I have, or what time of the month it is. The scale is not going to decide my happiness every day. I also DO NOT look at scales at the Dr office. I started that while pregnant with Charlotte. It was way too depressing! I try to go more on how I feel and how my clothes fit vs a number. I also cut tags out of clothes when I start to worry about the number on a tag too much!
This month’s challenge:
DO NOT WEIGH YOURSELF! Just go the entire month listening to your body, eating foods that make you feel good, doing exercises that make you feel good, and wearing clothes that make you feel good. I am also going to do this too!
What are your feelings on body image?
Body positivity is so so important! The scale is such a liar too lol. I love how you note that our weight can fluctuate due to so many factors like hormones, water weight, etc. I think it’s awesome that you are so conscious of what you’re teaching your kids. The earlier these foundations start – the better!!
I’ve been saying the same for a while. It’s not about the number on the scale or clothing but how I feel. After having two children and being a food photographer (meaning a LOT of both healthy and unhealthy foods), I feel pretty good. I also try to make sure I compliment my boys on more than their looks/body and remind them about their strengths as a person.
Great post. I’m trying to set a good example to my daughter in terms of body image to counteract all the unrealistic images she is bombarded with on social media…
Ha! I stopped weighing myself long ago, and I definitely let the mirror do the talking. Great point!
I really hate weighing myself because I am really sad about my weight. I am actually a big-boned woman and even if I diet and exerise, the weight just stays.
Aside from doctor visits (that are few and far between), I haven’t weighed myself in probably… 6 years? I just can’t handle it. It just doesn’t bode well for me as someone with a disordered eating past and body dysmorphia present. But I still don’t enjoy wearing shorts and avoid them and strappy tops at all costs during the summer. I’d rather just feel comfortable in what I’m wearing than force myself to “be okay” with something I’m not comfortable with for the sake of acting like I appreciate my body more than I do, if that makes sense? It’s a tough season!
I don’t own a scale and have no idea what I weigh. I go by how I feel and look in my clothes. Scales can be very bad for a lot of people as they don’t give anything more than specific numbers.
Definitely an issue I constantly have to fight. I try not to care too much about my body image, but sometimes is truly hard. Especially because of social media.
Body positivity is so important and I love what you say about how the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story. So true – it’s something I have to constantly remind myself as well!
I am not perfect at body image and body positivity at all. In fact, I struggle more often than I care to admit. One thing I try to remember is the scale is not the whole story. The scale doesn’t know how much muscle I have, or what time of the month it is. The scale is not going to decide my happiness every day. I also DO NOT look at scales at the Dr office. I started that while pregnant with Charlotte. It was way too depressing! I try to go more on how I feel and how my clothes fit vs a number. I also cut tags out of clothes when I start to worry about the number on a tag too much!