"Wow you are so skinny. Don't you eat anything?"
I hear this often. This and an article I wrote yesterday are the inspiration for today's blog post in which I will be talking about body image and body shaming.
What is body shaming? It is publicly criticising someone's weight or size.
Body shaming is common and it manifests in many ways:
Everyday, celebrities are criticized for their appearance. It seems like they can't do anything right. If they are on the bigger side, news reports suggest that they must be overweight or pregnant and if they are thin, they must be starving themselves. It's not just celebrities. So many of us have been criticised and judged by our appearance.
The media plays a part in body shaming. Sometimes make false reports about people based on their looks. Magazines constantly offer tips on how to lose weight "in days," appear slimmer "instantly," and hide our "imperfections." Television shows frequently use overweight characters as the basis of jokes. Magazines often retouch their images of models and celebrities they feature and they don't really have to because those people are already gorgeous to begin with.
Young girls and boys who see all these images in magazines and on television may think that it is only acceptable to be thin and this is how so many people develop eating disorders.
A few celebrities have spoken about body image in different ways.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph's Stella magazine, Helen Mirren praised Kim Kardashian and other famous women for redefining beauty standards for women. This is part of what she said:
"Thanks to Madame Kardashian, We're allwed to have a butt and thighs nowadays. It's very positive. "I love women who have claimed their own bodies: Madonna, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt. They wear what they want to wear and behave as they want to behave."
American Gymnast Shawn Johnson has talked about her body image and the anorexia she had while training for the Olympics and just two days ago, Singer Kesha responded to someone who made a rude comment on a photo she posted of her backside.
We all have flaws and things we dislike about ourselves. I wish I was taller and want to put on more weight. I also think I have a big forehead.
Once while I was in school, our class was asked to write a list of things we like and dislike about ourselves. My 'dislike' list was longer but now I have learnt to be more positive. Now seeing that I'm thin and short, I say yes I'm fun-sized! You know what they say? Good things come in small packages! I don't even like to say the word fat. If I hear someone say that someone is fat, I tell them, "no, they're just a little big."
There is no real 'correct' definition of beautiful. It varies greatly through cultures, generations and social groups. In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you look like, it's what's on the inside that counts.You should not compare yourself to anyone else and nobody should compare you to anyone else. It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, it's about what makes you feel good.
Body confidence does not come from trying to achieve the 'perfect' body. It comes from embracing the one you already have.
I know it can be hard sometimes but believe in yourself and remember that you are beautiful just the way you are. Walk with your head held high and smile! A smile is the most attractive curve on your body.
You are all beautiful. Embrace the body you have and treasure yourself.
I'll leave you now with some celebrity quotes on body image.
I hear this often. This and an article I wrote yesterday are the inspiration for today's blog post in which I will be talking about body image and body shaming.
What is body shaming? It is publicly criticising someone's weight or size.
Body shaming is common and it manifests in many ways:
- Criticising your own appearance through a judgement or comparison to another person. You might say, "I'm so ugly compared to her."
- Criticising another's appearance in front of them. eg. "With those thighs, you're never going to find a date."
- Criticising another's appearance without their knowledge. eg. "Did you see what she's wearing today? Not flattering."
Everyday, celebrities are criticized for their appearance. It seems like they can't do anything right. If they are on the bigger side, news reports suggest that they must be overweight or pregnant and if they are thin, they must be starving themselves. It's not just celebrities. So many of us have been criticised and judged by our appearance.
The media plays a part in body shaming. Sometimes make false reports about people based on their looks. Magazines constantly offer tips on how to lose weight "in days," appear slimmer "instantly," and hide our "imperfections." Television shows frequently use overweight characters as the basis of jokes. Magazines often retouch their images of models and celebrities they feature and they don't really have to because those people are already gorgeous to begin with.
Young girls and boys who see all these images in magazines and on television may think that it is only acceptable to be thin and this is how so many people develop eating disorders.
A few celebrities have spoken about body image in different ways.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph's Stella magazine, Helen Mirren praised Kim Kardashian and other famous women for redefining beauty standards for women. This is part of what she said:
"Thanks to Madame Kardashian, We're allwed to have a butt and thighs nowadays. It's very positive. "I love women who have claimed their own bodies: Madonna, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt. They wear what they want to wear and behave as they want to behave."
American Gymnast Shawn Johnson has talked about her body image and the anorexia she had while training for the Olympics and just two days ago, Singer Kesha responded to someone who made a rude comment on a photo she posted of her backside.
We all have flaws and things we dislike about ourselves. I wish I was taller and want to put on more weight. I also think I have a big forehead.
Once while I was in school, our class was asked to write a list of things we like and dislike about ourselves. My 'dislike' list was longer but now I have learnt to be more positive. Now seeing that I'm thin and short, I say yes I'm fun-sized! You know what they say? Good things come in small packages! I don't even like to say the word fat. If I hear someone say that someone is fat, I tell them, "no, they're just a little big."
There is no real 'correct' definition of beautiful. It varies greatly through cultures, generations and social groups. In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you look like, it's what's on the inside that counts.You should not compare yourself to anyone else and nobody should compare you to anyone else. It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, it's about what makes you feel good.
Body confidence does not come from trying to achieve the 'perfect' body. It comes from embracing the one you already have.
I know it can be hard sometimes but believe in yourself and remember that you are beautiful just the way you are. Walk with your head held high and smile! A smile is the most attractive curve on your body.
You are all beautiful. Embrace the body you have and treasure yourself.
I'll leave you now with some celebrity quotes on body image.
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