There are No Bad Bodies

ALL BODIES ARE GOOD BODIES.

There are no bad bodies. The concept of “bad bodies” is a conspiracy.

On average, women see over 400 advertisements a day with glamorized images of what they should look like.

You know what all those images have in common?

They are selling something. Make up, a gym membership, clothes, hair products, restaurants, diet plans, razors, plastic surgery, etc.

There is a reason this ideal exists. It’s to make money. There is a reason that thin has been so culturally accepted as the way to have a “good” body. There is a reason that the beauty ideal - thin frame, even round breasts, long legs, smooth skin, long sleek hair, perfect complexion, made up, and wearing a certain style of clothing - exist for a reason.

The reason, is that if corporations can manage to convince women that they aren’t beautiful the way they are, they can convince them that they need certain things to make them beautiful.

Like diet pills and diet food and a gym membership and make up and cover up and nail polish and spanx and fancy clothes and more and more and more.

It is a conspiracy to make money.

And it’s one of the most successful conspiracies in the world.

You know what else those ads all have in common? They show those women as being happy and successful; having friends, going to parties, having men desiring them, being confident, smooth, and popular. This had led to an abundance of women who deeply believe, consciously or not, that the only way to achieve happiness, is to achieve a certain aesthetic.

It’s not just the media. because this has been so widely spread, and accepted, you hear it everywhere. from your peers, your parents, your teachers, even strangers.

IT’S. NOT. TRUE.

Bodies have become such a taboo, and such a subject of shame for most women, that girls don’t grow up seeing real women’s bodies. Not represented by the media, and not even represented by the women in their lives. I think it’s pretty rare for a girl to grow up seeing all different shapes and sizes of women being represented proudly, and not in the context of “look how disgusting this part of me is.”

So who do they look to, to try to understand what women should look like?

Magazines, TV commercials, etc etc.

So they think that’s what all people should look like. So of COURSE they feel like something is wrong with them. Of course they do.

But there isn’t. There is nothing wrong with you.

The part of your body that you think is just *wrong*, and *deformed*, and *hideous.* Why? Your body is built exactly the way it’s meant to be. It’s your body. And anybody who tries to tell you there is something inherently bad about it is brainwashed.

There are no bad bodies. There are only bodies that are well taken care of, and bodies that are not. If you eat food that makes you feel good, and do things that make your body feel good, then your body will find the weight, the size, and the shape that is best for it.

That might be 90 pounds. 120 pounds. 180 pounds. 250 pounds. More or less. Anything.

So maybe, next time you’re sitting there just thinking about how fat, and ugly, and wrong you are, take a second to ask yourself, why do I think that?

The reason is, because you have been programmed to think that. You have grown up in a toxic environment, where that concept - the concept of good and bad bodies - is everywhere. And just knowing that won’t make those thoughts go away, but maybe, it will give you more perspective. Maybe then you can step back, and say, “okay. this isn’t real. This is actually complete and utter f*cking bullsh*t.”

Your body is a good body.

Your body is the perfect body.

Article courtesy of www.theplumpinay.com

Full Figured, Fabulous & Dating Part 2: What to Wear

Nothing is more annoying than tearing my closet apart looking for the perfect outfit. Whether it's going to work or hanging out with friends, I end up with a major clean up on isle 6 in my room. When it comes to dating you have to be very particular and careful about what you wear.

The first thing to consider when looking for your prefect outfit is where are you going. Dressing for the occasion is a must. How embarrassing is it to be dressed down or to formal for a date that is completely the opposite. I remember watching a reality show and the guy asked the girl to hang out. She misinterpreted it as it being a date and showed up dressed to the nines. He on the other hand had on jeans and a flannel shirt....SMH. So before you pull out your ball gown understand what type of date are you going on.

The next thing is dress comfortably. Regardless of where your date is make sure you are comfortable. If you have to put on 4 spanx, the outfit is not for you. You should not get light headed and be about to pass out because you have been holding your breathe since 8 o'clock. On the chance you do want to add things like breast/butt enhancers or spanx, make sure they are secured and appropriately covered. For the women with large breast keep an eye on button up tops. Make sure they are not struggling to stay closed. For women with larger butts should make sure your pants are not showing any crack. Also the length of your dress should not end at your private area.

Speaking about private areas the most important thing is dressing appropriate in general. It is ok to have a top that shows a bit of cleavage but if your nipple is about to pop out DO NOT wear that top. You should also make sure your butt or underwear is not showing when wearing a dress, skirt, or shorts. You want to look your best, but most importantly you want to be respected and treated like the queen you are. Now I know that men will treat women however they feel but It is known that how you dress can lead to being treated a way you will not like. Your confidence should be the sexiest thing you wear so leave the club attire for the club.

It is important to dress the way you feel most comfortable but remember just because it was made in your size does not mean it looks good on you. Choose your outfit wisely because first impressions are everything. Ask yourself what statement are your trying to make???


***Stay tuned for Full Figured, Fabulous & Dating Part 3: Great Places for Dates next Friday***

Look of The Week

Spring is finally here. Time to pull out those skirts and short sleeve tops. For those who also had snow, you can now pull out your favorite shoes for the warmer weather. Unfortunately it is still snowing here in Central New York so I can't bring out everything just yet. Hopefully I can soon.

For the nicer weather a couple things I love are 1. pencil skirts and 2. peplum tops, so why not put a look together including both. Something many woman are scared to do is mix prints, but that's ok. Mixing and matching a variety of prints is definitely in this season. It gives a more edgy and fun look. That was my inspiration for the Look of The Week. I hope you love it like I do.

Checkerboard Print Pencil Skirt from Asos Curve at $29.93
A.N.A. Floral Half Zip Peplum Top from JCPenney at $18.00
Classic Love Blue Pumps from LolaShoetique at $22.99

FAT...The Angry Description

I was talking with someone a few days ago. She was very upset with someone else and was venting. Now while she was explaining to me why this person made her upset she included the description of her being fat. I understand when people are upset they can say things that could be hurtful. Although that person was not around to hear that, it still made me think.

Usually when you are in a happy/joyful mood you usually would not include fat in the description of someone. What makes us use negative words when we are angry? Calling another person fat is the ultimate hit below the belt. Specially if it is said to someone very insecure about their weight. I can remember growing up and the word fat was enough to make me cry. After many years I became desensitized to it. If I was to be called fat now I would tell them to think of something more clever.

When you are called fat that's usually the only thing they can think of to hurt you. I'm not saying that that person said it to deliberately hurt the other, but it is a word said out of anger. Being angry is followed by negativity. We must understand that calling someone else fat out of anger proves and shows nothing more than what we already see and know. We also must know that to be called fat is something that should be taken lightly. You already know your weight so they didn't say anything to you that you didn't already know. Being called FAT should not be your confidence and self-esteem kyrptonite.

In the world we live in today you have to build tough skin. If being called fat is the worst thing someone can call you then you are in for a rude awakening. When you show people being called fat will not make or break you, they will eventually stop calling you that. Take a stand for yourself and your body. Turn that negative word into a happy one.

Have a FAT and HAPPY day Loves ;)

Loving Your Body Even When You Don't

I love this article by yoga teacher Bethany Eanes, “I Love Yoga, But It Didn’t Help Me Love My Body.” I think that she expresses a common experience of those who are “supposed” to love their bodies–sometimes we don’t. Sometimes, we just aren’t feeling that great about your body. And because we are advocating body love, the subsequent feeling is guilt–feeling guilty for not feeling body love.


Here’s an excerpt from the article that I think captures this issue perfectly:

Here’s the good news: If you don’t fully embrace your body, you are not a failure. You are normal. Body image is extremely complicated on a psychological, emotional and very personal level. There are factors at play every day that can make you feel great in your body or, especially as a woman and especially on certain days of the month, really terrible in your body.

I have practiced yoga for many years now, and I truly live my practice. I meditate. I eat vegetarian. I’m even sober. I go to bed early and wake up before sunrise. I try to breathe deeply into life’s challenges. I aim to live a simple life. But, I still struggle with body image. I still have days when I want to lose weight, even if I rationally realize I don’t need to. And here, friends, is where yoga actually helps.

 

The tendency to struggle with body image is going to happen. The tendency to act on this struggle can be avoided. I may feel fat, ugly, bloated or ready to scream at the scale. But, thankfully, I don’t take the next step. I don’t crash diet. I don’t stop eating carbs for three weeks. I don’t throw up my dinner. (If these are issues you struggle with, my heart goes out to you, and I hope you find a resource for help.)

I echo Bethany’s sentiment here: we defeat the purpose of self-acceptance if we beat ourselves for those times we lack it. We are all works in progress, and a little self-forgiveness goes a long way.

--------------

Everyone has bad days when it comes to loving or even liking there body. It is a day to day process and can be harder for some than others. Don't feel discouraged if you wake up one day and is not happy with the way you look. What we must do is continue to work on ourselves inside and out to gain that love we need.

Article courtesy of www.curvylife.com