I recently done a post a while ago talking about the The Media and how it can affect body image. I thought I’d do a follow up post to remind us all that our bodies are fine the way they are.
Here’s the link to the post – The Media & Body Image
On a daily basis, we are being bombarded with images that do not resemble what people look like in real life. Everything is constructed in a matter to drive sales, so people can be constantly chasing things that are unattainable naturally. In reference to the female body, there will be imperfections and flaws but in society, it may be harder to accept them without social media and the internet constantly making us believe there is one ‘ideal’ body frame. We’ve all got curves and edges, some more than others but we still have them. It doesn’t make you any less of a person, you are still valid.
However, focus on the reasons for your change and analyse which methods would suit you best to re-construct a positive change in your self image. Whether it’s going gym (maybe ask a personal trainer for advice/assistance) , watching what you eat, following accounts that encourage you to feel great about yourself. Write down what you like about yourself or stand in the mirror and feel your body, which you can the chance. Just allow your hands to flow all over and see that is all of you. It could even be picking out clothes that you feel comfortable in or that allows you to appreciate your body in a good way. I’m not here to promote excessive self-love but rather to aid a healthier self image to balance all other areas of your life.
I was chubby growing up, I didn’t even mind so much but you get to a stage where you become much more aware of yourself and it might make you become self-conscious thinking you need to change. I think this time comes during your teen to late teens. I know I’ll never be stick thin but I’ve learnt to manage and maintain my weight as it is.
It is about letting yourself be and knowing you already have pre-determined bone structure. Look into the different body types and identify with your shape. You could be big boned, smaller boned, but everyone is different. For example, depending on your bone structure, that will affect how muscle and fat is disposed around your body. There is much more to it than what meets the eye🙇🏾♀️👁
A concept of thought..💡💬 The post isn’t directed at celebrities but I’d like to use them as an example in this paragraph. I’ve come across many articles that celebrities complain about their weight or the way they are spoken about in magazine. Later, reinforced on social media on various accounts. I understand they’ve put themselves in a position to be in front of the public eye, but that doesn’t excuse the fact they aren’t normal human beings who should be treated with respect like anyone else.
We’ve come to a time, where it’s very easy to criticise something or someone from behind a phone or computer screen. People are seen doing this through comments or tweets on social media. They are unable to feel the consequences of their actions, which impacts someone else. It’s clearly ignorant behaviour, which shouldn’t be tolerated. There are tough decisions to be made by you either ignore such comments or letting it affect you on a deeper level.
I know it’s not easy because negative comments stick more than positive ones. It is less likely to bother you as much, when you start to accept your body for what it is and understand how to make reasonable improvements in your life. This helps your self-acceptance which will hopefully increase well-rounded health. Sometimes it is the image or goal we have in our heads that disconnect us from what we can do or is going on now.
One other point to think about: Do you think men have face similar issues about ‘ideals’ towards their body shape/weight?
I hope you can walk away from this post with a better and clearer view of yourself and not a medialised version. Concentrate on the now and your stepping stones from today. You never know where you could be in a years’ time..
Note: baby steps, baby steps, small steps amount to bigger steps. 
All images source from Google.
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