In This Skin
I know I’ve mentioned the show before, but I think “How to Look Good Naked” should win an emmy. It is amazing how women’s perspectives about themselves are so skewed. And these women always look AWESOME at the end of the show. I was also watching “What Not to Wear” on TLC and am seeing how women hide in their clothes rather than finding things that look great on them, at the weight they are at.
I have lost about 15 pounds, and I’m certainly glad I have. I needed to. And I’d still like to lose 5-10 more. However, I’ve also started to realize that while you are working on “losing”, you really do have to accept yourself as you are at THIS MOMENT. Yes, in 20 pounds, you’ll look even better, but you aren’t there yet. Why wait in limbo, wearing crappy, oversized, unflattering clothing and punish yourself until you get there???? Ladies, it is time for us to look in the mirror and say “this is what I have to work with. I am going to make it look good.” This life is only as good as you make it. If you keep beating yourself up, your life for as long as you will remember will be about feeling bad about yourself, instead of enjoying the life you’ve been blessed with.
I believe it’s time for a body acceptance revolution. I don’t mean we should be happy about being overweight and give up completely, but I do think that while we are works in progress (and we really always are, even when we achieve a weight loss goal) we need to be works that look good and feel good about themselves. Before you can change how you look, you need to change what you think about yourself and your self-worth. I really have learned that you won’t lose until you believe there is something underneath worth revealing.
So right now, go stand in front of the mirror. You don’t have to be naked, just go look. Now, the first things you are going to see are things you hate. Look BEYOND that. Find just one thing that looks good- no wrinkles, great eyes, healthy hair, full lips, great breasts etc. Think about that one thing that looks good ALL DAY LONG. Do not allow your thoughts to travel to other things that don’t, just try to focus on that one thing. I wonder if it will make you feel a little more confident today. It can’t hurt.
I’ve been loving that show, too. Especially the part where they show the women how off-kilter their own image of themselves has become. Such a great show.
I’m a “What not to Wear” closet junkie! Some of those (actually, all of those) women come out looking fabulous. Emphasize the possitive, de-emphasize the negative & learn that you can look spectacular the way you look right now.
Too many of us do have a distorted image of how we look & don’t really realize that we are beautiful women!
Never seen the show, not for lack of trying, but I agree with you. I used to be one of those people “Why bother to put on makeup, I’m so fat it doesn’t matter” etc. While I’m still on the “No more new clothes until I hit goal”, I still buy consignment store clothes, half of which used to be new. I’ve started feeling better about myself, despite being 40lbs from goal. I’ve started wearing makeup again, wearing my earrings, wearing my nice clothes (hey, no one else knows they’re used!) and darn it, I feel good. I still want to lose weight, but I know part of my mental well being is in me loving myself whether I’m 300 lbs or 150. Thanks for the great post!! You are one of my heros!
I agree totally!! I know my vision of myself is sooo skewed!
I stare at my belly, my love handles, my thighs. It’s so hard not to stare… and hate them! I am working on my body image and I thank you for your post! It is great, great post.
Congratulations on your weight loss! That is so awesome.
I should send you a pic of e in my ‘unflattering” cargos and standardt shirt- we should have a group show—lol
“I believe it’s time for a body acceptance revolution. I don’t mean we should be happy about being overweight and give up completely, but I do think that while we are works in progress (and we really always are, even when we achieve a weight loss goal) we need to be works that look good and feel good about themselves. Before you can change how you look, you need to change what you think about yourself and your self-worth. I really have learned that you won’t lose until you believe there is something underneath worth revealing.”
You are VERY WISE!!!!
I don’t think body acceptance is the same thing as giving in to being overweight either. And I agree that self esteem is deeply wrapped up with weight for most of us…
I too notice a difference in how I see myself when I take the effort to add a bit of jewelery, color and makeup…
I tried I really did, but I think I went blind