As a psychologist, I am painfully aware of the statistics about women and their dissatisfaction with their bodies. Glamour magazine did a survey a few years back. Fully 75% of women surveyed believed they were too fat, with at least 60% being unhappy with or ashamed of the real body trouble zones: hips, thighs, and stomach. Sure, we all know that our culture, particularly the fashion industry, reinforces this locked-in pattern with airbrushing and wafer-thin models. I was pleased recently to see that Israel has banned the use of ultra-skinny models.
This is small progress women need, whatever the age. But the biggest, most inspiring, “who knew?” surprise on the body image front is this week’s interview with Christiane Northrup, MD, by Jean Fain, LICSW, MSW, on Huffington Post. Dr. Northrup is the foremost champion for women’s health, challenging women to seize control of their own bodies. And, gasp, she reveals that she didn’t come to truly accept and love her body until she was 55! Who says it’s an easy battle to overcome the deeply-ingrained biases and inaccurate body image perceptions that plague women? Dr. Northrup’s admission of this challenge is incredible validation for all women. Look how powerful the cultural forces are! None of us are immune. Even highly-educated experts are real people!
Thank you, Dr. Northrup and Ms. Fain. Midlife is not too late to overcome these shoulds in our heads–or our mirrors. At any age, we can embrace the power and beauty of our bodies, loving any shape or form. Size really just is a random number! We need not be Twiggy-skinny (on another note, just like Kim France, I’m glad to write for a place where we all get that reference!) to feel good about the skin we’re in.
What has helped you to accept and love your body? Has it gotten easier with time, simply because the expectations are more realistic and you no longer use the supermodel template? Has the strength you’ve gained with maturity generalized to body love? Share your strategies here, and let’s join with Dr. Northrup in honesty on this touchy topic.
Use my what? where? and the reason is because I "should" have a man. Pray tell at what point does that become pointless? I suggest it is shortly after age 58 when invisibility begins to set in. So I could learn to use my what? when? and for
Hello!
I read each one of the responses before writing and in each one you counter the writer with why you are staying in this situation. When you left, did you think about what kind of life you were going to build for yourself? Because after the ini
Yes, 55 is not too late to love yourself and embrace your curves. In the 70s, there was a saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Truer words were never spoken.
Ulla Popken is a plus size fashion retailer that is all about this message. It’s great to know someone in the fashion industry gets it.
Thanks!
Ann, I’m only just reading this post and love it! This is the one I wrote on loving my body! Perhaps you’ve seen it?!!
I Love My Body.
Enjoying it here at Vibrant Nation too but don’t get the Kim France reference…cultural difference maybe!!? We both know who Twiggy is though!