When I was listening to the radio today headed downtown, they were discussing a topic on this one radio show that is a BIG issue with women. How happy are we with our bodies is the topic and the issue a lot of us have too. I was shocked to hear when there was a survey done, that 92% of women were unhappy, and 8% were happy with their body.
( source )
I know, I shouldn’t be shocked, especially these days with all the social media and magazines portraying what is a perfect body. We see all these magazines and celebs of women with what they call the “perfect body” or the most beautiful girls in the world. Gosh , the Victoria’s Secret show is even one to make you feel like YOU are not pretty and your body is ugly.
Trust me, I have fallen in this ugly web and I still have days where I am not loving my body. I think as I have gotten older though and especially after going through the lost period, I have come to really be at one with my body. We have become friends and I embrace my flaws like cellulite, dimples, and more. I am just grateful to be ALIVE and HEALTHY.
Who says I do not have the perfect body? There is no such thing.
I feel I do have the perfect body, I am perfectly happy with it. I think that is how it should be.
TRUTH is just being YOU, no matter what, you will always be beautiful if you have a good heart, are kind, and love yourself.
( source )
Measure your happiness with your body by these things, not by your waist!
I just think we should ALL try to love what we got just a little more every day. Yup, going to be shitty days where we hate how our body looks and nothing looks right on us.
I look at my body every day pretty much in the mirror as soon as I get out of the shower, horrible right? I even turn around and stick my tongue out at my butt that I am not too fond of. I know I shouldn’t , but it is just what I have always been used to doing since I was about 20 I would say. I didn’t look at my body or care too much at all about weight or anything when I was younger and in my teens.
I think younger girls are starting to OBSESS over their bodies WAY earlier than I did, it starts way young now. Thank you wonderful society for that.
Just embrace what you have, be lucky to be alive, and know that you are beautiful inside and out. Keep that thought in your head on your down days, think of positive things you do like, and just be happy.
Easier said then done on some days, but maybe even just getting pampered like a manicure, hair cut, blow dry and style, or your make up done could be a good resolution on those days.
Love all of you , just want you to know that we all have our shitty body hating days, but we should let the good outnumber the bad.
Life is too short, just do YOU.
Katie xo
Healthy Diva Asks
Are you shocked by the percent? Do you think that percent would of been lower than 92% 20 years ago?
How do you get over your ‘body hating days?’
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for this post. I am literally in tears once every two weeks about how I don’t have the willpower to stay on a diet and keep gaining weight everyday when I step on the scale. I’m in the 92% trying to be in the 8%. My recent fitspo obsession was with instagram which is now loaded with healthy eating and fitness phanatics.
Don’t even do a diet, don’t consider it that! Just live with balance and moderation! Sometimes too you can get caught in a trap comparing what others do to workout and eat, remember we are all different! <3
I’m not surprised by that number at all!! I hate the fact that it’s true though!!! Terrible! I honestly don’t look at my body mug in the mirror but many days I don’t like how I feel in my clothes!! Great words of love and advice! Keep on sparkling my gorgeous friend!! U are so much more beautiful than u know!!
Those numbers make me sick. Every time I see statistics of body image surveys I want to cry. I love your attitude and your love for yourself! You are an inspiration my dear!
xoxo
I believe those figures 100%…. no pun intended, lol. I have hated my body intensely since the age of 12, when the diet spiral began. I don’t think I will ever get to a place where I can say I ‘love’ my body, but I am working on at least being able to accept it, and not constantly be at war with how I look. I don’t know if there will ever be a day in my life where I can comfortably see my reflection or a picture of myself and not get upset, but I’m trying. That is all we can do. Try.
I love this post! It really resonates with me because I’m trying to get rid of all the potentially “negative” measures for body image lying around my house right now, one of which is the scale (*cue shrieking woman*). I am MORE than a number, and weighing myself daily gets in the way of that. Thanks for the positivity!
You are so welcome! Toss that scale! You are beautiful, nothing like a scale determines that, you are!
Thanks so much for this post today! I really needed it this week! Your attitude is contagious and I hope one day I can view myself like you do!
Those statistics make me crazy, so sad really. Health is best no matter what, and that is different for everyone. Can’t we all just be happy and healthy and beautiful every time we look in the mirror? That’s my goal anyways
You are SO welcome! YES, I know, I used to judge myself SO bad. I think as I got older too, I just came at peace <3
it scares me to see all the young girls obsessed with diet already. I am praying that we can stop that. Love each other, loves ourselves, perfectly imperfect.
Love this post! I wish I was surprised by the 92% number but I actually believe it! It is really sad how much pressure women place on themselves to look a certain way and you are right, it seems to be happening early and earlier for young girls!
You are beautiful girl!!and you have a hot rockin body!! You really do! Screw the VS models!
This is such a good post. I can believe that percentage because most of my friends including myself want to change things about ourselves. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love our bodies, it’s just that most girls are looking to improve things. Besides wanting to improve certain things, I do love my body enough to take care of it with exercise and good food. I’m proud of my body in some ways but insecure in other ways because it’s difficult to not fall into the comparison trap.
You are on gorgeous girl from head to toe, but the most beautiful thing about you is your heart xoxo
I like to think I’m part of that 8% but it took me a LONG time to get here and there are definitely still some days I fall into the 92%. The pressure on young women (and girls) to have these perfect bodies is just out of control these days and I don’t think the fashion of wearing super short shorts or skirts helps that issue. I hope that we see a change in this and continue to take actions to help girls improve their self esteem and love their bodies.
It’s pretty sad that I’m not surprised with that number. I feel like every girl is so hard on themselves, and it’s heart breaking. Everyone needs to realize that they are beautiful and that a number doesn’t define them. I know it’s easier said than done for a lot of people, but it is so important.
Love this post and your positive energy, Katie<3 Always puts a smile on my face
This is really a sad statistic… and I’m not too proud to say that I do fall into the 92%… it’s so sad that women are constantly being judged on their body/weight.. I know personally I didn’t start becoming weight conscious until I was 19 and I look back now and wonder what even possessed me, I was never overweight, I was normal… Society needs to stop bullying women/girls of all ages before that statistic gets higher
I totally do think the % would be lower 20 yrs ago.. in fact, I learned last year in my fashion psychology course that 30% of girls 8 or under surveyed had been on a diet! 8 years old!! So sad to me to hear. I definitely didn’t know what a calorie even was until maybe 17 or 18 and even then didn’t even care.. so I can see an extreme change happening already and I am only 26. I think I am honestly in the 8%, I have always been confident about my body Generally, god bless my mom for not believing in scales!! I do have those bad days, like anyone, and I try to wear my favourite outfit, make sure my hair/make up is done, and laugh or chat with a best friend or my loving man who always has a lovely compliment for me
Great issue to bring up Katie! Keep feeling beautiful!!
love love love this post.
If you saw what I posted about today, you would know I definitely needed to read this!
Sadly, I’m not at all surprised about that statistic, and needless to say, it’s disappointing. I’ve found myself being SO negative about how I look lately and I’ve decided it just HAS to stop. It’s not worth it! And if I’m not striving to be happy with my body the way it is (especially since I, overall, take good care of it), that’s going to tear down my relationships with other people too…We have to love who we are–we’re made to be just the way we are! Love you, Katie!
Wow. I’m not surprised though. Women are critical…and we criticize ourselves the most! But it makes me sad that such a huge percent are unhappy. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I am perfectly happy with my body. Of course, I have the time to dedicate to ME. Time for exercise and eating right, while so many women sacrifice “me” time to take care of everyone else but themselves. Very rarely, I have a day when I might feel less than awesome. The best way to snap out of that is to remember how lucky I am to know what it means to be healthy. Just like you said, there’s no perfect body. I think mine is perfect. At least, when I look in the mirror, I love what I see. Other people might disagree, but I don’t really care, since I’m perfectly happy. Perfect to me is being well-fed, well-exercised, free of pain, and comfortable in my own skin. It’s too bad that women are so sad these days! It’s definitely the result of mass media confusion. There is an emphasis to lose weight, but there is also a movement encouraging everyone to love what they’ve got. Finding the healthy medium is the trick—if only there was a reliable media outlet that guided women in the direction of healthy practices while encouraging self-worth. Haha i laugh because…his name is Dr. Oz. =) I’m just a fan, but his show should be scheduled into every woman’s day planner. Honestly, I watch the Dr. Oz show every day at the gym, and he teaches a lot of nutrition basics while lovingly embracing every audience member. Other than his show, I haven’t found anything on tv or in magazines that serves to help people. Crash diets and surgery aren’t the answer to happiness. Maybe one day, I’ll get a talk show. If I do, I’ll let you know! =)
No, I am not shocked. I used to work with a lot of women who looked fine but always complained about themselves, body image included.
great post and it is really sad how SO many women hate their bodies, but also how it keeps starting younger and younger. it’s taken me a LONG time but i’ve learned to just let go of some of my body hang-ups and not care. i don’t 100% love myself, but i don’t think everyone does every single day. wat’s helped me the most is looking at wat my body can DO for me…since it lets me run i am incredibly appreciative of that and focus more on my ability to run than the fact that i wish i had a flatter stomach.
Wow, in one way I’m shocked, but in another way I kind of have noticed the downward trend in woman being body positive and appreciating their bodies. It really is sad, and I don’t want any other women or men to suffer through any sort of eating disorder. It really is heartbreaking that we can’t just stand tall and be proud of our bodies. If someone does admit they love their body, I’ve seen other women tear that person down. Saying how could they think that when their thighs are big, or something ridiculous. I mean, who in their right mind can judge someone else if they love their body for what it is. That is beautiful and we shouldn’t shame someone because they love themselves. Self love is hard to come across these days. Great post beautiful girl! xox
It worries me how young girls are starting to worry about their weight so early. I’m starting to think that once I’m certified as a health coach, body image and weight maintenance in a healthy way may be something I want to go into for my practice’s specialty. It’s so concerning!
What a great post, thank you so much Katie! You are so right in everything you point out I couldn’t agree more with you! I am not surprised by the number. We’re doing a bit better over here in Switzerland, but also here’s a lot of judgement around. Lately I read an article about the eating/drinking behaviors of the VS-models. It might have been written in the article that this is not healthy what they do with their body. Still, they presented meal plans so any girl who is in danger to fall into the trap can step right into there. It’s sad, and we need more people who write things like this post!!!
Great post, Katie! It took me a long time to realise that nobody has a perfect body. I realised this when I reached my ‘goal weight’ and still wasn’t happy. It didn’t make me feel better about myself or improve my life.
Every now and then I’ll have an off day where I want to change something about my body, but for the most part I’m proud of what I look like. I have sculpted my body through heavy lifting, and I love being able to see physical evidence of that.
Alarming statistics there – I’m happy to say that I’m VERY happy with my body these days. I’ve come a long way
I’m not surprised by the number at all. It’s ashame how young girls are now worrying about their bodies and perfection. I never really thought about this until I was in college. Lately when I have a negative body comment in my head I tell myself be lucky that you are healthy and are able to nurture and exercise it because their are people who can’t. I remind myself that I came along way (ive lost around 35-40lbs from when i started college) and that I should appreciate my body now.
Love this post. Unfortunately I’m not surprise, it is such a huge issue, especially with the younger generation. I know from talking to my mom and grandma, the trend is definitely a negative one. Hopefully people will realize this though and that 8% will grow!
It’s sad that this is so they’re and I see and hear it everywhere. I used to body snark my own body all the time but it is getting much much better with the help of opening up to my boyfriend and helping him understandhow I think and how to respond and help.
As the saying goes “Put Up or Shut Up” – either embrace what you have and deal or do something about it. I am doing something about it and loving my body and its transformation. Love your post and great reminder that there is more to life than body hating:) Have a Great One!
I heard that on the Ace & TJ show. It makes me sad.
I’m a little late to comment on this, but I LOVE this post. I know way too many people, including several of my close girlfriends, who fall into the 92%. They are always amazed that I don’t complain about being fat, feeling ugly, or feel bad about myself. Truth is, of course I have days like that but overall, I LOVE my body and wouldn’t change anything about it (hence why I am the exact same size I’ve been since I was 17, haha). You really hit the nail on the head with this one, and I couldn’t have said it any better! <3
Thank you Claire! I am glad you have a good relationship with your body! <3
Katie this post was so special and really touched me! I’m getting better at accepting and loving my body but there are so many things I would change if I could. I think having Josh accept my body and love it flaws and all has really made me feel better about it. I know that kind of self acceptance should come from within but somethings I think its just as necessary from outside sources. I really hope you have a little girl someday, I think you’d be such a positive role model for her.
Thank you! <3 I appreciate that SO much! <3
I just found this post and love it. Thank you for writing this.
SO happy you loved it <3 Happy weekend beauty!!
{ 1 trackback }