I can be a walking pile of self loathing at times. But I looked at these photos of the "beautiful people" with their cellulite and bellies and the thing that hit me is they don't care! They still squeeze into their stringiest bikini and shortest skirt, knowing there are photographers everywhere who can't wait to put their picture on the front page of some rag or tabloid. Lord, I would die a thousand deaths if I were wearing something like that and it ended up on the news stands! Maybe I'm too darn hard on myself. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be getting on my bike or taking that walk or not eating the cake. But maybe I shouldn't be so hard on this 51 year old imperfect body. Funny to think that we are hard on ourselves because of the glamour shots of these same people that we see every day isn't it? The glamour and perfection isn't real for them either.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Cellulite and self-esteem
This is a bit of a departure for me. I was just over reading Designs by Gollum's post about cellulite and I had an epiphany. An honest to goodness epiphany. You see, her post is about cellulite and she says that even the stars get it. She has all the pictures (and I don't know about you but I love that, sorry, I just do) As a 51 year old woman I sometimes look in the mirror and wonder what is happening to me. My face, my body. I'm not an athlete, never have been, and I keep telling myself I need to walk, get on my bike, Don't eat that cake!
I can be a walking pile of self loathing at times. But I looked at these photos of the "beautiful people" with their cellulite and bellies and the thing that hit me is they don't care! They still squeeze into their stringiest bikini and shortest skirt, knowing there are photographers everywhere who can't wait to put their picture on the front page of some rag or tabloid. Lord, I would die a thousand deaths if I were wearing something like that and it ended up on the news stands! Maybe I'm too darn hard on myself. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be getting on my bike or taking that walk or not eating the cake. But maybe I shouldn't be so hard on this 51 year old imperfect body. Funny to think that we are hard on ourselves because of the glamour shots of these same people that we see every day isn't it? The glamour and perfection isn't real for them either.
I can be a walking pile of self loathing at times. But I looked at these photos of the "beautiful people" with their cellulite and bellies and the thing that hit me is they don't care! They still squeeze into their stringiest bikini and shortest skirt, knowing there are photographers everywhere who can't wait to put their picture on the front page of some rag or tabloid. Lord, I would die a thousand deaths if I were wearing something like that and it ended up on the news stands! Maybe I'm too darn hard on myself. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be getting on my bike or taking that walk or not eating the cake. But maybe I shouldn't be so hard on this 51 year old imperfect body. Funny to think that we are hard on ourselves because of the glamour shots of these same people that we see every day isn't it? The glamour and perfection isn't real for them either.
Good Morning Kathy! I agree with you whole heartedly. I'm so hard on myself about weight...as you can tell from my posts periodically. I can convince myself that I'm 30 pounds overweight but that's just not the truth. Why do we do this to ourselves? It's really a burden in your mind and I wish there was a way to turn off that switch that makes us talk negatively to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It is hard not to notice the imperfections in ourselves, when we are bombarded with perfection throught TV and magazines. I don't think I ever noticed my flaws when I was younger, but I know I had them!
I do know that I need to start exercising. Just for health reasons. I feel this old body getting stiffer every day. I am thinking about taking up yoga...
Hugs,
Penny
We are so very hard on ourselves...and why? Because we have an image, a perception of what beauty is or what is acceptable because of what "media" has provided. That's why I love the Dove ads...beauty is so much more than firm thighs, white teeth and tight skin. Beauty is what lies within, that shines out.
ReplyDeleteI've come to accept my 52, nearly 53 year old body. It has given me 2 beautiful children, it has seen me through a splenectomy, 2 c-sections, 2 breast cancer surgeries...and I see how wonderful my body is. It sags, it bags, I really need to be more fit and athletic but what I know is this...every scar and every lump and bump has been earned...the hard way. Trust me, I didn't come to this overnight...it took time. And it was worth it!! ♥
I also wanted to tell you how much I love the new look and your amazing banner...so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWait until you gals turn sixty. It is all downhill from there. HE! HE! Everything is beginning to sag and bag on me.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteVery good post. I'm big into fitness and health and believe that daily exercise is good for everyone, but only for the health benefits do I encourage people to exercise.
I was reading an article last night in Self magazine about the new LA diets many stars are on. They don't use the word "diet", but call it a cleansing. Anyway, what they are doing is using one of many cleanses where they are basically starving themselves. These can be so dangerous, yet they do them to be a size 0.
Even though I believe everyone should exercise, I'm glad you posted this and that the previous followers who have posted seem to be content with their bodies. That is the right frame of mind to have...be thankful for what God has blessed us with and not dwell on what we don't have. Because afterall, are those skinny size 0 celebrities any happier than we are? I think not!
Nancy
Today I will just celebrate my cellulite!
ReplyDeleteLove,
LuLu~*xoxo
Never mind 60, wait till 70 hits...then you see the differences!
ReplyDeleteSorry, but it makes me smile when I see stars that are "human" just like the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI love to see them them without the make up, air brushing, etc. Makes me feel better!! LOL
XXDenise
Just 'found' your blog! I laughed all the way through it! Thanks...I needed that!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have so much going for you, you needn't worry so much about a little ol' cellulite (though it does tend to have a hold on most of us ;)
Cheers,
Linda
Great post Kathy! I laughed all the way through! I just don't know why we can't just be happy with who we are! If anyone else out there is like me ...you just never think that anything is good enough! But, in truth we are all alike ...we all have flaws, we all have cellulite and bellies and things falling south! As I get older ...I'm learning to love the true me! Every little thing ...even if it seems to be slipping a little further down on the body!
ReplyDeleteSometimes seeing all the perfect bodies on tv and magazine covers makes us all feel less than perfect but we have to remember that there is airbrushing and everything else that it takes to make people look "less than they are".....makes me feel better anyway! lol
ReplyDelete~Patti
let me give you a little too much TMI. while i sit at my lap top i lean back in my chair a little and tighten my stomach and release(crunches)i also tighten my gluteus maximus too:). i do the gluteus thing when i drive too. and it does make a diff. now did someone say berry pie and coffee? here i come lol!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
aimee
Amen and Amen! I would never squeeze into something revealing my cellulite and gravity-hit body!
ReplyDeleteI started having cellulite really bad when I was still very thin at 110 lbs. Now I am about 50 lbs. overweight and am 49 yrs - I either avoid mirrors or prefer 20watt bulbs!
Hi Kathy
ReplyDeleteWell said. In Europe even the old ladies wear bikinis and go topless. They aren't concerned with cellulite or sagging. Maybe we should be more like that. I mean unconcerend about cellulite, not going topless!!
Hugs, Rhondi
I'm with you sister! No way am I going to display my post fifty self in a anything revealing! V.
ReplyDeleteWell, I see what all you ladies are talking about. I'm pushing sixty and I'm sometimes taken aback when I look in a mirror. Who is that older lady! What's happening to my neck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your funny post. Remember to keep a twinkle in your wrinkle.
Well you know what the nester says. I'll just change two words. "You don't have to be perfect to be beautiful." Amen
ReplyDeleteHe He!! I always get a kick out of those mag covers and stories!! We all have it...young and old. Let's embrace it!!
ReplyDeleteJen
Great post Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all too critical of ourselves and our bodies. We have to learn to love who we are both inside and out
Alison
Kathy...you are right as usual! I kind of avoid mirrors but then when I come face to face with one I am thinking who is that person?
ReplyDeleteI need to get on that bike too!
xo,
annie
Thanks for sharing your thoughts...at 53 I too wonder where the younger me has gone and I grieve for what I was. I needed to be reminded that I'm fine just the way I am and not to be so hard on myself, after all this body has blessed me with my wonderful sons and I wouldn't trade them for a younger, skinnier me!
ReplyDeletethis was perfect timing! After spending a week on the beach and seeing all the women who were so comfortable with their flaws...I let my guard down and relaxed!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! How funny...I just did a similar post about beauty on the inside and out. I am hard on myself as well. My legs have so many veins in them that you could map out a trip from California to Texas on them! As I am writing this comment, I just looked over at the daily snippet that reads:
ReplyDeleteHe who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. (bring on the chocolate cake!) *ha* *ha*
Great post!
xx
becky