This is where we share stuff we can’t share on Facebook page for fear of being kicked out! Read why here. Usually the posts are about body image, sometimes there’s nudity but we’re all adults here. Right?
By the way, Facebook recently clarified its stance on nudity, writing, “We remove photographs of people displaying genitals or focusing in on fully exposed buttocks. We also restrict some images of female breasts if they include the nipple, but we always allow photos of women actively engaged in breastfeeding or showing breasts with post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures and other art that depicts nude figures.” For the full story see here.
Oh, so scary. Nipples!
Why does a fitness blog even care about body image? You can read about that here.
These Photos of the Female Body Are Tough to Look At, But That’s Part of Their Message
In her most recent series, talented Taiwanese photographer, Yung Cheng Lin, known more commonly as “3cm,” explores some of the immutable pangs and and unpleasant realities of womanhood, in unsettling yet thought-provoking ways. Cheng Lin depicts a number of realities in the progression of womanhood – many of which aren’t publicly discussed because of how they’re stigmatized or quieted.
Celebrate Yourself: Study Links Poor Body Image to Weight Gain in Girls
If you need a reason to avoid bullying teenagers over their weight beyond that it’s cruel, look no further than a new study that links feelings of shame to weight gain.
The 10-year-long study looked at the body mass index—a common tool recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that uses height and weight to determine whether someone is overweight or obese—and body satisfaction of about 500 boys and girls who were 14 and 15 years old in 1998 and 1999. Researchers analyzed the BMIs of the young adults again in 2009 and 2010. Body perception had no noticeable impact on BMI change in adolescent boys, but it was a significant factor for women. Those with the lowest levels of body dissatisfaction had gained about six BMI points, while women with the highest levels had only gained about three points.
“Some people believe if young people feel bad about their bodies, this might provide them…the necessary motivation to engage in weight-loss efforts,” Katie Loth, the study’s lead author, told the StarTribune. She was pleased to find that her study proved otherwise.
Healthy body image: How moms instill resilience in daughters
A new research has revealed that mothers use variety of strategies to mitigate risks to daughters’ body image.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) research demonstrates how Jewish mothers’ emphasis on the many aspects of well being, fitness and a sense of self-fulfillment helps to counteract the innumerable “ideal” body images seen and heard by their daughters in the mass media.
The new study focuses on how Jewish mothers instilled resilience in their daughters to combat body dissatisfaction, which can lead to eating disorders. It included 20 pairs of mothers and adult-age daughters and eight other pairs of just mothers or daughters.
All the mothers interviewed concurred that they bear some responsibility for their daughters’ weight, socialization to accepted gender roles and general well being, explains researcher Dr. Maya Maor.
Debunking BMI & The Value of Body-Positivity
For those of you looking to add some fuel to your fire in fighting the fight against fat stigma, I want to lay out some basic facts and the science behind Health At Every Size (HAES)®, fat acceptance and other body-positive movements.
The whole concept of accepting the fat we’ve been conditioned to hate is obviously controversial, and those of us attempting to do so face an uphill battle, fighting against a society that wholeheartedly believes in the existence of an “obesity epidemic.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve been challenged with “…but it’s been proven that ‘obesity’ leads to diabetes and heart disease!” or “…but I feel so much better since I lost weight! [so obviously my experience applies to everyone!]” or “…if people would just control their appetites and get off the couch, we wouldn’t have such a problem with ‘obesity’ in this country!”
Fat Girl Fantasies: Why We Need to See More Fat Women in Porn
What images does the term “porn star” stir up in your mind? Some may think of blondes, some may think of big tits, and some may think of something more creative. But few think of someone who isn’t thin.
Sure, there are different types of porn out there, but there aren’t many different types of porn stars. If you do happen to be different, chances are you’re servicing a niche community. And while that itself isn’t problematic, the lack of representative bodies in mainstream porn certainly is.
I’m a Fat Former Bulimic, and Fat Acceptance is the Main Reason I Was Able to Get Into Recovery
As I sat reading It Happened to Me: I’m a Fat Bulimic, my heart broke, as many others’ did I’m sure. The voice of the piece brought me back to my own days as a fat bulimic. I felt like I was reliving so many nights of my life through her words.
While the whole piece was desperately sad, the part that stayed stuck in my head was her belief that it is impossible for her to ever love her body; her belief that she can somehow recover while skipping that vital step. I know from my experience, that recovering without loving yourself is an impossible paradox.
For years I couldn’t figure out the origins of my eating disorder, but the more I’ve learned about fat acceptance, the clearer it became. I grew up in a family that hated their bodies. This, combined with the cultural message that fat is evil, brewed to create my ten-year battle with ED.
Thank you for your post. I enjoyed reading about the HAES movement. I hope to instill in myself a true desire to just be healthy, not a specific weight, but just healthy. I’ve always been so focused on the scale, that this will take a long time. My mother, grandmother, and aunt have been brutal to my cousins, sister, and I about the image of our bodies. It is important to me, as you’ve also expressed, that we learn that resilience, and teach it to future generations.
Thanks for linking to our article!!
Love,
HEALTH CLUB