body image · fitness

Happy body image day!

catherine w

Hi everyone– I was planning on writing a group blog post on body image, based on a complex and troubling (to me and some others) article that came into view on various friends’ Facebook feeds.  But this weekend also coincided with my book club’s getaway in South Berwick, Maine.  5 of us managed to make it up here from Boston (an April 1 snowstorm deterred 2 others– we missed y’all!) and spent 3 days lolling by the fire, looking at the snow, hot tubbing outside the house, walking on the beach, eating yummy food we had prepared and brought, watching movies, and solving a jigsaw puzzle.  Utter heaven.

So I’m just not in the mood for tackling thorny issues about misogyny, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating.

Why?  Because I spent 3 days with women of different ages and body sizes, doing all sorts of body-conscious activities (e.g. walking, shoveling, hot tubbing) and celebrating the fun of the bodies we have.

It just so happens that I am the largest of the women in my book club.  But like the long-past internet meme sensation honey badger, they just don’t give a shit.  And it turns out that not-giving-a-shit is infectious.  What a delightful revelation!

In service of taking my new not-giving-a-shit-about-body-image-concern out for a spin, here are some pics from the weekend.  Here is one of some of us in the hot tub.  I was feeling self-conscious about looking like, well, me, in this pic.  By the way, I’m second from right.

Hot tub fun with friends
Hot tub fun with friends

But it’s such a cute picture, and we all look cute.  So I’m fatter than the others– maybe I can just not give a shit.

Here’s a picture of my friend Gillian and me on the beach in Ogunquit.  We were both running around (literally) chasing the waves and getting our feet wet and squealing with delight.

A woman on the right, heading toward a woman on the left, both on the beach on a stormy day
A woman on the right, heading toward a woman on the left, both on the beach on a stormy day

I noticed that I look much fatter than Gillian.  Maybe I can just not give a shit.

Finally, here is a picture from a bar we went to after walking along the Marginal Way walk in Ogunquit.  We had coffee and also ordered fries.

A cappuccino cup and fries on the bar counter
A cappuccino cup and fries on the bar counter

I ate some of the fries.  Hey, I don’t give a shit!

I’m hoping that these happy-body-image feelings will both persist in me, and spread out to all of you, dear readers.  So happy body image day!

What are some things that you don’t give a shit about with respect to body image?  We can all use some inspiration.

Published by catherine w

I'm a feminist public health ethicist (yes, that's a thing). I'm interested in heath behavior change, particularly around eating and activity, and how things other than knowledge affect our health decisions.I'm also a cyclist (road, sort-of-off-road, commuter), regular yoga-doer, occasional swimmer and kayaker and leisurely social walker.

8 thoughts on “Happy body image day!”

  3. Lately wearing stretchy pants and not worrying that I have to have a long top that goes over my butt and belly. I just don’t give a fuck about that any more!

  4. I’m not skinny and need to lose a good thirty lbs. I don’t like wearing makeup daily now that I’m a SAHM. I dont care but I don’t think I look bad without it. I know some women who can’t leave their house without a full face of makeup. Not me!

  5. I absolutely REFUSE to disguise my silver hair. I’m 50, and I’ve earnt these salt n pepper stripes! I notice so many women looking at my hair, perhaps with judgement, perhaps with admiration, whatever, I don’t know. I know I look fabulous AND authentic, and not ashamed of my age and wisdom… 🙂

  7. You look super happy and sounds like a fun time, I’m glad that you gave no shits!

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