The Body Image Project: December 2007

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Age 35

I have gone through my entire life hating my body. No more. Now, I don’t just accept the body I was given, I love the body I was given. This body created and birthed three beautiful children. Seeing what my body can create has made me love my body. My body created the hearts, minds and bodies of the most precious things in my life. I see myself in my children’s faces and that makes me feel beautiful. I have grown to appreciate my body, my mind and my instincts. I now treat my body well and it treats me well. There is nothing more magical in life than motherhood.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Age 31

I remember going on my first diet at 12. Looking back I don’t think I had to, but for some reason I thought I should. At 12, I became obsessed with food. Food was (and is) always on my mind. I have never been anorexic or bulimic, but my struggle is very real. My weight is a constant up and down battle and I’ve never been happy with my body. There has always been a part of me that I wish was flatter, tighter or leaner. I wonder if I will ever be comfortable in my own skin.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Age 51

Gravity and hot flashes have begun to take their toll, but I still love my body. It is strong and healthy, hasn't failed me yet and has given life and nourishment to three wonderful children. The miracles of the workings of the human body are often taken for granted and shouldn't be. Watch a woman wrestle with news that the pregnancy being carried won't have 10 fingers and 10 toes and one has a new respect for the miracle of conception and embryonic development. Watch that child grow and learn and beat the odds of her birth and prognosis and in the end we are each a miracle in our own right. A few pounds, curves, or lack of either do not form our soul, our heart or our unique contribution to this world we live in.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Age 32

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Programming Note

Every Sunday night at 10pm in December, BBC America presents a series of all-new documentaries that take an in-depth, honest and often surprising look at some of the body image issues that people are struggling to overcome in their search for happiness.

Super Skinny Me
476-lb. Teenager
My Small Breasts and I
My Big Breasts and Me
Teen Transsexual

Want To Share?

The Body Image Project is an online project searching for women and girls of all ages to share their individual experiences and feelings about their own body image perceptions. The goal of the project is to have women and girls take the brave step of sharing their story, break the hold these perceptions have and ultimately reveal to those who share and those who read the thoughts of others – you are not alone. It is a rare opportunity to share without fear of judgment - share in a healthy manner. We ask that individuals include their age so the reader witnesses the wide-range of ages and the wide-range of issues women and girls are facing (often silently).

Share your story. Keep it short and simple - the impact will be huge.

To share your story, simply email your words to bodyprojectsubmission@gmail.com.

Background

Body image dissatisfaction is a growing epidemic in our society. Women, teenagers – and now young girls – have become obsessed with obtaining the “perfect body” which can lead to an unimaginable sense of self-loathing. Society targets women with constant attacks on their bodies creating a false belief that our value – our worth – is based on appearance alone. We have become enslaved to the beauty myth and to our unwavering attempt to fit in, skewing the mental picture we have of ourselves.

The Body Image Project simply asks “when you look in the mirror, what do you see?” Do you embrace your physical appearance, or yearn for change? Do you accept your physical differences or take extreme measures in an attempt to change your body? How far are you willing to go to feel better about yourself? Are you happy?

Be honest. Be open. Express yourself without fear of judgment.

Through your words and shared thoughts, The Body Image Project will take an unflinching look at how women and girls perceive their bodies, allow individuals an opportunity to reveal their perceptions of their own self-image and explain how far some are willing to go to fit in.