How important is your body image?

Over the years I have become a little juicy. From the PCOS, to just not caring what I eat, my self esteam and body image has just hit rock bottom.

I have recently started to workout 5 days a week using Yoga Booty Ballet workout DVD's and following The Carbohydrates Addicts diet. So far so good. I have lost 6 pounds in the first week. Second week is starting and I know its going to slow down. I feel great after I work out and even better when I stepped on the scale and seen my loss. Why is it that you loose quick the first couple of weeks and then it slows down? Ever since I have started working out I believe that I have been in a better mood, and havent been feeling so down. My confidence is way up and Im overall and more happy person. Even though Im sore as hell. I have worked muscles that I never even knew existed.

Im wanting to loose about 30 pounds and just wanted to see what you ladies do to keep in shape or if you do nothing at all. Also how do you feel about your body are you happy or want to change something?

I joined an aerobics class and stopped drinking soda and eating fast food. I lost 20 lbs, I love the way I look, yeah, im not the prettiest/skinniest girl in the world, but in not the ugliest/fattest either, my view is, if a guy doesnt like me for what I look like, then he doesnt deserve me, when I change something, I do it, whats the worst that could happen?

I've got a fat ass, thick thighs and huge jugs. I love my body more than anything and on top of that, my boyfriend loves it too. I do feel I should lose a few pounds though, just to feel healthier.

I think everyone is beautiful, you guys should think it too :D

I would say that my self-esteem is higher than average, but I still have hangups and I know everyone does. Just look at celebs these days- so many people look up to them but more and more we are seeing just how insecure they are- from drugs, to extreme diets, to hasty romances!

Im very slim (some say skinny but i dont like that term because i DO have curves!! and i love them) and have always had a high metabolism so I have never had to workout to keep my figure. Recently I have noticed I have become a little less 'toned', so Im definitely going to start going to something like yoga soon. I did it a few times in the summer, but since I am a student and yoga here costs as much as $16/drop in class, I can't really afford it.

Anyways, Dro, about losing the most weight in the first week, I have heard that it's "water weight"... basically those 6 pounds were from being bloated (ie water retention) and for some reason or another those are the first pounds to be dropped.

I have a pretty poor body image and low self esteem. I lift weights 2-3 times a week. I have been noticing that I'm starting to look more toned. I just wish the weight would come off faster.

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Originally Posted by napolitana869

I have a pretty poor body image and low self esteem. I lift weights 2-3 times a week. I have been noticing that I'm starting to look more toned. I just wish the weight would come off faster.

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You could lose about 200 pounds of dead weight if you'd drop that control freak boyfriend of yours.;) It would raise your self esteem too.

I mean that in the nicest way possible.
Signed,
The Lady Who Used To Be In Your Shoes.

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Originally Posted by Mrs. Greenjeans

You could lose about 200 pounds of dead weight if you'd drop that control freak boyfriend of yours
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OMG that's like one of the best things you've posted!!!!

I have decent body image still because even when I was bigger, I was running triathalons and actually passing people during the run at the end... hey, there was beer at the finish line, what can I say, I didn't want to get stuck with bud light while everyone else had sam adams!!!!
And the best part was that distance-running was always a weak point for me in the past like when I played soccer in HS.
It's funny how I just see myself as kind of burly, not overweight.
And now, since I lost 220 lbs of dead BF weight, my eating habits are MY OWN... bachelorette food, baby! And I've already lost 7 pounds and don't consider myself to be on a diet at all.

My body image is fine. I don't do anything specifically to work out. However I do try to walk everywhere and use my car as little as possible. I probably go through a tank of gas a month.

On top of that, I naturally have really good eating habits. I have been a vegetarian most of my life, and have never really been attracted to junk food or processed foods.

I think my job is a good workout, I am constantly running it circles and lifting many heavy things.

Plus on top of all that I have a lot of sex.

I feel like that I am happy with my body image. Except there are days I wish I had some more boobs!

I can relate to what you just wrote Tallulah...I don't "work out" but I do walk A LOT (no car), and I also have a lot of sex!!! Im always tempted to mention that to a doctor when they ask about the amount of exercise i do lol. Also, I too was a (quasi-)vegetarian for about 6 months (i still ate fish and dairy), and still today I eat almost no meat at all, and try to keep a balanced diet.

Being healthy is all about balance- in all areas of ones life.

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

OMG that's like one of the best things you've posted!!!!


And now, since I lost 220 lbs of dead BF weight, my eating habits are MY OWN... bachelorette food, baby! And I've already lost 7 pounds and don't consider myself to be on a diet at all.

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When I divorced my abusive ex (my kids' dad), I stood bewildered in the aisle at Kroger. I didn't know what I liked to eat. For 7 years I had based my grocery list on that moron's likes and dislikes. He ate nothing more adventurous than meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Lots of meat and starches and processed foods. As a result, I weighed 150 pounds on my willow frail 5'4" frame. Now, I'm about 115-120, and eat a lot of veggies and lean meat and fruit, and wholegrain cereals and pasta. More importantly, I'm no longer embarrased to be seen naked. I think I was hiding behind my fat before, protecting myself from that jerk.

my boyfriend influences my eating habits a lot, but i think it's a good thing for the most part. his family is super pro-organic and healthy, so he has got me eating more organic foods and more fruits and veggies. if we ever break up i hope i keep up with my current diet, cause im a little bit of a junk food addict!! :D

I have lost 15 pounds this semester at school, because I started swimming regularly.

I now weigh 165 on my 5'4" frame, but quite a bit of that goes into my boobs (38F). However, I do want to lose another 15 pounds or so.

My boyfriend tells me all the time that I look perfect, and that he loves the little bit of extra meat on my bones. However, he also understands that I just feel healthier when I weigh less, and helps and supports me.

Oh, and Mrs. Greenjeans - such good advice, and good for you to have that strength. Its amazing how ugly pounds leave with the (emotionally) ugly man.

I'm too slim right now, but even when I'm a little "fluffier," as my husband calls it, I'm not sure that I have a great body image. I tend to be too self-critical and look in the mirror and wish I had bigger boobs or slightly shorter legs or a rounder butt. It's always something. I hate it that this is a struggle for me and so many other women. Guys dont struggle with this issue nearly as much. And I recently read that women of color don't either. Wonder where we get this? Is it from our mothers? My mom was the same way--overly hard on herself. My younger sister's theory is that we three girls inherited it from her. If I were able to look at myself without the poop-colored glasses (a term from a friend of mine who's about to become a practicing psychologist), I might be happy with the fact that I'm tall and reasonably proportional and have a fairly nice face. But instead I see the flaws.

Interesting BG. I'm biracial, but was raised with the white side of my family, and I have body image issues. I wonder how differently I might have felt had I been raised with the black side of my family? I might not mind my comparatively chubby thighs. I might not have gotten a breast augmentation to "even" myself out.

I dunno. I retired from stripping last year, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that all men are different. I weighed 100 pounds of lean muscle when I retired, and for every man who thought that my body was perfect, there were two who thought I was too skinny, and at least one who thought I was too fat. You can't win.:p

Now I'm 20 pounds heavier, and I feel like a voluptous sex goddess. Even though when I wear corduroy pants you can hear me walking down the hall. :S2:

I'm sure you're beautiful! I'd like to add 20 pounds. I think women are much more attractive when they look like women and have curves. I used to have those, and I felt more comfortable like that, even though it wasn't runway skinny. Of course, in the days when I was that way, I worried about being too fat. Frankly, at the end of my pregnancy almost 21 years ago, I WAS fat. Like I said, it's always something.

I've been thinking about this all evening. I even called my mom. She said she definitely had what we now call "body image" issues when she was young. She was very pudgy as a teenager and then got obsessed about it and lost a lot of weight when she went away to college. She said "I feel pretty certain I had a mild case of anorexia, but this was the 50s, and so there wasn't a name for it then." That sorta opened my eyes.

i just want to say i was over weight for years and i hated myself for it, i wouldnt go anywhere, talking to a girl was out the question, i lived im my own misery.

i finally just went to the gym and basically lived there, i beat my body so bad some days i would almost be in tears from walking but after 15min of cardio they numb right up to be abused. it took but 6 months to lose 65lbs and my body feels a lot better than it did ever.

eating is nothing more than a weakness, find something better to eat like chicken and if you have a grill just grill it plain with no skin. there are tons of great veggies and a million ways to prepare them, you will lose weight faster eating better rather eating less believe it or not.

just motivate yourself and make yourself feel guilty for not working out.

i wish i did it sooner.

now i have 2 sons and a daughter on the way so maybe i should have stayed fat :p

I got rid of the 260 pound abusive ex-wife two years ago. I haven't lost any weight but I feel more limber. The kids and I laugh much more and wrestle. I am much more likely to sit on the floor with them to play a game or watch tv then back then. Maybe I lost emotional weight? Either way, I feel much better just knowing the kids are safe and that I did the hard thing for the right reason and it's worked out best for them. I probably look my full 46 years and then some, but I like myself and feel so much better about myself.

- Slow -

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Originally Posted by birdgirl73

I'm too slim right now, but even when I'm a little "fluffier," as my husband calls it, I'm not sure that I have a great body image. I tend to be too self-critical and look in the mirror and wish I had bigger boobs or slightly shorter legs or a rounder butt. It's always something. I hate it that this is a struggle for me and so many other women. Guys dont struggle with this issue nearly as much. And I recently read that women of color don't either. Wonder where we get this? Is it from our mothers? My mom was the same way--overly hard on herself. My younger sister's theory is that we three girls inherited it from her. If I were able to look at myself without the poop-colored glasses (a term from a friend of mine who's about to become a practicing psychologist), I might be happy with the fact that I'm tall and reasonably proportional and have a fairly nice face. But instead I see the flaws.

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hah, i do. i think i'm extremely fat but in actuality i'm not close to as big as i think i am. being tall makes it worse b/c if you have any bit of extra weight you start to look like a linebacker. i'm always on a diet. i either barely eat at all or overeat. i'm "curvy" but i hate that, i wanna be skinny!

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Originally Posted by slowlickitysplit

I got rid of the 260 pound abusive ex-wife two years ago. I haven't lost any weight but I feel more limber. The kids and I laugh much more and wrestle. I am much more likely to sit on the floor with them to play a game or watch tv then back then. Maybe I lost emotional weight? Either way, I feel much better just knowing the kids are safe and that I did the hard thing for the right reason and it's worked out best for them. I probably look my full 46 years and then some, but I like myself and feel so much better about myself.

- Slow -

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BINGO! You've hit the nail on the head. Good for you Slow, for getting yourself and your babes out of a bad situation.

Folks, life is too short to spend it with soul sucking vampires. Remember, it is better to be alone than to wish that you were.;)

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Originally Posted by Samwhore

I joined an aerobics class and stopped drinking soda and eating fast food. I lost 20 lbs, I love the way I look, yeah, im not the prettiest/skinniest girl in the world, but in not the ugliest/fattest either, my view is, if a guy doesnt like me for what I look like, then he doesnt deserve me, when I change something, I do it, whats the worst that could happen?

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good for u samwhore!


i have problems bc i think if i look perfect always guys will want me and stay with me .... but i have learned the hard way that no matter how flawless i look it will only get a guy to bang u not to be there for u wen u need him

i have never worn much makeup but i was always reallly into my clothing and being dressed just right but recently i have stopped giving a shit ... and its made like a lot easier ... and i have more moeny ... now i just have to stop smoking so much and ill be rollin in cash

[quote=dutch.lover]I would say that my self-esteem is higher than average, but I still have hangups and I know everyone does. Just look at celebs these days- so many people look up to them but more and more we are seeing just how insecure they are- from drugs, to extreme diets, to hasty romances!

QUOTE]

we would all look that good if we had a team of ppl doing our hair/ makeup/ styling ... wouldn't that be nice :p

Everyone makes jokes that I have a fat ass, and when I say "Well Tom (boyfriend) loves it" they all say "He's black!" as if that's a reason? Maybe it is though, hahah.

I've struggled with body image much of my life, and being a model and actress for years really exacerbated it- but now that I am much older, (and out of that business) I am a little easier on myself. Menopause has been a bit unpleasant, but I think the fact that I love sweets doesn't help :D . I've let myself get a little flabby, so I have just started lifting weights again. I try not to compare my body now to what it used to be, and at the same time, I don't want to stop taking care of myself. Strength training always worked for me, because once I have a higher muscle to fat ratio, I don't really have to diet. I don't run anymore, and I miss it, but I don't think it is so easy on the joints. I have a treadmill and need to be more disciplined about walking.
The best benefit of exercise is the sense of feeling good and strong- that is much more empowering than trying to just live up to someone else's ideal. The hardest thing is establishing the habit of exercise! Once I do it regularly for a month or two, I'm hooked. So keep up the good work dro princess- I will cheer you on, and think of you when I need motivation to work out:)

New York City Ballet Workout.

Best. Thing. Ever.

And lifting... always a good idea.

Me? I'm fat. I'm happy. But I'm trying to get thinner. Whatever. I like food.... I don't mind being heavy but I don't like being unhealthy, so I keep my BMI around 24-25ish. ("normal" is 18-24.9)

Well, update...
I'm STILL not on a diet and have lost another few pounds since evicting the Ex. In fact, last weekend I threw a fondue party and probably ate about a POUND of cheese. I can't make this shit up! Fondue is a serious problem for me, lol... there has got to be like a 12-step program for it...
I am SO happy and confident lately.
I have always suspected that being happy helps make you healthy too.
And I might even have a new man in my life... we'll see...he's a cool shit... we can't get off the phone before midnight lately, lol, and the best part is that right after breaking up with The Jeff, I was TERRIFIED of dating (well, especially being seen naked, lol) but just recently I am feeling so positive that it's like, meh, with the exception of I NEED A TAN, it's all good. lol.
I think I have lost a pants size this month too...I was a 14 and I think that I have to go dig up all my size 12s... my jeans are all feeling just a tad loose! :D
Damn, happy spring everyone.

Rock n roll Stinky.:hippy:

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Well, update...
I'm STILL not on a diet and have lost another few pounds since evicting the Ex. In fact, last weekend I threw a fondue party and probably ate about a POUND of cheese. I can't make this shit up! Fondue is a serious problem for me, lol... there has got to be like a 12-step program for it...
I am SO happy and confident lately.
I have always suspected that being happy helps make you healthy too.
And I might even have a new man in my life... we'll see...he's a cool shit... we can't get off the phone before midnight lately, lol, and the best part is that right after breaking up with The Jeff, I was TERRIFIED of dating (well, especially being seen naked, lol) but just recently I am feeling so positive that it's like, meh, with the exception of I NEED A TAN, it's all good. lol.
I think I have lost a pants size this month too...I was a 14 and I think that I have to go dig up all my size 12s... my jeans are all feeling just a tad loose! :D
Damn, happy spring everyone.

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I can't believe you said fondue!
I told my husband just this week that I wanted to have a fondue party!!! I want one pot with cheese, one with hot oil, and one with chocolate!
I am so glad to here that you are happy- it just goes to show that sometimes, when a door closes, it gets rid of the cold draft!

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Originally Posted by Demeter

I told my husband just this week that I wanted to have a fondue party!!! I want one pot with cheese, one with hot oil, and one with chocolate!!

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I have an extra fondue set... I bought it at TJMAxx on clearance, then found an even COOLER vintage 1970s one at the junk shop for $3... guess which one I'm keeping!
I'll give it to you when my friend returns it.
OMG melted cheeeeese... mmmm... Hint: Save leftover fondue to make omlettes with the next morning.. with spinach and bacon.. omg.

Dammit now I'm hungry.

It all depends on the day with me. Some days I feel sexy and some days I feel like Shamu. I dont know about you guys but my whole day can be ruined if I catch myself in a mirror at the wrong angle. Ugh. But I work out like crazy and am on a 500-900 calorie diet. Ive lost alot of weight so far but damn am i hungry...and the munchies dont help.

Rebgirl, that calorie count is too low. You may lose some weight at first, but you'll hit a plateau. Then you'll gain it back. Your body is going to think you're starving it, which means it's going to start hanging on to every calorie you put in it, instead of using them for fuel. You'll also lose muscle instead of fat. Try not to drop under the 1200 calorie mark when you diet. And lift weights. It's the fastest, most effective way of reshaping your body. A pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat, even at rest. Putting on more lean muscle mass will raise your resting metabolic rate.

Now go eat something high in protein.:)

haha yeah well its worked for 3 years and I lost 50 pounds in the first 4 months and it hasnt came back. Besides my eating habits are allll screwed up. I actually have an eating disorder, its pretty screwed up though.

Well whatever works for you then. Just don't compromise your health.:thumbsup:

: ) thanks I appreciate your kindness!

Rebgirl! I'm so glad to see you back online, hun! Glad you're back amongst us. I missed you in recent months and wondered about you several times (was worried you might have been sick). Hope all is well with you, my friend.

Stinky....listen very closely....the guy you have the hots for is not for you....you need to wait....FOR ME!!!!! I am your soulmate in the big fondue pot of life! I want to dip my apples in your hot cheese....(OK, that was bad. LOL).
Man, it's been years since I did fondue. Ex wife hated it. I managed to drag her to a place that did fondue a few times before we got married but....well, I'd have preffered if she had given up oral sex after marriage!!! LOL

Glad to see you back on your feet.

- Slow -

PS - is there a spell checker on here?

ieSpell - Spell Checker add-on for Internet Explorer

awww birdgirl! Your a sweety!

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Originally Posted by slowlickitysplit

Stinky....listen very closely....the guy you have the hots for is not for you....you need to wait....FOR ME!!!!! I am your soulmate in the big fondue pot of life! I want to dip my apples in your hot cheese
?

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OMG that is like the funniest euphamism I have EVER heard. I just totally cracked up!!!
Actually I like apple/cheese fondue WAAAAY more than bread/cheese... and I also think that bread/chocolate is better than strawberry/chocolate. Does that make me a freak? Oh and I love raw veggie/bagna cauda (anchovy, olive oil, raw garlic) but I don't think it would be good on a date, lol!

Hi Stinky- It was great fun chowing down at the massive buffet with you!!! I wasn't even hungry for most of the following 24 hours...that place was a find!
oh yes, small pieces of pound cake dipped in chocolate :D
Now I know what to have for desert when you guys come by for the flower show.I just wish you lived closer to me! You are a very cool chick to hang out with:hippy: