I want the perfect body… We hear it so often don’t we? but what is the perfect body anyway?
Big boobs, small waist, big hips and ass? It’s funny because body ideals change in the media so frequently. It was only a few years ago that being waif-like, modelesque, dainty and feminine was the ideal but now it seems that muscles are sexy especially with the explosion of booty building and booty plans!
Women’s ‘Perfect Body’ types have changed throughout history and what we see portrayed in the media appears to be a reflection of this. We only have to cast our minds back over the past 100 years to see this.
The 50s saw the rise of the hourglass whereas the 60s celebrated the twig, the 70s was all about disco queens in bell bottoms and the 80s saw supermodels with legs for days at the fore – lets fast forward to the present day…..
It’s wonderful that my body type is being celebrated but I do not consider my body to be a trend or something that will go out of style. This is why I feel it is important to celebrate all body types as everybody is different and that is what makes the world such a beautiful place.
The way that society is set up now it makes it very difficult for women to be body confident. Especially in this day and age with the trappings of social media and the constant barrage of #BodyGoals its very difficult for women to accept their natural physique.
I, like every woman, have struggled with body confidence, not because of any external influences but more about how I felt within myself.
I have been on a journey with my body from being very curvy and a size 12/14 to dropping down to a size 6 (pictured below). The truth is when I was at my curviest (10 stone 13) I would complain about my stomach, cellulite and want to lose weight but equally when I was at my slimmest (8 stone 7) I would complain that I could see my collar bone, hip bones and had lost my curves.
At each stage I would still get compliments on my figure from friends and strangers, but I would never appreciate it to believe them.
When I lost all the weight and became quite what I consider to be very skinny I was actually the unhappiest I have ever felt with my body. I used to hide away and hated the fact that my clothes were hanging off me. When I was chunkier I did find that I used to wear clothes that used to hide my bum to avoid getting unwanted attention – but found during my skinny days I would have given anything to have that issue again.
Each pound I put back on I appreciated and loved watching the number on the scale creep back up. Upon reflection I have learned to appreciate my body shape at each and every stage. I have also come to acknowledge that I am more than my looks and my body has a very important job to do.
It’s so easy to get caught up at what others are doing online especially with the explosion of social media. For me personally I feel like we really don’t know the reality of these considered to be a #Fitspo or #BodyGoals, their situation or how they got that body, whether that’s diet exercise or surgery. An important thing to remember is also the tricks and techniques (we can all be guilty of) used to show the body in the best possible way – (It’s all about the angles baby!)
My fitness journey has made me appreciate my body and what it can do. I exercise because it is something that I enjoy and helps to keep my body healthy and strong. I have found that my mindset has altered this year and my approach to my body is now 100% about how I feel and what makes me happy.
Happy, Healthy Strong – That’s my perfect body.
It is so important to love yourself at every single stage, after all your body is a beautifully designed engine and has such as important job.
To conclude there is no such thing as the perfect body – don’t let anybody make you feel like you are unworthy because – You are beautiful!
I would love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave a comment below and share with a friend using the share buttons.
Love always
Jay ?
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