Fitness and Body Image: Why we need to take care of ourselves

[Mrs. Flinger]

I recently posted on Blissfully Domestic about the importance of a healthy body image. One of the main methods to reach a healthy image is through fitness. We'll be exploring those fitness tips and why and how they curb our falling in to the trap of self-hate in future fitness posts but in this forum, I'd like to hear from you on your body image history.

Are you comfortable with who you are? Are you proud of your body? Do you see your daughters, friends, other women watching your health and lifestyle?

I certainly do and I'd hate for my three year old daughter to think she's ever fat. She's a lovely active little girl and I want her to appreciate all she can do and does. But I'm realizing it starts with me and it starts now.

[Sarah]

I never worried about my weight or body until my stepfather made a jerky comment about the freshman 15 when I was in my first year of college. From there, I was painfully aware of how I looked. While in the military, I was constantly monitored for my weight gain, and it began to rule.my.life. I didn't develop a specific eating disorder, but I adopted behaviours that I would classify as an eating disorder. I would sit in my car to eat lunch because I didn't want other people to see me eat anything. I would squirrel away food at home, even when I lived on my own. I've always been a bit stocky, but being short (4'11"), can't carry it very well. My daughter is not yet 2, and we've got another on the way in 4 weeks or so. I don't want to be fat and uncomfortable anymore, but I don't want it to rule my life either. My husband agreed to buy me a gym membership for after the baby is born, and stay with the kids a couple of nights a week so I can get out and go work out. I'm so looking forward to it! I'd love to eventually be able to go jogging again. I can visualise a healthier me, and all the benefits for me and my family that includes - that's pretty good motivation!

[Rhoda]

I'm pretty happy with my body image, although I don't think any of us ever really LOVE everything about our bodies. Sure, there are some things here and there that I'd change, but overall I've been very fortunate with staying in shape. I'm older than most of you, at 51 and have been faithfully working out for over 25 years now and can honestly say, that is the true key for me. Continuous, dedicated working out slows down the aging process more than anything else can as far as I'm concerned. I've always been a member at the gym, so I've done it all....step aerobics, spin, weight machines, free weights, all of it and the key is to just keep moving. Working out with weights is key for building muscle and strong bones and I know it has kept up my metabolism. My weight has only fluctuated about 10 lbs. in 25 years. Now with menopause around the corner, it might be a different story, but so far I'm hanging in there. Right now, spin class is my very favorite for burning the calories and I do free weights about 2 times a week, as well as walking in my neighborhood when I can. Overall, I do something 4-5 days a week.

Really....exercise is the biggest key, I think. If you can keep moving consistently without quitting and without getting burned out, it's such a great motivator for staying in shape AND feeling good about yourself. Amen!

[Krissy]

You are so right about it starting with you. I am always on a rollercoaster ride with my weight. My mom is far more obsessive. And now my 10yr old daughter is concerned about being fat. She is very, very thin already but no amount of encouragement seems to help her attitude.

So, instead of worrying my heart out about it, I decided to get involved. So, we go for walks and I encourage her to eat healthy foods. We discuss the disadvantages of fast food, although I also educate her on indulging every now and then. She loves McDonalds and I don't want her to never have it again. We just talk about moderation. We also discuss the importance of hydration and milk for healthy bones.

So far, it has helped. She is in dance and I express how important her activities are as well. And are discussions are not strictly about weight but about being healthy. I am not the most ideal role model for health, but I hope that she learns from my mistakes.