that whole "body image" thing
Has anyone not seen a write up about body image?
Yes, let's not make our young girls feel that they need to have a thigh gap. But let's also make them be active so they don't hate shopping for jeans.
I live in two industries... photography and nursing.
From the photo point of view, I have never had an unattractive client. Everyone is beautiful. That's why I don't care what your hair looks like (have you seen mine?) or if your eye make up is too heavy or light. Don't ask me about your shade of lipstick... I have no idea or opinion. Do you like it? Ok then. Be you. But I am aware of angles and what you will think when you see your photos. So I use techniques with lighting and where I stand and how I have you sit. Not to mention wardrobe choice. And if this is a group photo and you all wear black and sit together... your bodies blend together and your faces become the important part. I get it.
But from a nursing point of view... I personally don't want the special lift, joint pain, the pharmaceuticals, the avoidable issues. I want to see everyone healthy enough so that research money can go toward something else (do we really have to research what sugar and fat does?). I want to be healthy enough to combat the things that aren't lifestyle related.
Here's my personal parameters for feeling fine about the vessel that carries my imagination around:
I can donate blood. My hemoglobin is higher than 12.5 and my blood pressure and pulse are normal. I don't have to read the list of restricted medications because I don't take any. And they can find my vein without calling someone over to help... this happened. It was not cool. I had a vein... somewhere...
Now my veins are easier to find.
I can fast if a situation calls for prayer and fasting ...without passing out.
I can sit in the seat of a roller coaster or the swing ride. (I love those things)
I can run up more than one flight of stairs.
My gear belt fits around my waist.
My feet don't hurt. Or my joints.
I can carry a lot of stuff. For a long time.
I don't wake up with sheet wrinkles on my face.
I can sit 'criss-cross applesauce' on the floor.
I don't grunt when I get up.
My arm no longer falls asleep in the middle of the night when I sleep on my side.
I snore less.
I don't worry about how much weight is on the trampoline.
I can wear a pony tail holder on my wrist and it doesn't leave a deep mark.
I can have an idea for a project and my body does not keep me from doing it.
On the other hand... I still cannot wear my wedding ring. That's a goal of mine. I was told to get it expanded. Um, no. It's not like I need to fit back into the dress (size 6). Just the ring (size 7).
Here are some helpful links...
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm
http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/