No, I Am Not An Hourglass And Never Will Be
My journey to body acceptance
I'm a ruler. *2021 update, I'm not a ruler but an inverted triangle. That means I have a body that has broad shoulders and/or bust that narrow down to the hips. I do have a waistline, but by no means, I'm an hourglass. This dream has eluded me for the past 10 to 12 years. I have tried to chase, buy, and exercise my way there, but nothing has worked. My dream of the Coke bottle shape went poof last year, and I know why it happened.
Two days ago, I was on a women's forum, and someone posted a picture of Kate Upton doing a photoshoot for Sports Illustrated. The women were not criticizing her plus-size figure but her absence of a waist. Terms that were used ranged from, badly built, to a tragic body, including ironing board body, Spongebob, and unfortunate shape. From the number of thanks these posters received, one would have thought that every woman on that forum had a 22-inch waist. While I read the responses, it made me sad for the non-hourglass women on the forum and women in general.
In this age of a record number of women in Congress, women are still focused on tearing themselves to pieces because they do not fit this standard of femininity and beauty. Is this the legacy we are passing unto our daughters, nieces, and cousins? If your shape does not resemble Kim Kardashian or some photoshopped model in a magazine, you are doomed?
Sadly two years ago, I would have been snickering at the comments even though I would not have posted the nasty comments about the model. I also have desired to be an hourglass. I have tried workouts to the detriment of my knees, and education, as I know, is not possible. I went as far as purchasing expensive corsets to whittle my waistline. It wasn't until my husband yelled at me that I was crazy that I decided to give the corsets to a friend. Last year, I decided to make some YouTube exercise videos, and I saw myself on film. I was like, "not bad, you look good," I think this was my turning point, and I even wondered why I spent money and time trying to achieve a beauty standard that was the opposite of who I am.
As an Exercise Physiologist, group fitness leader, and personal trainer, my goal has been and will be, is to preach to women about getting in the best physical shape for their body type. Hopefully, one day, women will stop seeing themselves and others as unfortunate because of their body shape. Instead, they will embrace who they are from within and advertise their attributes to empower other women.
Blog hopping - love this commentary. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you and stop by soon.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! Returning the favor from the hop... LOVE your message. Body image is such an issue in our country; I know I've struggled with it for years. I'm your newest follower, and I'd love for you to follow back to keep up with each other :) Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeletexo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
www.stephanieziajka.blogspot.com
Hi Stephanie,
DeleteThanks for you comment and body issues are a struggle and it took me years to accept myself. BTW, I subscribed to your blog under SheilaS.
Oh, I love this. The people posting those comments about her probably just want to look like her themselves. A lot of times meanness is born out of hurt, pain and jealousy. She's gorgeous. And so are a bunch of other women who have varying body types...big, small, hourglass, straight....beauty truly does come in all different packages. It's so weird because I kept seeing commercials for this site today: 4everygirl.com and they talk a lot about these body issue issues.
ReplyDelete(I think you have to include www. for that url to work. At least in my browser. Sorry bout that.)
DeleteThanks for the website, I will check it out.
Deletegreat post. I think everyone at one time or another has struggled with their body shape, but everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Danielle.
DeleteWhy are we as women our own worst enemies? I have had a hard time coming to grips with my hips and thighs but in the end just want to know I am strong and healthy and am valued for my brain and spirit rather than my looks
ReplyDeleteYou are right. You don't here men criticizing each others body. It is definitely a women thing.
DeleteArrrrrgh. I too am a ruler. I never really know what to say when my girl friends say things like 'you don't have to worry about getting in shape for your wedding' - I may be skinny and not have to work for it but I don't know how to feel about that in the dominant discourse of weight loss and body hating, you know? Now that I'm older I have finally come to terms with my body - flat chest, flat nose and all.
ReplyDeleteIts kind of refreshing when you have body acceptance, it takes a load off of your shoulders.
DeleteHear! Hear! Though to be honest I'm still struggling with how I look. However, when I went to a boot camp session at a local fitness place this past Saturday, I took a good look around the room at the other women and realized that NO ONE looks like Kim K, not even the twenty-somethings.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for sharing this at Motivation Monday! Pinning and sharing!
Barb I hope you reach your own body acceptance. It is a constant struggle especially if you judge yourself with others in the media and entertainment field.
DeleteThis is a great reminder to be an INDIVIDUAL and love what we already have!
ReplyDeleteI think that has to be a mantra especially in this entertainment driven society.
DeleteThanks for linking up with us again at Medical Monday's. My shape seems to change with my weight. Some times I am an hour glass, and when I am trim I am a ruler. Doesn't seem possible, but it is!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what happened to Medical Mondays, I'm glad it is back. Right now, I have more hips due to the holidays LOL. However, that will change in a few weeks, after I lose these 4 pounds.
DeleteIt is too bad we can't just be different and like it! I think we are our own worst critic and the voices from the outside have to be silenced in order to find contentment! Thanks for the post! It is a great reminder!:) Linking up from Medical Monday!
ReplyDeleteYes, and it happens when we focus on ourselves too much. Thanks for visiting DW.
DeleteThanks for visiting! My sister and DH and kids, live in West Bloomfield, Michigan. I thought you were from another state, when you said I braved the Michigan weather.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post! Sometimes I need a nice reminder:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. We all need this reminder from time to tim.
DeleteExercise changed my life; so glad to have found your blog. Read about my fitness journey here: http://pushingonarope.com/2012/05/18/you-should-be-dancing-yeah/
ReplyDeleteCool, I will check it out.
DeleteLove the sentiments you have expressed here - body acceptance is key - and so is taking good care - I work out, but eat a ton of sweets! I'm always trying to enact: FLEVO each day:
ReplyDeleteFloss
Limited Sweets
Exercise
Vitamins
Oatmeal
It's hard to get to all 5 in one day, but I try! Found you through MM Blog Hope!
Ray Doc Wife
Thanks for visiting Lisa, I like how you have a routine posted and it has a name.
DeleteExcellent post. I think one of the hardest things for us women to do is accept our own body images. It has been drilled into us from the time we are little what "real" women are supposed to look like. So when we don't fit that mold, we are just brutal to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAcceptance is the first part, after that, we can find our happiness.
Blog Hopping from The Empowered Mama Blog Hop.
BWN, I think the media plays a huge role telling everyone what is the accepted body image. We do come in many shapes and sizes
DeleteThank you for the reminder to stop comparing myself to others! It does no good!
ReplyDeleteI had to share this post on my FB page and Google+ as I'm sure it will resonate with some people. I have an hourglass figure and always wished that I was built straight with no curves. Finally after many battles in my head I have overcome that "wishing" for something other than what was given to me and accepted that this is me and love, embrace and cherish my curves.
ReplyDeleteThank you always for your posts and sharing.
Thanks, I guess the grass is always greener....
DeleteLove it, I've come to love my body type while still focusing on the need to lose some weight. I find that important, especailly when working with fitness instructors because I've had times in the past where I was sold a diet or a dream and I'm not interested in reaching a fit type vs. being a healthy version of who I am.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Donna and I'm glad have reached body acceptance nirvana.
DeleteI am a ruler too! I've accepted it, and ironically when there is a curve somewhere (namely the belly) I feel my self esteem lower hahaha
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Elle and also welcome to the land of body acceptance.
DeleteGreat post! Everyone is different and should embrace who they are. :) #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteLove this! I am not an hourglass either...I wish we could all accept our bodies the way God made us! #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm an hourglass but I don't know what I am anymore since losing the weight LOL. I was always top heavy but now I really have no top...
ReplyDeleteWe women need to support each other and show each other love and support. It isn't easy out here and when we tear each other down it just makes it even more daunting. Everyone is beautiful in their own way - the way God intended. <3 #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post! Great attitude and way to let go of those crazy unrealistic ideals! #wowlinkup
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