During rehearsal on Monday, the company I dance with tried on costumes for our next performance.
Now, if you've been reading this blog for a while then you know the self-deprecating mess I have turned into before when it comes to costume time. But I made a promise (to you, myself, and Mr. Branflake) to stop that nonsense and appreciate the body I've been given.
Shockers of all shockers, Monday night I was actually very kind to myself.
I didn't make one negative comment about my body.
Even when I tried on a dress that was oh so not flattering at all, I was a big girl and just said,
"This dress sucks."
I told myself that my body was fine, it was the dress that had the issue.
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| photo of me taken by the lovely Susan of En Pointe Photography |
I admire all of you who have healthy body images.
I'm also grateful for those who have opened up and shared their experiences on this blog.
As I tried on costumes on Monday I kept thinking of all those comments and emails that have helped me open my eyes about the beauty of a healthy body image.
So, yes, I've come a long way since I've made a goal to love my body.
I have many people to thank for it.
Mostly you.
Thanks for understanding and helping me see a greater light.
I'm not gonna lie, I still weigh myself daily and keep tight tabs on my measurements.
But my attitude about my body has greatly shifted since I started this blog.
So thank you.
You're awesome.
More body image posts and their amazing comments here.
27 comments:
Very powerful. I'm still struggling with nearly 42 years of bad body image, eating disorders in my 20's, all the typical things. You are amazing and a credit to us all
I have a healthy body image - thanks to my mother.
I admire you for your healthy body image, Tiffany. Mine became a bit skewered a few years ago, but I'm working on correcting that, as I truly think that, without a healthy body image, it's impossible to be completely happy in any aspect of your life. :)
Tiffany, you're gorgeous. I'm glad you blamed it on the dress, and not yourself. That's a step forward, right? I feel you though, I struggle daily with the same thing.
We just got new uniforms at work and part of them consists of a half apron instead of a full one. I was pretty worried because the good thing about the full apron is that it hid my tummy.
At first I was really uncomfortable because unless you are perfectly skinny or a guy the half aprons aren't totally flattering. But I finally just gave up, told myself to suck it up and move on.
I guess I'm lucky to have a boyfriend that tells me I'm beautiful and loves my curves. It's slowly starting to sink in.
I love that you blamed it on the dress! You've probably read this post by C Jane, but if you haven't I really appreciate the perspective of Milli and how her body image changed when she moved to the US. I think in today's society it's often hard to have a healthy body image, I struggle with it too but am trying to be better.
Oops, here's the link to C Jane's post: http://www.cjanekendrick.com/2011/06/for-several-years-and-many-different.html
I struggled with healthy body image like crazy for most of my life. Only recently have I started to appreciate my body, instead of comparing it to others and wishing it was different. I just hope that I can help my daughter love her body early on, so she doesn't have to go through through the same things that I did.
And I'm glad you blamed the dress. You will always be more beautiful than any dress or costume. : )
I had some issues with my body image when I was teenager.. but not anymore. Glad to hear you overcame yours too! You're truly beautiful!
Have a lovely day dear!
xx
CrashingRED
i have a few issues... but i have learned to work around them and use what i have that i like to my advantage... i guess that's the secret to have fun... great post!
I spent years worrying about my body ... and now, I can't think why as no one else was worrying about it!
Not every dress/outfit looks great on every body type. Being skinny as a rail is not the best for outfits that require curves...and vice versa. No need to blame yourself!
Sweetie, you are so adorable and beautiful and you are doing so well. So proud of you:) Muah
You're pretty awesome, and you never would have found this positivity and perspective if you weren't.
PS–I absolutely want details!!
Body acceptance is definitely a journey!
I'm thrilled for you, I'm glad that you are being kinder to yourself and your body. I'm slowly learning to appreciate my body as well.
oh, Tif... I was actually just thinking the very , very same thing the other day - i'm so happy for those who have the healthy body images. You are beautiful - very. And I am going to email you later today.
You have a beautiful figure. You are graceful, beautiful and move effortlessly. I can imagine in the dance industry there is probably a lot of pressure to maintain a certain size, etc. So many woman would kill to have your looks and your figure!! Just KNOW that you are beautiful inside and out because it's so very TRUE! The hell with the scale... I don't even own one, those things will drive you batty! xo
Thank you for sharing your experiences on this issue that plagues so many women and girls.
I think it is wonderful that you use your blog as a platform to bring light to this subject, and as a forum for others to discuss. You are such a beautiful woman inside and out, friend!
No body is perfect and beauty fades over the years and it's sad to see women struggle with this fact. In my fifties now.. I recall self-image issues growing up. When I danced in the L.A. area in my younger years, anorexia and bullemia was very common.
I'm spent 30 years working with women in the following capacities: Nutritionist in a medical center, birthing instructor, and (currently) Dermatology and Medical Aesthetics. I've seen SOOO many women with poor self images. One of my goals over the years has been to empower women to feel better about themselves and not to go to extremes with regards to diet, exercise, or cosmetic procedures. Going easy on the body works best in the long run :)
Great post today!
Hopefully I can get to that place one day, if I'm honest I hate my body and would quite happily change it for another but that's not gonna happen do I guess I just gotta work with what I got!
You look so beautiful in that picture x x
"This dress sucks."
LOVE IT.
I so get your struggles. It's bad for most women, but the body image thing is extra awful for dancers (how many normal people look at their bodies in mirrors all day?).
I didn't reach a comfortable place with my bod until my 40s, and even so, it's still hear the same old voice nagging at me occasionally. I've just accepted that it might always be there, but that it won't dominate my life anymore.
So, let's just blame the damn dresses (or pants, or shirts!), give thanks for what we've been given, and flaunt our fabulousness!
xx
I think many women have gone through this at one point. I have become happy and have a much healthier body image than I used to be. I think my family has really helped in that arena growing up: on what is beautiful and not what society tells me is. You are beautiful dear. -xo
well i am glad your body image has improved! i think most of us need help in that department!
boyfriend always compliments my body, and i always tell him is crazy. but it is so sweet of him to say those things, and i think he actually means it. so, it helps improve my attitude/body image a little bit. :)
way to go! loving yourself will just bring moire love back into your life. I need to get better at it myself, so thank you for this post, as it makes me think of how to be happy with what I've got :)
You're awesome, Tiffany. While I don't have a completely healthy body image, I know that certain dresses and shapes flatter my body much more than other ones. I'm at the point where I can say things either do flatter my body or don't -- and not be hard on myself when they don't.
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