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I am 51 and weigh about 157 lbs. I am only about 10-15 lbs overweight (couldn't do my swimming for 2 weeks because it was down for repairs so I gained a couple of lbs back) but I struggle with body image. I am wearing a size 14 which is a bit too big but it is better for it to be a little big than the other way around.
I really think the reason I struggle with my body image is due to my hubby. He has always been an exercize buff and he got me into working out when we first got together as friends. He made a comment way back then that caused me to start looking at my body and feel insecure (I weighed 134 lbs back then - in 1997). So now I am trying to overcome my body image problem. The swimming works a lot- Iost 20 lbs since February just walking in the water and swimming in the warm water pool. (I have fibromyalgia and can't take cold water pools or beach water)
I must have picked this up on my E-mail as soon as you posted. LOL! I already sent you a message. I will repeat it for the group. You may want to check out Iowa Avenue. A few of us are over there. Go to IAAdmin site. She is one of us over 50 babes. You probably are way more stunning than you think. I tend to focus more on health than image. I used to fret over image. I can remember thinking I was fat when I weighed 125 pounds. What a waste of time. Now I am over weight but I find worrying over my appearance to be counter productive. I am better off to focus on doing as much healthy exercise as I can and eating healthy then being happy about it all.
Thank you for being so honest. I too have had issues with body image. I've always considered myself overweight. In recent years, I've lost a total of 80lbs. Even now, I'm not model thin, but I also don't want to be. I want to be healthy, especially as I get older. Could I exercise more? Of course. Could I be more toned? You bet ya. But, for now, I'm totally satisified with how I look.
I also know how much our life partners can influence how we look at ourselves. My X-husband never said anything about how I looked, which always bothered me. Now, I'm involved in a relationship, and he does tell me how he feels about how I look. I know he would like me to exercise more, but he wants it for my health, not for my looks.
After going from no comments to a lot of comments, I have come to the conclusion that it's me who needs to feel satisified with me. I know what I look like, what I eat, and how healthy I am, and that's all that's important. No person, husband or not, can tell me what I already know...........I'm a healthy person, who works hard, is a true friend, and who is happy. It's me, me, me.
I don't know if this will help you overcome your body image issues, but I can support you in your efforts to improve your exercise routine. I don't want the last part of this email to sound like a commercial, but my site, Iowa Avenue can help. We have people of all different sizes, shapes, genders, and occupations. No one judges anyone there. We only there to help each other achieve our weight/fitness/healthy lifestyle goals. I'm proud of what our community stands for. It's about a healthy lifestyle!
I remember my ex told me that he loved all the stretch marks and stuff (while I was married to him of course), he considered them as trophies of the wars of life. That is something I need to remember... all the stretch marks, the stretched out ab muscles, the lines on my face (which I must admit aren't really many- I use ReGenerist products) are trophies of all that I have been through in life... yes, that is good! They are not something to be ashamed of!
I never thought about it like that...........Thank you. What I am proud of are the 4 lines I have, from the 4 C-sections I had. I went through a very messy divorce, but have grown by leaps and bounds throughout the experience.
Back to body image, I think most women deal with this issue. As I've gotten older, I've discovered new passions that take up my time, so I don't have time to consider what other people think about how I look. I've discovered my opinion is the only thing that matters....................:)
