Realistic Body Image - I am not conforming to society's standards

Sadly there are very few images of black beauty in the media. When you see ethnic beauty it is usually Latina or Asian. Yes we have Gabrielle Union, Sanaa Lathan, and Taraji Henson but they are "slender". On the "plus" side we have Jennifer Hudson and Monique. There aren't many images that spotlight the category in between "slender" and "plus size".

Personally I think Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Beckinsale, Charlize Theron, and many others are beautiful. However, they are all that you see. I cannot aspire to be a slender/skinny woman. It is not gonna happen. Even if I could, I don't want to look like that. 

I posted new pics on my profile of ladies with bodies that I admire. While searching for pics, I saw some posts online regarding Serena Williams in a bikini that made me want to vomit. People calling her a tranny, a monkey, etc. I think her body is fierce and the fact that she still has boobs and a butt is amazing considering how athletic she is. I have seen the same things written about First Lady Michelle Obama. Because she has hips and a butt, many feel that she's fat. Both of these woman workout on a regular basis. I don't believe they could do anything else to have better physiques other than have plastic surgery.

I love Angela Bassett's body. That woman is 50 years old and looks better than most 20 somethings.

All I know is that when I told my fiancee that I wanted to lose some weight the first thing he said was "I don't want a skinny woman so don't overdo it". I am working to be the best "healthy" me that I can be. I am 5' 1" but have never been "petite". I have always had hips and a butt. I am a size 14 now at 184 lbs. At my goal weight of 144 lbs. I am a perfect size 10. I am muscular and curvy. At my best I would look more like Serena Williams or Ki Toy Johnson in a bikini...and I am more than happy to aspire to that.

Original Post by change_in_sc:

Original Post by loriklorik:

Lorik -  You have nothing to gloat about other than being pompous. If the OP was about racial/cutural differences when it comes to obesity then your discussion would be warrented. Again with all of your stats and facts you are still not telling the black people on here anything that we don't already know about our culture. So who are you trying to "educate?"

To sum all of this up:

OP =  I know that I will never be as thin as the images of women that I see in mainstream media. I accept my body type and strive to be as healthy as possible.

Lorik = Black people are more accepting of obesity. Race and socioeconomic factors along with that acceptance are why more black women are obese.

What was the point? I was not advocating obesity. As I have stated before, I work out 7 days a week and watch what I eat fanatically. I could keep that up for years and still not be a size 4. The funny thing is when I told my white friends my goal weight, they were all like "are you sure? that seems a little small for you." I guess they accept obesity now?

huggitbear My topic was about being healthy at whatever weight that you are. I could not be underweight unless I starved myself. Just like others do not apologize for finding larger women unattractice, I do not apologize for not wanting to be an underweight woman; healthy or not.

Someone tried to subtly imply that African-American culture promotes (condones) obesity because of our acceptance of larger body ideals. It's silly idea because there are more relevant factors that cause obesity. Minda stated socioeconomic, I still hold that a simple lack of knowledge of proper diet and nutrition is the major cause of obesity. I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines). Still though, if you deal with the educational part and the socioeconomically part, it's a tough claim to make that a (cultural) social acceptance of a larger body will still lead to obesity. A stupid connection to make if you ask me. Some people are just ignorant. If they had knowledge they would understand how truly powerful it is....

Still continuing to add more pictures to your list.....

Justine Legault, Andrea Horblitt, and Keke Wyatt (my fave from this group!)

Solar....

Original Post by solareclps:

Original Post by change_in_sc:

Original Post by loriklorik:

Lorik -  You have nothing to gloat about other than being pompous. If the OP was about racial/cutural differences when it comes to obesity then your discussion would be warrented. Again with all of your stats and facts you are still not telling the black people on here anything that we don't already know about our culture. So who are you trying to "educate?"

To sum all of this up:

OP =  I know that I will never be as thin as the images of women that I see in mainstream media. I accept my body type and strive to be as healthy as possible.

Lorik = Black people are more accepting of obesity. Race and socioeconomic factors along with that acceptance are why more black women are obese.

What was the point? I was not advocating obesity. As I have stated before, I work out 7 days a week and watch what I eat fanatically. I could keep that up for years and still not be a size 4. The funny thing is when I told my white friends my goal weight, they were all like "are you sure? that seems a little small for you." I guess they accept obesity now?

huggitbear My topic was about being healthy at whatever weight that you are. I could not be underweight unless I starved myself. Just like others do not apologize for finding larger women unattractice, I do not apologize for not wanting to be an underweight woman; healthy or not.

Someone tried to subtly imply that African-American culture promotes (condones) obesity because of our acceptance of larger body ideals. It's silly idea because there are more relevant factors that cause obesity. Minda stated socioeconomic, I still hold that a simple lack of knowledge of proper diet and nutrition is the major cause of obesity. I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines). Still though, if you deal with the educational part and the socioeconomically part, it's a tough claim to make that a (cultural) social acceptance of a larger body will still lead to obesity. A stupid connection to make if you ask me. Some people just don't get enough attention at home, they need to be loved. 

Still continuing to add more pictures to your list.....

Justine Legault, Andrea Horblitt, and Keke Wyatt (my fave from this group!)

Solar....

It's a shame, cause I don't know half these women you are listing. Wish they got more exposure...Are they all models? (I know Keke Wyatt) I guess i will google them.

Tell me about it. CC's goal weight for me is 124...yea right. I am voluptuous. I am 5'3" and thick. I think 140 is good for my build.

Need cousion for the pushing!

Original Post by cellotlhicks:

Original Post by solareclps:

Original Post by change_in_sc:

Original Post by loriklorik:

Lorik -  You have nothing to gloat about other than being pompous. If the OP was about racial/cutural differences when it comes to obesity then your discussion would be warrented. Again with all of your stats and facts you are still not telling the black people on here anything that we don't already know about our culture. So who are you trying to "educate?"

To sum all of this up:

OP =  I know that I will never be as thin as the images of women that I see in mainstream media. I accept my body type and strive to be as healthy as possible.

Lorik = Black people are more accepting of obesity. Race and socioeconomic factors along with that acceptance are why more black women are obese.

What was the point? I was not advocating obesity. As I have stated before, I work out 7 days a week and watch what I eat fanatically. I could keep that up for years and still not be a size 4. The funny thing is when I told my white friends my goal weight, they were all like "are you sure? that seems a little small for you." I guess they accept obesity now?

huggitbear My topic was about being healthy at whatever weight that you are. I could not be underweight unless I starved myself. Just like others do not apologize for finding larger women unattractice, I do not apologize for not wanting to be an underweight woman; healthy or not.

Someone tried to subtly imply that African-American culture promotes (condones) obesity because of our acceptance of larger body ideals. It's silly idea because there are more relevant factors that cause obesity. Minda stated socioeconomic, I still hold that a simple lack of knowledge of proper diet and nutrition is the major cause of obesity. I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines). Still though, if you deal with the educational part and the socioeconomically part, it's a tough claim to make that a (cultural) social acceptance of a larger body will still lead to obesity. A stupid connection to make if you ask me. Some people just don't get enough attention at home, they need to be loved. 

Still continuing to add more pictures to your list.....

Justine Legault, Andrea Horblitt, and Keke Wyatt (my fave from this group!)

Solar....

It's a shame, cause I don't know half these women you are listing. Wish they got more exposure...Are they all models? (I know Keke Wyatt) I guess i will google them.

Each of these women are considered to be plus size models (Keke doesnt really model though, but she's hella fine!!!). Some of them aren't even plus size! They just aren't small enough for the industry. It's amazing how small a person has to be to fit the mold...no wonder there aren't that many black models in these magazines.....

Solar.....

Original Post by huggitbear:

You know, there is a lot of negativity about underweight on this thread, and I am finding it pretty hypocritical.  I honestly do not see the difference between underweight and overweight; they are both just as bad.  It has been said multiple times that you can be overweight and healthy.  Well, you can be underweight and healthy as well.  I see no difference between idolizing Queen Latifah versus idolizing Keira Knightley.

Hm. People are horrible to Keira Knightley,imo. People call her all sorts of names all the time. She has continuously/publicly denied accusations that she might be anorexic or have a similar ED. She blames her genes for her ultra slim figure. She sued a British tabloid newspaper for publishing an article which accused her of being anorexic and setting a bad example to young girls not so long ago. ( And won. )  Friends and family members have come to her defense. Saying: It's her genes. It's very difficult for her to keep the weight on,etc. Of course. She also has people in her family that suffered from anorexia too. I try to avoid calling anyone anorexic. It is not a synonym for "underweight". However, Keira Knightley appears to me to be very underweight. ( 15-20lbs? ) I'm not going to speculate what made her underweight, but she is.

However: Most people act as if they have more reason to be offended for being called overweight than someone that's suggested to have anorexia and /or an ED. imho

Original Post by enchantingimage:

Original Post by huggitbear:

You know, there is a lot of negativity about underweight on this thread, and I am finding it pretty hypocritical.  I honestly do not see the difference between underweight and overweight; they are both just as bad.  It has been said multiple times that you can be overweight and healthy.  Well, you can be underweight and healthy as well.  I see no difference between idolizing Queen Latifah versus idolizing Keira Knightley.

Hm. People are horrible to Keira Knightley,imo. People call her all sorts of names all the time. She has continuously/publicly denied accusations that she might be anorexic or have a similar ED. She blames her genes for her ultra slim figure. She sued a British tabloid newspaper for publishing an article which accused her of being anorexic and setting a bad example to young girls not so long ago. ( And won. )  Friends and family members have come to her defense. Saying: It's her genes. It's very difficult for her to keep the weight on,etc. Of course. She also has people in her family that suffered from anorexia too. I try to avoid calling anyone anorexic. It is not a synonym for "underweight". However, Keira Knightley appears to me to be very underweight. ( 15-20lbs? ) I'm not going to speculate what made her underweight, but she is.

However: Most people act as if they have more reason to be offended for being called overweight than someone that's suggested to have anorexia and /or an ED. imho

 When I was@ my ideal weight (134ish) I had people tell me I looked too small and to gain some of it back. Ant it was a little hurtful. I think it contributed to the mental/emotional aspect of me gaining weight back. (way too much i might add) I had worked very hard to get there, and people were haters just like they were when I was overweight. No matter what size you are people have something to say.

I have no problem with the fact that some people are naturally thin, that is fine. But I don't have a build to where I could have size 0 legs, without looking as if I was underweight. Me striving to look like Kiera is not realistic, although it might be easy and more natural for someone else to be that small. In my opinion the smallest size where I would still feel really sexy is a 4. It is a healthy place too. I feel like, as long as your BMI is good and you are making healthy choices, you should not care about people's opinions. I won't this time around :) People always have them. In the pictures I look back at, I really did look the best in a 4-6. It really is important to know that you are unique, and not a cookie cutter of someone else. And as long as you are in that healthy range, you can't worry about the negative people.

This post is just about dead, but I understand what the OP is saying from PERSONAL experience. I am black (whatever that means, but we won't get into that just now), 5'11.75 and I weigh 230, up from 215 down from 285. At 230lbs I'm wearing a size 12 (depending on how the front is cut as my bra is a 38DDD) and I'm not unhealthy but I am off the BMI chart...

I can say that I have a better body than a LOT of chicks who weigh a lot less than me. My legs are muscular and well defined and I'm convinced that a 1/4 of my weight is my boobs alone. On a fitness level, my best mile time, achieved about 2 months ago is a little over 9 minutes but for all means and purposes I am "overweight".

So what do I take to heart? My doctor who says I'm fine and even WARNED me when I got down to 218 not to lose too much more or a chart that says I have a ways to go?

As far as celebrity inspirations, I will never be a size 8 and I'm not sure I want to be a size 10, so WHY would I want my muse to be a stick?

Change - I feel ya girl...keep up the good work :)

ps - I want to know were Serena got that swimsuit so I can rock the hell out of it! THAT's the definition of baby having back...

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

Okay!  Enough!  Both of you!  Go to your rooms!

Original Post by rosieblue:

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

Okay!  Enough!  Both of you!  Go to your rooms!

 He started it!!

Original Post by rosieblue:

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

Okay!  Enough!  Both of you!  Go to your rooms!

No need for that. Some people just need more attention than they are able to get. It's understandable people are lonely and desperately want to be recognized. Don't know who didn't pat him on the head and give him a biscuit. This thread is over.....

(Solar Eclipse)

Original Post by minda_spk:

Original Post by jcl76:

Original Post by minda_spk:

jblargh: A women who is a sz 14, eats a healthy diet, exercises, and has a waist circumference less than 35 inches has NO more health risks than her slimmer counterparts.

I thought you had to have a waist circumference of less than 30 inches to be considered healthy?? Is it really 35?

 The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute suggests 88cm (34.6 inches). There are recommendations of 80 cm (31 inches), but some studies are finding lots of healthy people above that, so in reference to health risks, 35 inches is the more common measure used.

Of course it depends on height, muscle mass, body frame etc., and bmi isn't always a proper indicator if someone is in the healthy range or not.

A couple of women in her gallery are clearly overweight to a point where it could affect their health. Queen Latifah even lost some weight for her health, and that picture appears to be before the weight loss (unless she put the weight back on).

I'm not saying they don't look good, because they do. Are their weights the best for their health? I doubt it. I also just want to point out that I'm clearly not talking about all the women in her gallery.

I think it's pretty common knowledge that if you're clinically overweight it's not healthy. You're more prone to certain health risks and clearly it's not good for someone to be carrying around all that extra weight.

Original Post by solareclps:

Original Post by rosieblue:

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

Okay!  Enough!  Both of you!  Go to your rooms!

No need for that. Some people just need more attention than they are able to get. It's understandable people are lonely and desperately want to be recognized. Don't know who didn't pat him on the head and give him a biscuit. This thread is over.....

(Solar Eclipse)

 It's amazing how you stopped talking about ANY of the issues and your posts are simply now trying to just insult me. Seriously, its ok if you learn something, its ok not to know everything...your still in school, your young, your not expected to be versed in so such a range of subjects at your point....

Original Post by shizzigirl:

ps - I want to know were Serena got that swimsuit so I can rock the hell out of it! THAT's the definition of baby having back...

 

Lol! That's fantastic.

Why are people sending me hostile PMs lol? If you want to address my post can you at least make sure you respond to what I actually wrote. Hitting the quote button is useless if you do not actually read the post! Knowing something, knowing how to use it, and knowing how to use it to maximum efficiency are all independent things. Seems like a lot of people use something and just assume that it's already at maximum efficiency. Learning does everyone good, but did anyone actually learn? Was your purpose to learn or bestow knowledge? How did this thread help everyone? Hope everyone got something from this thread, knows how to use their new knowledge, and then is willing to put in the effort to learn how to apply with maximum efficiency. If that's not the reason...why bother?

Solz

P.S. Don't worry, I really don't take PMs seriously! 

Original Post by enchantingimage:

Original Post by shizzigirl:

ps - I want to know were Serena got that swimsuit so I can rock the hell out of it! THAT's the definition of baby having back...

 

Lol! That's fantastic.

 I don't know where Serena got her suit but I know you can get a nice bikini from Victoria's Secret for $19 (I have 2 that I bought in 2006). Remember it's what's in the suit that makes it ROCK.

shizzygirl you look great in your pics! Keep up the good living!

Original Post by shizzigirl:

This post is just about dead, but I understand what the OP is saying from PERSONAL experience. I am black (whatever that means, but we won't get into that just now), 5'11.75 and I weigh 230, up from 215 down from 285. At 230lbs I'm wearing a size 12 (depending on how the front is cut as my bra is a 38DDD) and I'm not unhealthy but I am off the BMI chart...

I can say that I have a better body than a LOT of chicks who weigh a lot less than me. My legs are muscular and well defined and I'm convinced that a 1/4 of my weight is my boobs alone. On a fitness level, my best mile time, achieved about 2 months ago is a little over 9 minutes but for all means and purposes I am "overweight".

So what do I take to heart? My doctor who says I'm fine and even WARNED me when I got down to 218 not to lose too much more or a chart that says I have a ways to go?

As far as celebrity inspirations, I will never be a size 8 and I'm not sure I want to be a size 10, so WHY would I want my muse to be a stick?

Change - I feel ya girl...keep up the good work :)

ps - I want to know were Serena got that swimsuit so I can rock the hell out of it! THAT's the definition of baby having back...

 

So I got curious from this post and checked out your pics and wow you have a bangin' bod. I'm so jealous. Work ittt.

So I got curious from this post and checked out your pics and wow you have a bangin' bod. I'm so jealous. Work ittt.

I agree. You carry 220 really well! How tall are you? I look a mess past 180, lol.

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

 which countries specifically?

Original Post by octo-luv:

Original Post by loriklorik:

 I truly think if proper diet and nutrition was taught in schools (starting during the primary years) the rates of obesity would plummet (across all lines).

 Thats a pretty easy one...to understand that, you just need to compare US with other countries that have similar education levels (but differ in culture and attitudes towards weight)...

Oh, but you said you dont know about non-american things...so...i can see why you think that.

 which countries specifically?

 Canada? Japan? UK? American schools have general health requirements (and I am pretty sure the others do also)...so I don't think you could say education is the problem. Unless I am totally off on the level of education these other countries receive?