Body Image (SD)

[lily.]

Whilst munching on my biscuit, I came up with a new debate idea: Body Image.

- Are we obsessed with it?
- Does the media make us that way?
- Do we judge others on how they look?
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
- What do men really think about women's weight?
- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

Discuss..

[~Kizwiz~]

- Are we obsessed with it?
Society is far too obsessed with body image. You just have to look at the models the use in the media. Thin is beautiful in their eyes. What gets me is that young girls are now believing that in order to be accepted you have to be a size 8. I know somebody who told their 9 year old daughter to suck in her tummy as it doesnt look good. This is ridiculous.....she is 9 for gods sake.

- Does the media make us that way?
Yes..... see above

- Do we judge others on how they look?
I hope I dont, I went through years of starving myself to be thin. Now I know that most men prefer a little meat on their ladies.

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
It gets me that people think,... oh well.. I've tried to diet, i'll have it sucked out by cosmetic surgery..... Jesus Christ..... what sort of a world do we live in when people dont know this could have serious implications on your health.

- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
Tricky one, I am at a weight now where i feel happy...... not skinny but not overweight. I lost 3 and a half stone since having my daughter 2 and a half years ago. I'm about the size I was just before i fell pregnant with her. Before that... i had just been promoted in a highly stressful job. The stress I was under lead to me not eating. I lost far too much weight and I didnt feel good.

- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
Some men yes..... but most dont like to go to bed with a woman who looks like a coat hanger. A nice round bottom does wonders :wink:

- What do men really think about women's weight?
Ask Red moon

- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?
Yes..... fad diets are rubbish..... sensible eating is the key

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?
We should.... but unfortunately the majority of women are not happy with they way they look.

[Legend]

- Are we obsessed with it? Do bears $hit in the woods? People are obsessed with it definatly, everyone is always doing something to try and change how they look.
- Does the media make us that way? It does to a lot of people yeah, a lot of people look at the stick thin celebrities and want to look like them. Other want to get in shape for themselves and for health reasons.
- Do we judge others on how they look? Yeah, you always judge somebody just by one look at them. Everyone does it, okay not everyone but the majority. I know i do, i shouldn't but i do.
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues? Yeah definatly, as i said people are more interested in looking like the celebrities and making their 'assets' bigger and better rather than concentrating on their health and wanting to do it for their health.
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight? Personally i'd rather be underweight. I think it would be harder to lose weight than put it on so therefore i'd rather be underweight.
- Do women think men want them to be skinny? Yeah i think they do and it's probably because the majority of them do want women to be skinny so it's not in their heads, it's true.
- What do men really think about women's weight? All men are different, some women have the same view on mens weight. It's not all about them men wanting the women skinny, it's the other way around too. Women are just as bad as to 'wanting a skinny man/woman'.
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal? No. If you want to change your body and your determined enough to do so then i don't see why they should just be satisfied, if you want to look better and you were willing to put the effort in then go for it.

[BigSister]

- Are we obsessed with it?

Yes I think we are
- Does the media make us that way?
On to my next point i dont think the media helps with too skinny people on front of magazines and on tv
- Do we judge others on how they look?
I think we do yeah
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
At the moment in time yes
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
Thats a difficult 1 i would rather be overweight but some people would disagree
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
Not all the time no
- What do men really think about women's weight?
- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?
Yes

[lily.]

I would like to think that I want to lose weight for health reasons, but I must be honest, I want to lose weight so I can look better.

Yet, overall, I'm not a shallow person. So, how come I have that viewpoint?

[Ella]

Well I for one am not to bothered about the way I look, But at the same time I won't leave the house without putting my face on! I like to dress well and look good, But I want to look good for me not anyone else.

I think it's fair to say that catwalk models are mostly to blame for young girls and eating disorders IMO, They are so so so skinny and you can literally see there ribcage and bones sticking out, On the news the other day there was a big thing about the government or something trying to ban such models from catwalks.

I'd rather be overweight then underweight to be honest, Men like girls with a bit of meat on them! Ain't that right lads!?

I know a lot of girls that try diets and try losing weight just to impress men, and I think that's just sad, I mean we don't owe Men anything!

I know a girl that turned annorexic because a lad ina club said she had a fat arse, wether he was joking or not, It's comments like this that make some girls have eating disorders.

I got to be honest though, I do judge people on how they look..Its human nature I think, I mean if I saw a overweight person I'd think to myself ''Jeez there rather large'' but I don't mean it in a mean way, just stating the obvious, and what the person probably already knows.

[Sophii3x]

- Are we obsessed with it? Yes
- Does the media make us that way? Yes. By printing skinny celebs and calling curvy girls fat on magazines
- Do we judge others on how they look? I think too much. I don't personally
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight? Neither. I'm in between, but I do have a lot of issues. I am size 10/12 but I do what to be a size 8
- Do women think men want them to be skinny? Yes. But in reality most men want curvy girls
- What do men really think about women's weight? Not sure!
- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con? Yes, they are taking atvantage of people's insicurities
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal? I depends

[Psylocke]

- Are we obsessed with it?

I think everyone to an extent has serious self body obsession one time in there life.But as a public,god yes,body image is nearly everything now.


- Does the media make us that way?

Check out any week in heat etc,one page Nicole Richie is too skinny,next page Britney is too fat,they send out these horrible mixed messages,but the sad thing is the public as a whole are so obsessed with it these issues fly off the shelves,get talked over the water cooler and scrutinised.Women have it worse off tho.

- Do we judge others on how they look?

Definatly,and im sure cavemen did the same,part nature part nurture as they say.

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

Cosmetice side 99%.unless you have been specfically told about a health cause.everyone wants to look nice,but when an health issue comes in,there is prioritys.


- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

Simply and sadly. Yes

- Do women think men want them to be skinny?

I hope not,because men dont want Mischa Barton or Nicole Richie,they want Jordan and Jennifer Lopez

- What do men really think about women's weight?

See above,They want Tits and Ass not Skin and Bones,That said naturally thin girls are very sexy to men too,but not these unnatural skeletons walking around

- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?

Yes.Gym and Veggys is an easy affordable start.all this diet shite is a con.

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

Im gonna be hypocritical by saying no coz it would be a lie
,because i want to be perfect,and i work damn hard for it.I stay healthy (mostly) and there is nothing the matter with striving to be "perfect" as long as you kepp healthy.Being perfect is a state of mind anyway.

[The_Hitman]

What do men really think about women's weight?



First and foremost, being overweight isnt attractive. Generally (though certain men like it). I reckon women have a misconception about what is overweight. I think it is a medical thing which states whether you are 'overweight' or not so you can probably find out the numbers from a doctor. One thing for certain is that a lot of women who are NOT anywhere near overweight, convince themselves otherwise, and this is just a mental issue they need advice about resolving.

I think another problem is that people, and women in particular, have an image in their head of what they want to look like. Thats silly and should be ignored, but try telling that to them.

My personal preference is for a woman/girl to be fit and healthy. Fit body, but not muscular, just fit. Not skinny. If you are carrying a bit of fat around its ok as long as theres a fit body underneath.

Too skinny isnt good. Niether is fat without muscle.

In my opinion, fit and healthy is all you need to aim for.

[Ruth]

Are we obsessed with it?

Yes.

Does the media make us that way?

Well, I definitely don't think it helps. Magazines like Heat etc., send out conflicting messages. One week they are calling people like Charlotte Church good role models for having a 'proper' figure, the next week they are saying she's chubby.

Do we judge others on how they look?

I think a lot of people do.
Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

Sadly, I think a lot of people are more concerned with the cosmetic side. I know lots of people who keep fit so that they keep slim, but if they could do no exercise and much chocolate all day, yet still stay slim, they would - even though it would be bad for their health.

Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

Again, sadly I think most women would.

Do women think men want them to be skinny?

Mostly yes. But I think most women think that slim is thinner than most men think it is.

What do men really think about women's weight?

Not as much as women do!!

Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?

It is absolutely a con. If it wasn't a con, everybody who ever went on a diet endorsed by this industry would lose weight and never need to diet again. Most dieters put back on all the weight they have lost, and more. A woman I work with is going back to Weight Watchers for about the 10th time (I'm not exaggerating). She says the meeting is full of people who have lost weight with WW and put it all back on again, so they go back. If it worked, why would they keep needing to go back again?

Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

Well, to an extent yes. But being overweight is not healthy, and there is a real obesity problem in the UK. In years to come, the NHS will not be able to cope. In 2005, the NHS spent twice as much treating people with problems related to obesity than they did treating those with smoking related diseases.

Unfortunately though, there are too many people who are a perfectly healthy weight, who are obsessed with trying to get thinner. I used to have an eating disorder years ago, so I know exactly what this feels like. These days I am a healthy weight. I eat sensibly (90% of the time) and exercise regularly. I'm a size 10-12, which is normal and healthy, but for many people, that simply wouldn't be thin enough.

[Psylocke]

Do women think men dont worry about there bodys as much as women?

[Lauren]

Yes, we are most certainly obsessed with it - to unhealthy limits. I am happy to put most of the blame firmly on the media/model agencies shoulders. The restrictions for models these days is horrendous - forcing models to be under a certain weight which can cause damage to their bodies. Young girls then feel that they are overweight (When they are, infact, normal). This can then lead to a dangerous path where no-one has self esteem and so they can get ED's.

Personally, the only time I will make a statement on someones weight is if they look too thin, and I have found myself saying to my friends "Oh my god, you can see her ribs!" - whereas if I saw someone that was overweight I wouldn't really pass judgment on them.

Weight problems usually start at a young age and so they develop as we go into adult life. It's a no win situation, however - because no matter how much weight we lose we see thinner models on the TV and strive to be like them (mainly for cosmetic reasons - because you're not good enough unless you're thin, is what the media is telling us).

I think men want women to be skinny, it's very rare a man would see an overweight woman on the TV and think she is attractive - although I'd probably say this is the way they are socialised - and thinner women are more socially acceptable to fancy.

Not only this, but I also think the diet plans that are out there just put onto this problem. All of those diets are telling people that they're constantly not good enough and they must further strive to lose weight by using their specific diets - this can cause further pressure. I think the only way to alleviate this problem is for the media to stop putting emphasis on weight, and glorifying super-slim celebs.

Most of my post was about women, but the same applies to men. Many men are pressurised into looking muscular, with a "v" shaped back and a six pack. In reality what kind of men look like this? It's not just muscles either cos in other occupations like if you want to become a Jockey - you have to be under a certain weight then as well - this has already proven to lead to anorexia.

[Emilee]

We are what we are, and unless you really work at something, you (usually) can't change it.
As for being Obsessed with body image, i think most of the world does care about how they look and how much they weigh. With Magazines influancing young girls and women on how models look, it really can put you down. Anorexia and Obesity are both bad for your health so it is always good to be inbetween. Size 0 models, in my opinion should be banned from the catwalk and modelling full stop, as they are advertising ill health and anerxia.

I'm not sure what men really think about a womans body image. bt i am sure they prefare curvy girls to these stick thin models. I think judging people on how they look is wrong, its whats on the inside that counts. The world has become absolutley crazy about body image and, it really isn't that much of a big deal as long as you feel comfortable with yourself, and in your own skin.

Setting goals for yourself is always good as long as you take it one step at a time and not try to achieve the impossible.

[easypeasy]

i like women to be soft and cuddly rather than a bag of bones, size 16-18 is attractive to me but i wouldnt rule out a bigger ladies ability to turn my head. Theres something about Fern Britain that is sexy, i guess its a nice smile and gsoh that really matters.
It is sad that females are made to feel obscene if they dont have the physique of a small boy....

[lily.]

Originally posted by Psylocke
Do women think men dont worry about there bodys as much as women?

Good question. I was originally going to aim this thread at women, because I wasn't sure if men do worry about their body as much as women. I guess some do, but I figured that most don't. Then I left it open for debate instead.

So, to all the males here, do you worry about your body as much as we do? You now know we females are pretty much obsessed with it ... so .. what about the males?

[lily.]

Originally posted by easypeasy
... It is sad that females are made to feel obscene if they dont have the physique of a small boy....

Absolutely. I have horrendous body image issues. I always have done, and while I could certainly stand to lose some weight just now, that wasn't always the case. Yet I have always felt fat. It's just wrong isn't it?

[easypeasy]

yep, men are under the same kind of pressure nowadays. a pressure created by a marketing agency to sell crap. im not happy with my body, and it genuinely does depress me sometimes.

[lily.]

Yeah, I can relate to that. You do begin to obsess over it at times, and the worst part for me is that my husband has absolutely no issue with how I look. He does not see me in the same way that I see me. Not that I would prefer him to say, "get on a diet ya fat cow", but you know what I mean. I don't understand why he doesn't see the flaws that I see.

[easypeasy]

maybe he just loves you the way that you are, thats a good thing and doesnt need intense psychological dissection. :thumbs:

[lily.]

Yeah, I know. That's the straightforward way to look at it, but I am a woman, and alas, don't always take the straightforward option! :spin:

edit: Plus, I wasn't skinny when we met all those years ago. I wasn't fat either. My point is.. I wasn't a size 8 back then and a size 16 now. I am probably around the same size I was back then.. give or take half a stone.

[Lauren]

I think if we did a poll about how happy people are with their bodies, we will find that not many people will be 100% happy with them. I'm certainly not happy with mine, and although I know I'm not fat... I'm certainly not thin.
It's probably a sad statistic to know that 90%+ of the UK are unhappy with themselves in terms of looks rather than focusing on positive aspects of their personality and how they treat others.

[easypeasy]

I class myself as being quite in touch with my feminine side and think i scored 66% feminine on your quiz thingy in fun and games..........at times like this i feel most certainly male though. hehe.
Its hard work trying to convince a woman she is attractive when there is so much crap out there trying to make her insecure and profit from that insecurity.

[Psylocke]

I think men worry just as much about there bodys as women,And in an unhealthy way like women do,except instead of saying my arse is too big ,its why cant i get a six pack like him .Its the same issue but with different goals.

I mean,what guy wouldnt like to look like the sexy Ryan phillipe in your sig stropz.

Plus in some ways its easier for girls,because they can do alot with Hair and Makeup,guys dont have those options.

[lily.]

Of course psylocke my response to that is.. we don't care if you look like Ryan Phillippe, but I guess that's just the same as easypeasy was saying about trying to convince women that they look good.

Just shows that we all have insecurities.

[Sophii3x]

In my magazine there was this story

A girl called Sophie from North Wales who was 19 died in hospital last Christmas..
Because for years she idolized Victoria Beckham, became obsessed with her own weight. Secretly went on crash diets to look like her and at 4 stone, died of anorexia.

It's terrible

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Stropz
I can see "skins" covering this subject soon to be honest. That's obviously where they are going with the Cassie storyline. I just hope it's handled well.

I doubt they'll handle it well. They bombed on the self-harm issue, and the OCD issue - making jokes of both of them. But we shall see.

The media has a big influence this day in age and it needs to handle this responsibility well.

[lily.]

Yeah Lauren, unfortunately it's entertainment before responsibility usually isn't it.

I can understand that it's a comedy and meant to be entertaining, but it's a great platform for awareness.

[Bells]

Nowadays everyone, and IMO I think teens especially, are so concerned with body image, it's unbelievable. Of course you hear stories about those people who just don't seem to care and keep putting on weight and becoming obese; there was this one story of a person in America who put on so much weight because she never ever moved from her sofa...so she practically ended up getting stuck to it and had to be taken to hospital on her sofa!

Obviously stories like these are extreme, but generally speaking eating disorders are absolutely everywhere in the Western world today. It's quite sad in some cases because in Third World countries people are thin, sickly and starving and don't get enough nutrients at all, whereas in the countries where people do tend to get this privilege, the availability of food and nutrients is often abused.

The media plays such a huge part in the minds of young people. Constantly youngsters - girls generally, but youngsters as a whole in fact - compare themselves to celebrities, role models, anyone they may look up to not only for their talent but more and more increasingly it's becoming image-wize as well. The representation today of girls as stick thin with flawless skin and lovely hair (not to mention their beautiful faces) is so unrealistic.

Sadly I know about a handful of girls with eating disorders, and it makes me feel so bad. . I won't deny having had self-conscious issues myself - most people do, I'm sure - and we all have the occasional thought, 'Oh I'm too fat', 'I'm too thin,' saying you need to eat more or less - we all do it. But we shouldn't let it take over our lives! Especially not teenagers - at the end of the day, they're growing until they've reached the age of perhaps 21 - so bodies develop and change! Besides, it's unhealthy to lose too much weight in one go.

It's all about trying to be comfortable in your own skin, not being stick-thin for purposes even you aren't sure about.

[Sunny_01]

- Are we obsessed with it?

I think that as a society we are indeed obsessed with it - I know as an individual I am. I spent a number of years so unhappy at how over weight I was

- Does the media make us that way?

Hmm not sure if it is the media alone that does it to us, I think that there will always be people you look at and think, yep I want to look like that which is where the obsession begins. I do think that the media adds to the pressures people are faced with to look a certain way

- Do we judge others on how they look?

Without a doubt, whether we acknoledge it or not. We are programmed to identify with people that look a certain way, not everyone finds each other attractive which is where the judgement comes into play. If they dont fit into the zone we find attractive then we are likely to judge them, not necessarily deliberatly but none the less judged they will be.

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

I pretty much think it is the how we look thing that comes first. Health falls into a weary 2nd place for most.

- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

From my own personal point of view and having been at both ends of the spectrum I would rather be over weight.
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?

I think that some still do yet my hubby made it clear that at one point he found me too thin, he will happily tell me he likes me with more meat and I think that is a common misconception women have.

- What do men really think about women's weight?

Dunno not a blokey!!! but my man likes curves!:thumbs2:

- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?

I do, the only time I have been succesful and maintained a healthy weight is when I developed my own healthy eating regime

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal

Thats a tough one to throw at anyone, I think that we should aspire to be happy in our skin whatever weight that might mean we will be :wavey:

[xGemmax]

Are we obsessed with it?

Yes some people are. And i suppose I'm included =[

- Does the media make us that way?

To an extent. But it's not all one sided, magazines bash skinny people more than they do fat people. Im so sick of hearing about skinny celebrities i dont even buy them any more, well only fashion ones

- Do we judge others on how they look?

Everyone does, even if they won't admit it

- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?

Both i think, although i stress more over the cosmetic/appearence side

- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?

Underweight without a doubt. And i think most people would agree with me

- Do women think men want them to be skinny?

No, i dont think so. I don't care what men want, i will look how i want to look. I think most women actually think men prefer larger girls, when actually it is the complete opposite

- What do men really think about women's weight?

I think they care. I'm convinced those Heat body surveys are made up, accorsing to them most men love cellulite :conf:

- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?

No, not at all

- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

What is impossible about wanting to lose weight? There is nothing wrong with having goals and wanting to better yourself, not only with appearence but with anything in life

[Siouxsie]

Definately obsessed. Too many glossy mags out there with skinny models on. I eat healthy to try and stay fit , to look nice. But i think there is far to many kids obsessed with the film star look.Especially in the school i teach.I think girls are the worst, trying to compete against each other.

[Kizzy]

I'm bumping this because I'm wondering if attitudes have changed, my daughter and I were discussing this tonight and I also think I get a bit obsessive.
Some of the posts in here are excellent too :D

[Kyle]

My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics.

It has a high suicide rate because people are often so disgusted with parts of their body that they don't like they feel they can't go out in public it's terrible.

It's a shame because I've known a few people with BDD and they aren't even ugly at all, but you can't tell them that at all because their core beliefs are so deeply entrenched in their minds mothing you say will make any difference at all.

It isn't a 'woman's problem' either, it's pretty equal amongst the sexes. In fact my therapist told me she sees slightly more men than women.

****Edit: I've just properly read the thread and it seems more geared towards weight than actual looks.

I find it a shame that some women feel the need to try to be ultra skinny like they look on all the adverts/ cosmetic mags etc. the amount of people I've tried to convince that men prefer women (excuse my phrase here) with a little 'meat on the bone' is unreal.

I find it hard to blame them though, I know when questioned people tend to say 'huh I don't pay attention to the media yadda yadda yadda' but it must be hard for a woman to be bombarded on a daily basis with all these fads telling you basically in a subliminal way 'your not worth it unless you look like this/ weigh only that etc.

Ladies, if you are under the impression that men will only like you if your skinny then please try to change your thinking. It's inbuilt in a man to look for good child bearing hips and a healthy look. Real women look like models from simply B adverts and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

[Ammi]

My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics.

It has a high suicide rate because people are often so disgusted with parts of their body that they don't like they feel they can't go out in public it's terrible.

It's a shame because I've known a few people with BDD and they aren't even ugly at all, but you can't tell them that at all because their core beliefs are so deeply entrenched in their minds mothing you say will make any difference at all.

It isn't a 'woman's problem' either, it's pretty equal amongst the sexes. In fact my therapist told me she sees slightly more men than women.

****Edit: I've just properly read the thread and it seems more geared towards weight than actual looks.

I find it a shame that some women feel the need to try to be ultra skinny like they look on all the adverts/ cosmetic mags etc. the amount of people I've tried to convince that men prefer women (excuse my phrase here) with a little 'meat on the bone' is unreal.

I find it hard to blame them though, I know when questioned people tend to say 'huh I don't pay attention to the media yadda yadda yadda' but it must be hard for a woman to be bombarded on a daily basis with all these fads telling you basically in a subliminal way 'your not worth it unless you look like this/ weigh only that etc.

Ladies, if you are under the impression that men will only like you if your skinny then please try to change your thinking. It's inbuilt in a man to look for good child bearing hips and a healthy look. Real women look like models from simply B adverts and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

[Kyle]

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

Did you just accuse my post of being damaging?


Sorry I'm not having that. My post was intended to give a males perspective that it's a fallacy that women have to be skinny for men to like them. Of course when I say 'men like' you pick up on that and assume I mean every single man on the planet with no exceptions.

How about this then? A lot of men prefer women with meat on their bone as opposed to the unhealthy modelesque look.

[arista]

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

[Verbal]

I'm bumping this because I'm wondering if attitudes have changed, my daughter and I were discussing this tonight and I also think I get a bit obsessive.
Some of the posts in here are excellent too :D

Oh Kizzy, look what you did!

[x-evenstar-x]

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

What do you mean by "what dies your GP say?"

[x-evenstar-x]

..I agree, it isn't a 'woman's problem' at all..people of both genders can have issues with how they look on the outside but I will say and also stress that I don't think you meant this to be so...but it really does help when people say things like, oh heterosexual men prefer a curvy lady type thing or the same could be said of a female saying they like a specific 'body shape' with a male..I know we probably all do it to some extent and we all have different things that we personally would deem as 'physically attractive'....anyway, not everyone strives to be 'slim' some people just are and actually if they strive for anything, it's often to be curvy and put on weight but for them it can be equally as difficult as some people find to lose it...and they too have body image issues...some people like slim people..some people like curvy/cuddly people...there are all sorts of reasons why we're attracted to someone and not all of those reasons are physical...for me personally, actually the physical part would be at the very bottom of my 'list'..(if I had one.)....but just kind of 'lumping' preferences together by saying things like...ladies, men prefer child bearing hips to a bone or whatever can be just as damaging to someone's self esteem and body image then anything else in this thread...and if the person saying it also has body image issues, then it makes them equally guilty of being part of 'perceptions' that help create these insecurities in people....

..sorry, if this seems blunt because it's not meant to, I just have work soon so I'm rushing.....

I see where you are coming from and you make a fair point, but there is more stigma around being over weigh as apposed to being under weight, especially in pre-teens and teens!

Simple minds was just stating a point irrelevant of the fact that he has body image issues.

[Kyle]

"My mental illness is completely related to body image and aesthetics."


What does your GP say?

My GP referred me to a CBT therapist who evaluated me then assigned me a specialist. GP's aren't really equipped to deal with things like this (nor should they by the way).

Anyone else who is on this forum reading this and feels like they spend far too much time in front of a mirror obsessing over how they look to the point of it being detrimental to their life (up to 2% of the population are said to have it) go see your GP. It really will help you in e long run!

[mizzy25]

Are we obsessed with it?
possibly yes
- Does the media make us that way?
I don't think so
- Do we judge others on how they look?
yes
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
Yes
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
Ive been underweight and looked like the walking dead but it was good to have a flat stomach so prob underweight
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
I have no idea as that wouldn't concern me
- What do men really think about women's weight?
again no idea
- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?
Not really if its more about healthy eating
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?
No as it gives us something to aim for

[mizzy25]

Have to say I rarely even look in a mirror unless im getting ready etc as I already know I have a fat stomach.

[Verbal]

Have to say I rarely even look in a mirror unless im getting ready etc as I already know I have a fat stomach.

I don't even have a mirror in the house

[Kyle]

I don't even have a mirror in the house

You see, the thought of that would scare the sh*t out of me.

[Verbal]

You see, the thought of that would scare the sh*t out of me.

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees :joker:

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess :joker:

[Kyle]

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees :joker:

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess :joker:

:joker:

[Kizzy]

What have I started indeed lol!
You are not a turd verbal! :nono:

I think it has gotten a lot worse over the past few years, the battle over the fast food nation has been lost.
Conversely parents and children are being bombarded with information that the BMI scale is key to labelling yourself as 'fat' I don't feel this should ever be accepted.
I have come to the realisation that I have an issue with 'fat' people. Being an ex drinker that is carrying more weight than I should that manifests as self loathing.... which isn't nice.

[Kazanne]

I just gave up caring about how I looked a long time ago to be honest, as long as my hair is flat I don't care. As i've said before, you can't polish a turd. I'd rather have the deluded image of myself thats in my head rather than the reality that everyone else sees :joker:

I more than make up for it in other areas where I am a neurotic mess :joker:

Verbal,you are a lovely person,well that's what I get from chatting to you,you make me laugh and I am sure you do yourself down unnecessarily,:lovedup::hug:

[Kyle]

Verbal,you are a lovely person,well that's what I get from chatting to you,you make me laugh and I am sure you do yourself down unnecessarily,:lovedup::hug:

I agree 100%

[Nedusa]

I'm seeing an awful lot of new Posters posting to this thread but when I look at most of them in more detail they are actually all long time posters...

Good to see so many new "faces" back here..........now Body Image ???

[Kyle]

I'm seeing an awful lot of new Posters posting to this thread but when I look at most of them in more detail they are actually all long time posters...

Good to see so many new "faces" back here..........now Body Image ???

Good to see a Farscape fan too! :thumbs2:

[Nedusa]

Good to see a Farscape fan too! :thumbs2:

My favourite Sci-Fi show just edging out Star Trek TNG....!!!!!

[Kyle]

My favourite Sci-Fi show just edging out Star Trek TNG....!!!!!

I liked Rigel and his toxic farts :joker:

[Verbal]

*curtseys*

Thank you

[mizzy25]

verbal if u have no mirror @ all how do u know your hair is flat? most of the time my hair is a mess but to see just how bad it is I have to sometimes look in a mirror.

[Verbal]

verbal if u have no mirror @ all how do u know your hair is flat? most of the time my hair is a mess but to see just how bad it is I have to sometimes look in a mirror.

I usually have it shaved, so its ok for a couple of months, don't have to even touch it. When its starting to grow back as it is now I just flatten it down with a towel. Run my hand over it to see its flat and away I go. I've got a brush...somewhere. I should probably find it. :joker:

[the truth]

Whilst munching on my biscuit, I came up with a new debate idea: Body Image.

- Are we obsessed with it?
- Does the media make us that way?
- Do we judge others on how they look?
- Are we more concerned about the cosmetic side of being overweight or underweight than the health issues?
- Would we rather be underweight than overweight?
- Do women think men want them to be skinny?
- What do men really think about women's weight?
- Do you think the £Billion diet industry is a con?
- Should we be satisfied with how we look instead of striving for an impossible goal?

Discuss..

Its the most boring thing in the world. It seems to be 99% of it is a problem created by women for women mainly. Yet of course men get blamed but theyre not even involved and their opinion is never even sought.

Yes of course its all a con.

[Ninastar]

So this is is something I'm very opinionated on.

Body image in this modern day and age is probably one of the biggest problem for most children/teenagers/adults (literally everyone)...

I think it's entirely the media's fault. All of these womens magazines saying celebrities are putting weight on (when they are no bigger than size 10) and making young girls (and males) feel even worse about how they look. I remember (and I will always remember this) reading an article saying how Vanessa Hudgsens had a beer belly and that she needs to watch out... And she was probably a size 8 or less. It was disgusting. I was only 15 at the time and luckily I knew it was an awful comment.

I also blame hollywood. (God, if you know anything about me, this is one of my biggest hates). All of the movie/tv stars have to look a certain way, otherwise you don't to well in the industry. It's full of ageist, racist and homophobic people (i wouldn't know the word for being against how big you are... ima call it sizeist) and it sets a terrible example for younger people. So many people have surgery (boob jobs everywhere) and you just think... no wonder there's so many people depressed with how they look when this idea of 'perfection' is most likely fake. I hate it.

as for dieting and the £££ spend on it, I have mixed feelings about this. I believe it's entirely up to you how healthy you want to be. I think it's alright to spend money on healthy eating campaigns - especially those aimed at families, but what I don't understand is why unhealthy, fatty food is so expensive and healthy, fresh produce is so expensive... trying to get a country to eat healthily when it costs so bloody much is ridiculous imo. it's a lost battle.

[the truth]

So this is is something I'm very opinionated on.

Body image in this modern day and age is probably one of the biggest problem for most children/teenagers/adults (literally everyone)...

I think it's entirely the media's fault. All of these womens magazines saying celebrities are putting weight on (when they are no bigger than size 10) and making young girls (and males) feel even worse about how they look. I remember (and I will always remember this) reading an article saying how Vanessa Hudgsens had a beer belly and that she needs to watch out... And she was probably a size 8 or less. It was disgusting. I was only 15 at the time and luckily I knew it was an awful comment.

I also blame hollywood. (God, if you know anything about me, this is one of my biggest hates). All of the movie/tv stars have to look a certain way, otherwise you don't to well in the industry. It's full of ageist, racist and homophobic people (i wouldn't know the word for being against how big you are... ima call it sizeist) and it sets a terrible example for younger people. So many people have surgery (boob jobs everywhere) and you just think... no wonder there's so many people depressed with how they look when this idea of 'perfection' is most likely fake. I hate it.

as for dieting and the £££ spend on it, I have mixed feelings about this. I believe it's entirely up to you how healthy you want to be. I think it's alright to spend money on healthy eating campaigns - especially those aimed at families, but what I don't understand is why unhealthy, fatty food is so expensive and healthy, fresh produce is so expensive... trying to get a country to eat healthily when it costs so bloody much is ridiculous imo. it's a lost battle.


sorry but Ive heard everything you've said 10001 times and it doesn't move anything forward

It seems to me that the body image youre talking about in magazines is more a problem crated by women mainly for women
I don't consider it a serious issue compared to many others, serious health issues terminal diseases, disability, poverty etc etc

I don't think its anything to do with homophobia either. maybe some movies affect peoples perceptions, but theyre just movies, people get blown up , shot every which way, inject drugs, terrorism in movies...but sensible people realise its just crazy entertainment, its not reality.

its mainly women creating peer pressure on fellow women and themselves.
they get caught up in this aggressive competitive self obsessed nonsense, instead of just being healthy happy and enjoying life

men have virtually no involvement in this, in fact theyre not even allowed an opinion. the moment I stop typing ill be called sexist just for having an opinion. that's all part of the dumbed down feminist agenda

young women get overly spoilt , often with material things and are encouraged to become self obsessed. its unhealthy and imbalanced. this happens more when there are no fathers. with good fathers you have more balanced healthier kids who run round get dirty do some tomboy stuff too have some harmless fun and generally do things other than dress up like Barbie dolls...

radical feminism needs to be debunked as the brainless heartless drivel it is. its achieved nothing , but destroyed a lot. including womanhood in many ways and fatherhood.


ps men don't like stick thin women, period....so why are we seeing stick thin women in these stupid magazines and why are millions of women wasting money on this junk instead of spending their money or their familts money on better things like quality food etc or education for their kids

[lostalex]

I think everyone has certain parts of their body that they really like. And it's enuf to make them think they are actually good looking. I've met a lot of really ugly people who will say "everyone tells me that i have really nice eyes" and i just smile and nod.

I think most people secretly think they are better looking than they actually are. Even the most insecure people, they still secretly think they are good looking.

Everyone thinks they are good looking on some level. I think it's natural to find yourself good looking. We are all Narcissus on some level.

[Kizzy]

I get told I'm better looking than I think I am, so that's that theory out the water :laugh:

[lostalex]

I get told I'm better looking than I think I am, so that's that theory out the water :laugh:

people say nice things, don't they.

[Verbal]

people say nice things, don't they.

:nono::joker:

[Kyle]

I think everyone has certain parts of their body that they really like. And it's enuf to make them think they are actually good looking. I've met a lot of really ugly people who will say "everyone tells me that i have really nice eyes" and i just smile and nod.

I think most people secretly think they are better looking than they actually are. Even the most insecure people, they still secretly think they are good looking.

Everyone thinks they are good looking on some level. I think it's natural to find yourself good looking. We are all Narcissus on some level.

You think wrong.

In fact that post is an insult To body dysmorphics, a lot of who are so distressed about their appearance they are led to suicide.

[x-evenstar-x]

I think everyone has certain parts of their body that they really like. And it's enuf to make them think they are actually good looking. I've met a lot of really ugly people who will say "everyone tells me that i have really nice eyes" and i just smile and nod.

I think most people secretly think they are better looking than they actually are. Even the most insecure people, they still secretly think they are good looking.

Everyone thinks they are good looking on some level. I think it's natural to find yourself good looking. We are all Narcissus on some level.

I agree with simple minds here, and that's a very ignorant comment to make.

I for one on no level think I'm remotely good looking, I think the opposite. Sure a lot of people may think in some level they are good looking but you can't say everyone does.

[Kizzy]

people say nice things, don't they.

Yes they do but that's beside the point, as some have pointed out it's all about confidence and having a positive self image, to say everyone has that is wrong.
There are those with over inflated egos, but I wouldn't say they are in the majority.

[Vicky.]

I think everyone has certain parts of their body that they really like. And it's enuf to make them think they are actually good looking. I've met a lot of really ugly people who will say "everyone tells me that i have really nice eyes" and i just smile and nod.

I think most people secretly think they are better looking than they actually are. Even the most insecure people, they still secretly think they are good looking.

Everyone thinks they are good looking on some level. I think it's natural to find yourself good looking. We are all Narcissus on some level.

I would go the total opposite way tbh. I think most people pick faults with themselves that others barely even notice. As such, I think most people think they are worse looking than they are.

[Z]

I would go the total opposite way tbh. I think most people pick faults with themselves that others barely even notice. As such, I think most people think they are worse looking than they are.

I agree. I sit and obsess over flaws about my appearance that nobody else has ever even commented on... but if they did, it would make things so much worse, having your worst fears confirmed, that people do notice that thing or those things about you that you hate the most...

[the truth]

I agree. I sit and obsess over flaws about my appearance that nobody else has ever even commented on... but if they did, it would make things so much worse, having your worst fears confirmed, that people do notice that thing or those things about you that you hate the most...

Im sure youre beautiful.....as for this materialistic / appearance obsessiveness with women....try and ignore the female peer pressure and find more male friends and do natural fun things, become a tom boy , spend more time playing and outdoor pursuits too....before you know it youll be happer healthier and youll look happy and healthy too