Posts tagged women
StopHatingYourBody
On a mission to live a body positive life
Hi guys! My name is Makena and I am 18 years old!
I have been posting on SHYB since I started recovery for my bulimia with anorexic tendencies almost two years ago. I know the top picture looks like a before-and-after of my weight, but it’s not! The picture on the left is one of the first pictures I submitted of myself to SHYB, back in 2011. I was still in the midst of my eating disorder and very much struggling with my self-image. As you can see, I was too embarrassed to wear a bikini. Whenever I see that photo on the left, I see a very unhappy girl with zero confidence. I hated my legs and I thought I had a very chubby stomach. Now in the photo on the right, after nearly two years of recovery with much love and support, I see someone totally different! I see a girl that—can you believe it—was excited to wear a bikini to the beach, and not just wear it, but take pictures! I am just truly proud of all the positive changes and progress I have made in my life: I work out at least 4x a week and keep track of my nutrition (not calories). I actually am starting to love my body and I am learning more every day how to treat it with the respect it deserves.
Also, I just wanted to say, in August I will be one year purge-free!!:))
Anyways, thanks for reading this! If anyone ever wants to talk sometime, message me here!
In my life so far, I have felt the pressure from society to be thinner. I tried to deny my curves, and constantly felt bad about my body. In the last year or so, I have started to pay attention to all the wonderful things my body is capable of. I have a chronic illness (fibromyalgia) and I needed to stop looking at my body as a size/number and see it as a magnificient piece of machinery. It is absolutely crazy that we can do all we can do with our bodies, and through that fact I have come to love myself. I am a one of a kind piece of art, and I will not let society dictate how I should feel about all the magical things my body is capable of. Society keeps girls depressed and upset about their bodies so they will not fulfill their full potential.
To everyone out there, your body is an amazing thing. Focus on the things it is good at (mentally, emotionally, physically) and stop focusing on what it looks like to an outsider.
I mean, you only get one life and one body that is yours. Don’t let someone else’s ignorance dictate your life.
TRIGGER WARNING: eating disorders, harassment, abuse, self-hate
So I’m not much of a talker, but I’ll do my best to get my point across.
THE FACTS
1. I had (still have) a poor relationship with my father in middle school. I was in an abusive relationship with a kind of friend in middle school. I was sexually harassed in middle school. I logically (though ultimately irrationally) concluded that there was something wrong with me. I spent the next two years striving to lose weight.
2. I lost weight, twenty pounds of it, and also lost my period and sanity because I was anorexic. (I was never technically underweight, but my body was wasting away all the same.) A shrink and a dietician “fixed” me, but for whatever reason, I was determinedly unfixed.
3. This is my senior year of high school. I have had a lot of falls and a lot of triumphs, and my life is eons, lightyears, universes away from something spectacular.
But this is not my body’s fault. And I have learned to love it.
I LOVE MY BODY BECAUSE
1. The places I’ve pierced my body (belly-button, nipples, VCH) have helped me to love it. When I hated my curvy belly, I decorated it. When I hated my big bouncy boobs, I made them my own. When I felt that my lady parts were working against me, I took control of them. I am fiercely proud of what I’ve done to my body.
2. My body is sensitive and can be delicate. My body knows when something is wrong. When I travel, when I eat something that doesn’t agree with me, when I refuse to eat, my body tells me. It may not always be pleasant, but it knows what’s good for me.
3. My body is strong. It can run for miles. It can push things, lift things, hold things. My body keeps me safe.
4. My body is much more than beautiful. My boyfriend thinks it’s beautiful, sure, but I no longer care if people think it’s beautiful or not. My body is more than a collection of attractive/unattractive parts. My body is my home, and nobody has to apologize for the place that they live in. And I will never apologize.
I’m being brave again and submitting this because I looked at it and thought I like how my body looks. This is huge. I NEVER think that. I have gained a lot of weight and at my highest weight ever, and I am constantly at war with my body. I have suffered from eating disorders for three years, and have had terrible, horrible, non-existant self esteem for even longer. Maybe it’s just the lighting and the way I’m standing, but I actually like how I look here. Taking pictures of my body helps me to see it the way it really is and not the distorted way I see it daily in the mirror. I think the human body is a beautiful thing and is not something to be ashamed of in any way shape or form. And I’m not ashamed of my body for this one moment. I am scarred and I have thick thighs that touch and a lower belly pooch and small boobs, and thats okay. I’m still beautiful how I am. My body is mine and I need to accept it. And if I can accept it in this photo and share that acceptance with all of you, that is a step in the right direction.
This is my first submission.
I’ve been following this blog for a couple months now. It’s very inspiring to see people show the world themselves, even when it’s very hard for them, but that’s what makes them so brave and strong and that’s what I aspire to be every day.
This photo isn’t something I struggle with, but -in fact- something I enjoy. This photo is of something I learned to love about myself over the years. I won’t give you my whole story just yet, but when I was younger I was extremely self-conscious about everything. However, one day I decided to choose something and just begin to love it. Once I loved that part of myself I would move on to the next thing that bothered me. It’s really hard, but I’m glad I started when I did or I wouldn’t be where I am today. My white stretch marks are from when I shot up and stayed put. They don’t bother me at all anymore. In fact, I think they look really cool. They’re like lightning bolts -electrifying, beautiful and fantastic.
So many beautiful people post on this blog every day and I would just like to thank them for being so courageous.
BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!
I finally got myself to submit a picture and I’m happy I did. It shows I’m totally fine with the way I look, even after all the things I went through.
Got bullied on for 4 years in primary school because of my weight and when it stopped at school, it started to last for another 4 years when I joined girl scouts. When I couldn’t handle it anymore and quit being a girl scout, which made an end to my dream of becoming a girl scout leader. Not being bullied anymore was a relief, but the chance of being bullied on again would always be there.
When I went to high school, nothing happened. That’s when I started to accept the way I looked like. But outside of school, I always felt like everyone was judging me even if they weren’t. I never really felt in place with all these good looking people around me, who all had boyfriends and were able to wear whatever they liked without being judged. I realized I still didn’t feel good about myself.
And then, age 22, I met a guy who made me feel the most beautiful girl in the world. It took me a while to get comfortable being naked in front of him, but once I did, I wished I would’ve done it sooner. He literally changed my world by telling me I’m beautiful and I started to love the way I look.
That’s why I chose this outfit to surprise him on our 6 months anniversary. I know he’s going to like it as much as I do.
I’ve never been particularly ‘at ease’ with my body, ever since I was a child. I found it harder as I grew up because my mother would constantly hug me and tell me I was anorexic or too skinny, even though when I stared in the mirror all I could see was too much fat. It left me feeling distorted and angry, and It resulted in me self harming, and starving myself, and putting my body through too much. Eventually, I had friends who couldn’t stand it any more, and made me face up to what I was doing to myself, and gradually with their help, i’ve started to appreciate what I see in the mirror, and i’ve stopped distorting the image. I eat healthily with my friends, who give me guidance and advice on how to do it healthily and not dangerously. I still have bad days, where I can’t stand to see myself, but I don’t look at photos of me and grimace. I want this to stay, as long as possible, because I would prefer to feel happy and healthy than to feel weak and scared, like I used to.
I feel the need to address this complex that is more than apparent when it comes to issues regarding women and: makeup, clothing and weight.
The “MEN PREFER WOMEN …” complex (not the official title).
Some how in a discussion people bring everything back round to a male perspective - “Why is she trying to lose weight? Everyone knows MEN PREFER WOMEN with curves!” Which can be as easily transferred to ‘Why is she wearing that much makeup…” “That little clothing…” And so on. It is a common belief that the only factor that dictates what decisions a woman makes to or with her body are based on a man’s opinion.
I’m more than certain that at some point I’ve implied that, if not thought it. I’m sure everyone has. It’s one of the things you don’t usually think twice about. But, once you realise the error in what you’re implying and the effect it has you are half way to bettering your attitudes to others as well as yourself.
You need to realise that you are not a preference. You are the only person who dictates how you look, what you wear and how much you weigh.
Hi there, my name is Harmony and this is my first post. I’m new to Stop Hating Your Body, and I actually didn’t know that websites like this exist. Here is my story:
I am very tall, around 5’9. I have always felt awkward about this because I appear larger then most girls. About a year ago I weighed 180lbs. I was incredibly down on myself, and I hated my body. So I started exercising and trying to loose weight. I did, I got myself down to 135. Now I am continuing to work out, but I don’t see it in the mirror. My body image is so skewed that I cannot see how beautiful I truly am. I still see myself as the same size. Despite the fact my family and friends keep telling me that I don’t need to loose weight. I am struggling with the bump between my hips and stomach. My mind wants me to starve myself and run until this bump is gone, but will it ever disappear? and will I be happy with my body once it is gone?
I don’t think so. I think blogs like this, that support positive body image, will. Reading all of the stories on this website has opened my eyes to all the different sizes of women, and how we all struggle with our body image. I envied thin women, and wished I looked like them. Realizing that we all are facing this together, makes me feel a lot stronger. I feel like I can do this, and I will learn to love my body and it’s imperfections.
I hope to post again in a few weeks and tell you of how far I have come.
Thank you for this website, and all the strong men and women who have shared their stories. You are truly inspiring to me.
Hi, I’m Ember. I have short legs, and a long torso. I have small tits, and a squishy tummy. I have big thighs, and a little bubble but. I have a round face, and the chubbiest cheeks out of anyone I know. I’m not going to lie, and say I love my body. Because I don’t. I’m learning to love myself the way I am. I don’t care about what size clothes I wear anymore. I’m tired of crying every time I go in the dressing room. Day by day, I’m getting closer to loving myself just the way I am, and not trying to change a damn thing.
So, hi. I’m Ember, I’m 16. 5’5”. 138lbs. And I have the best music taste in the world! Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can posses.
Body positive, bitches!!
Hello. :)
My name is Alisa, and I am someone who has struggled with my body for a very long time. I come from a physically and mentally abusive household, and I was always taught to hate my body (as well as myself) rather than love it. Today, I stand 5’ 9” at 173 pounds. It has been a long battle, but over the past two years I’ve been learning how to love my body exactly the way it is. After distancing myself from my family, I have been able to surround myself with people who support me. You only have one body, and you should love it too. No matter what type or shape or size, your body is beautiful because it is yours. You all deserve to be happy, and what you look like should not dictate that. I love each and every one of you, and my ask box is always open if you need a little support or just someone to talk to. You’re all beautiful just the way you are.
I submitted here a couple of months ago, and people told me my photo was too over edited (it was essentially graphic art), so I’m back with a non edited photo from the same shoot :)
Quite frankly, I just really really like my bum in this.
I have been taunted by my peers as long as I can remember about my body,face, hair, etc.. and after a hard battle i have come to see that they’re wrong. I’ve come to terms with my body and im happy to be where i am now
Was feeling extra sassy this morning so I got got ready in my awesome new bikini! I couldn’t get lighting to show the leopard print bottoms sadly :( but I love how happy I look.
My body is healthy, happy, cute, and most importantly perfect for me. And Guess what?! Your body is pretty amazing too!
So put on your sassy pants ladies and gents, cause you’re pretty cool and it’s a great day to alive.
Hello everyone! My name is Sara. I am 22 years old and I wear a size 11 US pants. What is the definition of “large”. And why is this word so horrible. In the last few weeks I have had many men call me large. But, the funny thing is. When I think of the word Large, I think of it as “Large and in charge”.
My only few words of advice to anyone who has ever been called large is, You need to be large and in charge. No matter if it hurts, its going to feel better once you look at yourself in a positive way. No one out there is allowed to make you feel less then what you are worth, and what you are worth is more then you think you are. Everyone is beautiful, no matter if its on the outside or the inside. We are only human, and we are doing the best we can to survive. Because we are only put here for a short time, and we only get one body. Enjoy your bodacious curves or your swimsuit body. No matter your size small or large. They are just words. But, how you listen to them matters.
You are all beautiful. And You yourself have the power to feel that way. Only you can do that. So what are you waiting for, send your self flowers, send your self a pizza! Just don’t wait any longer and do it already.
sarasmash.tumblr.com letts kick some booty together. <3
