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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/21/2012 10:01:51 PM   
Greta75


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...

I think men like you are rare but you're sweet.

(in reply to CRYPTICLXVI)
Profile   Post #: 81
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/21/2012 10:02:33 PM   
CRYPTICLXVI


Posts: 3907
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Greta75


quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...

I think men like you are rare but you're sweet.


Nope, I'm an asshole.

(in reply to Greta75)
Profile   Post #: 82
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 4:45:44 AM   
AthenaSurrenders


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tantriqu
If your man tripped while rescuing your child and got impaled on something, after he recovered, would you ask him to spend $4000 on getting his scar revised? HELL, NO. A c/s scar is a badge of honour; if men got them, they'd be tattooing around them with highlights. Save your money and spend it on a family vacation or go back to school; not on surgery.



This is a very good point, thank you.

Aneirin and LaTigresse - I love the suggestion about finding a photographer to work with but wouldn't have a clue how to go about finding the right person. I'm also somewhat broke to be spending much money on myself like that - I will keep this in mind though.

Really appreciate all the ideas and feedback in this thread, I'm actually feeling better already just from all of the reassurance and what not. If I haven't thanked you personally please don't think that I haven't taken your post on board, they've all been so valuable.

You've inspired me to really focus on upping my game in terms of my lifestyle and to work on my own thought processes. And thanks to the people who sent me book recommendations and websites about thought patterns, I will absolutely be looking them all up.

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Upon the hours and times of your desire?

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Profile   Post #: 83
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 5:13:37 AM   
LadyPact


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
As a man, I have to say THIS!!!

I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...

You ain't never going to keep that asshole rep by saying stuff like this. Just letting you know.

OP, this is the best I can do to help you. It's all relative. Women are bombarded about what we're supposed to look like.

A long time back, (and I rarely talk about this here) I was damn thin. Maybe 95 lbs soaking wet. The term "walking skeleton" was kind. I was walking death and I STILL had a poor body image. Malnourished. Unhealthy. Weak.

And, you know what? I still had stretch marks. I was a size zero and still felt like crap.

Then, somebody told Me the coolest thing. They aren't "stretch" marks. Those are just the marks of someone clawing their way into the world.

It's all perspective.


_____________________________

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Beach Ball Sized Lady Nuts. ~ TWD

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Profile   Post #: 84
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 5:19:11 AM   
chatterbox24


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI


quote:

ORIGINAL: Greta75


quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...

I think men like you are rare but you're sweet.


Nope, I'm an asshole.



Should we capitalize the ASSHOLE? Whoops thats another thread.....
Glad you are feeling better Athena.

(in reply to CRYPTICLXVI)
Profile   Post #: 85
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 5:26:47 AM   
MsLadySue


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For all the ladies.




Attachment (1)

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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 6:13:40 AM   
Aswad


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quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

I've never been all that happy with my body, but I've always been able to step back and think 'oh well, I am what I am' and not let it stop me having fun.


Why do men find a model perfect nubile belly attractive?

Because a baby goes in there.

Almost every aspect of human attraction is geared toward mating and offspring. Fertility is sexy, and the markers of fertility are, as well. This is a simple biological fact, though there are deviations and diversity, of course. The bottom line, though, is this: the fact that you've had children- and will have more- puts you in the most attractive group of women out there.

I know that's going to be hard to accept. But it's also a pretty well documented fact, so you have a simpler task than many: you don't need to convince yourself of anything, you "just" need to come to terms with the truth of your own beauty.

Your body carries the tangible proof that it can offer a man everything he desires.

There's your definition of attractiveness, right there. I realize feeling the truth of that can be hard. My words can't tell you what your husband's smile is unable to, but for what it's worth: you're an attractive woman, and you fit a timeless ideal of beauty that will persist as long as the species does (in fact, if it ever does go away, our species will come to an end because of it).

IWYW,
— Aswad.


< Message edited by Aswad -- 9/22/2012 6:15:05 AM >


_____________________________

"If God saw what any of us did that night, he didn't seem to mind.
From then on I knew: God doesn't make the world this way.
We do.
" -- Rorschack, Watchmen.


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Profile   Post #: 87
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 7:32:36 AM   
Duskypearls


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aswad

quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

I've never been all that happy with my body, but I've always been able to step back and think 'oh well, I am what I am' and not let it stop me having fun.


Why do men find a model perfect nubile belly attractive?

Because a baby goes in there.

Almost every aspect of human attraction is geared toward mating and offspring. Fertility is sexy, and the markers of fertility are, as well. This is a simple biological fact, though there are deviations and diversity, of course. The bottom line, though, is this: the fact that you've had children- and will have more- puts you in the most attractive group of women out there.

I know that's going to be hard to accept. But it's also a pretty well documented fact, so you have a simpler task than many: you don't need to convince yourself of anything, you "just" need to come to terms with the truth of your own beauty.

Your body carries the tangible proof that it can offer a man everything he desires.

There's your definition of attractiveness, right there. I realize feeling the truth of that can be hard. My words can't tell you what your husband's smile is unable to, but for what it's worth: you're an attractive woman, and you fit a timeless ideal of beauty that will persist as long as the species does (in fact, if it ever does go away, our species will come to an end because of it).

IWYW,
— Aswad.



Beautifully said, thank you.

(in reply to Aswad)
Profile   Post #: 88
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 8:39:52 AM   
Kaliko


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Joined: 9/25/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Greta75


quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...

I think men like you are rare but you're sweet.



I don't know. Not to make light of the thought, because it is a sweet one, but I don't believe that it's all that rare. Perhaps I've been lucky in who I've known, but I can't think of many men who don't find a women more (or less) attractive based on who they are as a person. Looks may be the initial attraction, yes, but personality to either complement those looks or destroy any appeal really does come into play for...I think...many people.

(in reply to Greta75)
Profile   Post #: 89
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 1:09:01 PM   
MistressDemeter9


Posts: 36
Joined: 8/2/2012
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aswad

quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

I've never been all that happy with my body, but I've always been able to step back and think 'oh well, I am what I am' and not let it stop me having fun.


Why do men find a model perfect nubile belly attractive?

Because a baby goes in there.

Almost every aspect of human attraction is geared toward mating and offspring. Fertility is sexy, and the markers of fertility are, as well. This is a simple biological fact, though there are deviations and diversity, of course. The bottom line, though, is this: the fact that you've had children- and will have more- puts you in the most attractive group of women out there.

I know that's going to be hard to accept. But it's also a pretty well documented fact, so you have a simpler task than many: you don't need to convince yourself of anything, you "just" need to come to terms with the truth of your own beauty.

Your body carries the tangible proof that it can offer a man everything he desires.

There's your definition of attractiveness, right there. I realize feeling the truth of that can be hard. My words can't tell you what your husband's smile is unable to, but for what it's worth: you're an attractive woman, and you fit a timeless ideal of beauty that will persist as long as the species does (in fact, if it ever does go away, our species will come to an end because of it).

IWYW,
— Aswad.



Absolutely true!

I once read an article where a psychologist asked a group of older men if they found pregnant women beautiful and they were all fairly clearly a YES! Because it shows that a woman is fertile and that is what makes her attractive. Its just that we are shown so many images of young, prefect bodies and told (This is what men want) that we start to believe. Ask any man worth talking to what he finds sexy and it is just women! All and any women. The more confident the better!

(in reply to Aswad)
Profile   Post #: 90
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 3:59:13 PM   
Aswad


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Joined: 4/4/2007
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It applies to younger men, too. Edit in a baby in a picture of a woman, and observers start to rate her as more attractive, regardless of age.

Some of my friends have asked how come I can walk up to a woman I've never met and get a response. I usually don't answer, cause I know they won't believe me, as it's really quite simple: attention. Give a woman attention, and she feels more attractive. When she feels attractive, she becomes more confident, which makes her even more attractive, making it even easier to focus your attention on her. The same thing applies to both parties, and both parties are lifted up by the mutual attention and the mutual attraction associated with it. It's a positive feedback loop. That's always been a greater ally than chocolate and roses to me. And let's face it: giving a random stranger either of those would be as likely to cause her to freak out as to rouse her interest.

I guess I've adequately conveyed over the years that I don't just see a piece of meat when I look at a woman. But I do see one, in addition to the rest of her. And as far as I can tell, a part of flirting with a woman is letting her know that if she were on the menu, I'd finish all five courses of that meal and still be hungry for more. I've heard some are uncomfortable with that for some reason. Perhaps those relating their discomfort have forgotten to be aware that there's more to a woman, or failed to convey it when faced with someone that doesn't enjoy having only a single aspect of herself admired. Or they perhaps project the notion that they're not interested in what the menu says. I dunno.

But what I do know is, I'm happy when someone shows that kind of interest in Ars, not threatened. In the end, it will only be good for the both of us. Same thing on the occasions that I've had people inquire about sharing, swinging, tag teaming or the like. I know it reminds her that she is desireable. Attractive. Interesting. On a level that pretty much has to mean something to her, because it's biologically speaking the sole purpose of having two sexes. And it reminds me that I've got something worth having, in an animal sense that doesn't matter to my intellect, but which- again- pretty much has to mean something to me on an instinctual level.

There's nothing odd, wrong or "slutty" (whatever that means) about enjoying the whole "piece of meat" experience. I know I do. Just like anyone else, I sometimes put on something nice and go places I know I will get attention. It reminds me that I'm attractive. And, in the context of a relationship, it reminds me that I'm here because I want to be, not because my options are limited. What I'm not so good at, is remembering to do it when I'm feeling unattractive. Which is when I absolutely should.

Perhaps the OP might find that useful, too.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Duskypearls

Beautifully said, thank you.


Thanks for the compliment.

IWYW,
— Aswad.

ETA: There's about three billion men that would do you, Athena. Worth thinking about.


< Message edited by Aswad -- 9/22/2012 4:00:47 PM >


_____________________________

"If God saw what any of us did that night, he didn't seem to mind.
From then on I knew: God doesn't make the world this way.
We do.
" -- Rorschack, Watchmen.


(in reply to MistressDemeter9)
Profile   Post #: 91
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 4:09:10 PM   
OsideGirl


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Joined: 7/1/2005
From: United States
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: CRYPTICLXVI
I know a lot of women don't believe this and I also know a lot of guys are twue assholes (as opposed to me, who is just an asshole) but for me, the women I have been with are beautiful, the more I love her, the more I know who she is and continue to love her, the more beautiful she is...


Master says the same thing to me. We've been together almost 13 years now and I'll still catch him staring at me. And I admit sometimes I watch him sleep and every day I'm amazed that I'm with such an amazing human being.


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The Accelerated Velocity of Terminological Inexactitude

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Profile   Post #: 92
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/22/2012 4:30:27 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
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Normally I might agree with you SailingBum, but I can't on this issue. Yes, I work and see disenfranchised people everyday and I know they have it worse than me, but my problem is mine, not theirs. They have their issues and I have mine. Neither is better or worse in one's own mind.

It's a problem for a woman when you had a child 20 years ago and while out a stranger walks past you and asks "when are you due?" or your partner in life starts commenting on the weight you've gained lately even though you're more than aware of it and feel the same way he does but you know how hard it is to lose it when you reach 40 years old. You don't exactly say "but oh, others have it worse than me so I just won't care anymore about myself and I'll continue to just let myself go because hey, I shouldn't care about myself but about everyone else".

It doesn't exactly make you happy to know what others think of you and you are doing your best to get rid of it but when even your doctor says that most women who have been pregnant almost never get rid of the excess baby pooch unless they have surgery or have great muscle tone to begin with before the pregnancy.

I'm sorry for your glaucoma SailingBum. You obviously feel that your issue is worse and it is....to you.

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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 1:07:53 AM   
gungadin09


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SailingBum
Are you FREAKING kidding me you are whining about stretch marks??? To put your lame whine in perspective I have glaucoma approx 20% of the ppl that have it go blind. Do you hear me whining?


Yes. Are you FREAKING kidding me you are whining about glaucoma and going blind? Think of Alzheimers patients who don't even know who they are. Think of mothers who watch their kids die of some wasting disease.

quote:

Those marks are the least of your issues.


OP, like it or not, SailingBum is right. There's always someone worse off than you. Concentrate on what you have.

Pam


< Message edited by gungadin09 -- 9/23/2012 1:17:22 AM >


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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 2:32:21 AM   
AthenaSurrenders


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I know there are people worse off than me. I've said multiple times in this thread that I'm a really lucky person. I'm not asking you all to pity me, I'm acknowledging that this relatively small problem is having a disproportionate impact on my feelings and asking advice on how to turn that around. I totally admit this is an issue that is 90% inside my own head. If I could logic it away by thinking of others who have it worse, I would have done so already and never started this thread. No one on earth would ever be sad if this worked all the time.

At no point was my intention to slight other people's suffering or ask you all to lay on the sympathy. I do have it good. I know that. I'm having problems with a negative thought spiral making this into a much bigger issue than it should be and I need to break that.

Lots of people come here to discuss their problems, which could also be answered with 'some people have it worse' but that doesn't make the problem invalid.

_____________________________

Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?

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Profile   Post #: 95
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 2:47:03 AM   
gungadin09


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Well, I was being tongue in cheek, sort of. I was going to mention the starving children in Africa, too, but I thought that was over the top.

My advice was serious, though. I think you would do better to look at this from a glass-is-half-full point of view.

Pam

< Message edited by gungadin09 -- 9/23/2012 2:50:18 AM >


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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 4:09:07 AM   
AthenaSurrenders


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ok, my apologies then, I think I have become a little defensive. Sorry Pam.

_____________________________

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Upon the hours and times of your desire?

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Profile   Post #: 97
RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 4:20:45 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: AthenaSurrenders

ok, my apologies then, I think I have become a little defensive. Sorry Pam.

considering that an OP that contained this
quote:

I know I can't be the only one who has felt like this, so can anyone give me any advice on how I can get over this? I am eating well and exercising as much as I can on very little sleep, but I know some things won't change and I need to sort my brain out as well. I admire anyone who has the self confidence to get naked in public, since I don't even like to be seen fully dressed.


got a response like this
quote:

To the OP.

Are you FREAKING kidding me you are whining about stretch marks??? To put your lame whine in perspective I have glaucoma approx 20% of the ppl that have it go blind. Do you hear me whining?

Those marks are the least of your issues. BadOne


I would say that you have every right to be defensive, even pissed off, because one missed the intent and spirit of a lovely OP.




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yep

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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 2:01:31 PM   
MistressDemeter9


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I've suffered from depression for years, and one of the worst things people can say to someone feeling bad or low is 'what have you got to be upset about? Just think of all those people who have got it wore than you!'

It's not as though we are trying to compete to see who has the worst lives, and yes, we all acknowledge that there are millions of people who have it harder than us, but to say that by comparison our concerns don't matter is just cruel. It makes us feel worse about feeling bad, makes us feel selfish and as if we don't matter.

Anyone has the right to ask for help and sometimes it takes a lot of bravery to ask, so try and recognise that. Pity wasn't asked for in this instance, but just advice and some support. Turning their request into a comparison to see who has the worst lives doesn't help anyone.

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RE: Dealing with negative body image - 9/23/2012 6:00:46 PM   
littlewonder


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quote:

I've suffered from depression for years, and one of the worst things people can say to someone feeling bad or low is 'what have you got to be upset about? Just think of all those people who have got it wore than you!'


OH YEAH! I get asked this ALL the time, even by my own sisters and mom. When someone asks me that I tend to simply not say anything at all and completely ignore them. I just shake my head and walk away.

Ya know, I even had a therapist ask me that once.

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