“I wish I had her body.”
-The direct quote from a Pinterest photo which moments ago inspired this post.
For the bulk of my adult life and a fair chunk of my adolescence, I had body issues. Most of us have, which was something that had never occurred to me until I grew up. Because up to that point in my life I found flaws in my own body, and secretly wished I could be as happy in my own skin as everyone else. I envied them. But then I began to listen intently to how the humans around me, and on the world wide web, spoke to their bodies. Yes, we speak to our bodies just as often as we speak to ourselves. Vocalizing or internalizing, there is a definite conversation going on between a the two.
SO until about two minutes ago I had seen, agreed, and likely re-pined roughly a billion images just like the aforementioned without another thought. I mean, who doesn’t want a tinier waist, bigger knockers, and ass for days?
I don’t know, maybe the girl who lives in Pinterest?
But this post isn’t about her. It’s not about body image, either. Well, not directly anyway. It’s about the one simple question which has been impossible for me to get an answer to.
What comes after the attained “perfect” body?
No, really. Inquiring minds want to know. What do you do with the body you have wished for? And I’m not asking about those of you who have adapted a healthier lifestyle or have been more active. I understand the joy of fitting into clothing comfortably, increased energy level, blah blah blah. Achieving those goals are good for you and for your body. Insert applause here. I am referring to what comes after physical activity and good nutrition. No longer just a healthy core but a shredded one, rock hard buns and jiggle-less arms, all while maintaining (or surgically enhancing) the previously mentioned. Because lets face it, boobs don’t stick around when major fat loss is at play. The Pinterest Girl body.
What actually changes?
Initially, I would think there would be an influx of confidence. Those around you would probably shower you with compliments. Oh, and you could rock some pretty amazing outfits. But then what? A boatload of borderline narcissistic selfies and perfunctory “likes”? My work life would be exactly the same, if not worse. Let’s face it, the pressure of having to maintain the wished for body could quite frankly become a huge pain in the wished for ass. Since I am not a celebrity there would be no increase in wages due to a newly acquired hot bod status. My friends and family already love me so I doubt there would be much change there.
What’s left? Why do I (we) want to have her body? Just to have it? To have people look at it and want it too? To be revered for it? To be lusted after because of it? Or maybe it’s because she is so ripped and I want to be able to lift that much, too…
#gainz
Once the dust settles and the compliments have been said, there you are. You and your perfect body. Hanging out in your small town, going to work, taking selfies, and (if you are me) watching Netflix.
So I ask myself again, what is it that a perfect body can do that can not be achieved with just a plain old healthy body? Probably nothing. Do I still want it? Yep. The only difference is that now I don’t feel like I need it.
♥ Liz
Photo illustration by Philipp/Matthew Azevedo www.theontarion.com/2014/08/maintaining-a-positive-body-image
Such a great post! I really wish I could tell my teenage self this! It’s really nice to know I’m not alone 🙂
I completely agree! I would have enjoyed my high school and college years so much more! My biggest fear is that my own nieces will feel this way too. Here’s to breaking the cycle!!!
I have that same free with my nieces as well! My sister has some seriously bad eating habits so I fear the worst for the high school and college years 🙁
Yes, it is a very fine line to walk. Say too much and trigger an unhealthy food/body relationship, or say nothing and hope for the best. That is the hardest part of my job and my least favorite.
Perfect body?
Tick, tock.
OMG preach!!!! I wish I could go back 10 years and read this out loud to my 18/19 year old self! I used to think that Britney in all of her airbrushed fabulousness was the ideal and that because I didn’t have a body JUST LIKE hers I was fat! It’s so interesting how the media influences us and it’s also sad because there was no reason for me to be thinking that way!
And of course things always come up that I want to change but don’t need to change – this was a good read to put everything into perspective!
Yes!!! I was the same way as a young girl. And nowadays healthy isn’t enough. You are supposed to be ripped, feminine, and be an airbrushed doll. But for what…and for who?!?! ☺️💜
ON POINT, LIZ! OMG!!!!!!!!
I am SO HAPPY to know I’m not the only one who feels like the standard is total bs!!!!
Definitely not the only one!!!!!!!!!
Really great post lovely and I DO completely agree with your points. It’s just human nature to be competitive and want to be/have the best I guess, my body gets me down a lot but I know what’s achievable and what isn’t xx
I am right there with you! This post was so hard to write because I feel that way a lot. I have a Pinterest board of purely “body inspiration”. So yesterday when I saw that pin it hit me. When will I stop wishing for something else and start enjoying what I have… We are only human, absolutely! My boobs are fine, I only THINK I need bigger ones. My nose is my nose…and so on. 🙂 🙂
You make such a great point. Nothing will change except maybe more creepy guys hitting on you for your body but not who you are. And who needs that? Great post!
Exactly! As if having a great body will make your life somehow better. Maybe if we make our lives a little better our bodies will naturally follow…? 🙂
Or the real people that we really want around us will find us by who we are and now what we look like.
I 1,000% agree with that!!!
I think you post nailed that!