Changing the Model by Which We are Judged

I think it's obvious that one of the solutions to our body image crisis is to portray our models and other people in the spotlight more realistically. The real question is: what is it going to take to get the mainstream media to agree with that?

Real Women

The above photo is supposedly from a Swedish department store. These mannequins are "normal size" ranging from size 12-16. Here in America, size 14 is the beginning of "plus sizes".

For those of you who have never seen me, I just hit a size 14 a few weeks ago and I've been struggling with my self image big time.

I have 2 things to say about the above image. The first is that it makes me feel much more normal to see mannequins that look a lot more like I do. The second is that I thought a size 8-10 was average, not 12-16, so either I'm misinformed or the person who posted this picture on Facebook is. Either way, my goal is to get back down to at least a size 10.

--begin tangent--

Most people tell me I don't look like I wear a size 14. I honestly don't know if they're lying to make me feel better or if they're actually sincere. People also can't seem to get very close when guessing my weight. I have the same questions about those comments. Are you just trying to make me feel better or do you really think I look like I weigh 140 lbs and wear a size 8?

The truth is the last time I had the courage to step on the scale I weighed 173 lbs. I just bought a whole new set of size 14 dress pants because my 12s were too tight. I honestly feel like a whale. I'm 5'6" and according to my BMI I'm overweight.

This blog post was supposed to be about creating a positive self image but it's turned out to be me complaining about being fat. Sorry y'all. Guess I needed to vent. Between working full time, going to school full time, trying to actually keep a high GPA, and fitting in sleep here and there, I have no time for exercise. I have come to love mountain biking and I don't have time to ride, I definitely don't have time to try and restart Tapout XT, I don't have time to run... I have a severe lack of time. If I could quit my job I probably would even though I love it now that I've moved to a unit with less stress.

Well, sorry for becoming a Debbie Downer, y'all. Better luck next time.