All posts tagged: body image

We filter things through a fun house mirror.

Updated 11.2018 Women in America have an incredible hurdle to overcome when it comes to being at peace with “how they look”.  Why is this?  Due to media, we live in what one author called a “crazy funhouse mirror”, where what we think is normal is NOT NORMAL.  Let’s look at what has historically happened to play games with our minds, and maybe knowledge is the first step to self acceptance. Only 20% of American Women are satisfied with their appearance. The average American woman is 5’4″ and weighs 168 lbs and has a 38 inch waist. (2018 CDC statistics) Compare that with the average model, who is 5’11 and weighs 115 lbs.  Twenty years ago, the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 32% less! Over 50% of American women wear size 14 or larger.  Yet most clothing in stores is 14 and smaller. Plus-size models have shrunk, too. A decade ago, plus-size models averaged between size 12 and size 18. Today, the majority of plus-size models an …

How to talk to your daughter about her body

This was originally a blog post, and then ran in Huffington as an op ed. This is so important, I’m re-posting it. If you have ANY girls in your life, READ THIS AND REMEMBER ALL of it! Actually, this goes for boys too! How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: Don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works. Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight. If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead: “You look so healthy!” is a great one. Or how about, “You’re looking so strong.” “I can see how happy you are — you’re glowing.” Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body. Don’t comment on other women’s bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one. Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself. Don’t you dare …