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October 25, 2007
Eight Things I Love About My Body
Nenette tagged me, so now I'm supposed to write eight things I love about my body. You can read her excellent post on the topic here.
I have to admit that I am somewhat nervous about doing this. It's easy to think of eight things I love (it's harder to think of eight things I don't love) but as Nenette observed, a lot of the times when women show that they're happy with their bodies, they get some pretty serious criticism. How dare we be so vain?
I remember I once dated a PC anarchist very immature guy who used to say, "I feel guilty dating you, because you're so pretty that you make the other women feel bad."
Uh, how does one recover from that one? I mean, I could have said, "Yeah, I don't really feel bad about dating you since you're not that attractive, and I doubt that very many other women would want you."
I didn't, of course, but I did go through a period of time when I wondered if I should wear baggier clothes, cut my hair, stop wearing makeup, etc. He made me feel guilty for looking a way that society considered attractive. His ex girlfriend had a crew cut, never wore makeup, and wore huge baggy pants and sweatshirts. He always said he preferred the unisex look.
This is the same dude who said that he was afraid of water, so he needed me to take a shower with him. You have to give him some points for that one. Creativity, at least.
Ugh. Thank heaven I got out of that. The idea that it's somehow the fault of all traditionally attractive women if other women feel bad about themselves is absurd. However, even my brother-in-grace (MR's brother) seems to feel this way. In discussing the ban on thin supermodels, he said, "They're killing girls."
So if I openly admit to being happy with my body, will I be responsible for someone else feeling sad that she's not happy with her body?
Frankly, I think not. I think that people can take a little responsibility for how they feel. And if not happy... maybe do something about it?
Anyhow, here's my list:
8. Feet. I never liked them before, but MR loves them and has convinced me that they're cute. Currently, my toes are painted a shiny pumpkin orange color. Seasonal and all.
7. Fingernails. Long, but not too long, perfectly manicured. I wear acrylics, and I'm proud. Having been a nail biter all my life until I discovered the magic of the acrylic, I am very, very happy to have pretty nails.
6. Hair. Since CR, it's been long, fluffy, and very strong. Sometimes frizzy, and it definitely has a mind of its own, but as long as I let it do its own thing, it's happy.
5. Eyes. I have fairly bright green eyes that seem to go better with my red hair than they went with my (natural) brown.
4. Calve muscles. Especially when I've been doing a lot of treadmill workouts.
3. How graphic do you want me to get here? I appreciate being a healthy, fully functional (in the Data in Star Trek sense) young woman!
2. Pilates abs. They're not perfect yet, but they have already saved me from countless disasters, like when I slipped on the freshly waxed floor of the state capitol and would have wiped out had my Pilates abs not caught me. They also look great, and they feel very good. I call them "the push-up bra you don't have to wear!"
1. My ankles, because I have never broken or sprained them. This week Edward is walking aorund with a horrible sprain from playing touch football with his nephews, and I have new appreciation for my ankles.
I guess I love my health as a whole the most. The fact that my body does what it's supposed to do, supports everything else important that I do, and has so far been disease free. I can only pray for more of the same, and for more health for all of my friends and loved ones who are sufferering from accidents and illnesses.
And those Pilates muscles really are fun.
Posted by april at October 25, 2007 6:13 PM
Comments
You did not just throw out a TNG reference...my closeted supergeek cried out in recognition.
Posted by: S at October 25, 2007 4:52 PM
Oh, I miss my Pilates abs. :(
Great list!
"I feel guilty dating you, because you're so pretty that you make the other women feel bad."
How stupid could that guy be?! Although I went on a date with someone who said something similar... I just said, "That's okay... I went on this date out of pity anyway." Luckily, he took it as a joke... I didn't have any other ride home... I've since learned to THINK before opening my big mouth.
Did you tag anyone else? If you haven't, feel free!
xo,
nen
Posted by: Nenette at October 25, 2007 5:25 PM
Re MR's brother. I would agree with him about the models who appear anorexic -- a few of them actually are anorexic. I remeber you saying that you didn't have television so maybe you haven't seen any of them on TV in the latest backlash against being skinny as a pole.
Peg
Posted by: Peg D at October 25, 2007 6:22 PM
How funny to be the mommy and reading this post. I think how hard I tried to eat good food while nurturing the tiny April. Lots of apple juice, veggies, veggies, and more veggies, chicken, beef, and other regular stuff, probably too much bread, milky stuff (yuk, but I tried), craving for bacon bits, a little wine, craving for peppermint milkshakes with banana ice cream mixed in, lots of sleeping. Glad to know I do ok. Lots more veggies when you emerged and yes, those Weight Watcher pizzas and Taco Bell.
Posted by: Marti at October 26, 2007 8:01 AM
Feet rock! So do ankles! That's why socks are so important. And I totally know the "fully functional" TNG reference, but I guess I'm not a secret geek.
And the hair thing really is true. My hair looks a lot better now than six months agi.
Emi
Posted by: Emi at October 26, 2007 9:39 AM
Ok, April, I take your wonderful post and Nenette's and I've done my own:
http://tenacity.net/2007/11/eight-not-so-easy-pieces.html
Posted by: Andrea at November 7, 2007 4:02 PM