There it was. That dreaded scale. The one I thought would ring a bell loudly and shout,"Oh, jeez, please get off of me!"
I remember when I was young and my mother was on a diet. She put a gadget inside our refrigerator that, after opening the door to find something to eat, would scream "Close the door, fatty!"
I hated that contraption.
Self-image is an important reason why women (and men) spend thousands of dollars on beauty products each year. According to an article in MarketWatch.com, the Commerce Department reported, "Americans spent a whopping $33.3 billion on cosmetics and other beauty products in 2010, up 6% from 2009."
And according to a 2013 article in TIME article, "The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says that while total cosmetic surgeries fell by 2% last year, the number of what they call “minimally invasive” procedures rose by 6%. The most popular of these were Botox and Dysport injections, followed by soft tissue filler injections, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion."
We all want to look good.
But at what price? Our self-image starts when we're young. We begin by comparing ourselves to the most popular girls in grade school.
You know, the girls all the boys were going ga-ga over while our hormones were raging out of control. The ones with straight, shiny hair, button noses and long, slender legs who were good in gym and always wore the coolest clothes.
Sorry to digress. That was my memory. What? Did I hear you nodding your head? Phew.
Today, the news about self-image for young people is appalling. Take a look at recent statistics:
I don't know about you, but I find these numbers appalling. A female's self-image needs a lift, and young girls urgently need our help.
How can this be done?
Through education and awareness. And the buck stops here.
As a baby boomer and a mother, I feel a sense of urgency to portray ourselves in a positive light, and to be good role models for young people. However and whenever we can, we need to write messages that clearly demonstrate we are beautiful no matter what the scale says.
What society deems, and what glossy magazines portray, is not reality.
I want my clothes to fit better, and I'd like to feel healthier. It's simply unhealthy to carry any extra weight, especially when there are family genetics skewed in the wrong direction.
Taking steps toward wellness and living a healthier lifestyle is why I began the Jenny Craig program. I want to get back to eating regular portion sizes, bump up the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables I consume, drink more water and get more exercise.
When I was young I wanted to look like Christie Brinkley. Today, I am comfortable in my own skin.
I don't have straight, shiny hair or long, slender legs. But I do have my own unique brand of beauty, and that is something that every one of us has.
What did the scale say to me? It said "job well done" and "thanks beautiful."
At least in my heart it did.
What can you do to help change a young girl's self image?
*I received a free month on the Jenny Craig program and a discount on food products. There was no compensation. All opinions are solely my own. NOTE: Members following the Jenny Craig program lose, on average, 1 -2 lbs. per week.
What a terrific post Cathy. I LOVE what you're scale says to you!
Best of luck to you.
My (then) eight year old granddaughter suddenly told me she was 'fat'. I was shocked. This girl is an absolute beanpole! I had a long talk with her. She hasn't said it since. But I wonder what is still being said inside that head . . .
A very important post, Cathy! That contraception is appalling...kind of what my husband use to do to me!! But, I could not begin to lose weight until I accepted myself and dressed myself as I was. Once I was happy with Pam...then it was easier to start an exercise and weight loss plan. It is important for all women to see their own beauty...just as they are.
I was fat all through high school, basically decided on my own to change it! But I will confess, that my self image have been tinted, even though I wasn't bullied, I was one of the popular kids, in spite of….but deep inside, I wanted to change! The way I saw and see myself and others was affected by that and that's why I am trying to educate my son instead of labeling him, so he makes smart food choices to make him feel good, not bad about it. Loved your post, so right!
I think that weight is one aspect, certainly, of how we perceive ourselves. But the feedback we get from others on how likable we are is powerful, whether it is weight related, or not.
I hope the Jenny Craig program works well for you.
One to two pounds per week is realistic, achievable and can be maintained. I, too, had the idea that guys liked skinny legs and long hair. Turns out that was a myth.
I am so fortunate to have a 21 year old daughter who has a good body image. No matter what we say, the key is what other girls see us DO! Do we diet constantly? Do we make self-deprecating remarks? Do we subscribe to magazines that perpetuate body image issues? Do we watch shows that ultimately denigrate girls and their bodies? I truly believe we can support and reframe girls' self perception, one girl at a time. I focused on my daughter, now 21, 6 feet tall, and very confident in her own skin.
So much to say here, I don't know where to begin. I remember getting boxes of "hand-me-downs" from people I didn't know (courtesy of my grandmother in Detroit who must have thought my family needed the help.) I always felt uncomfortable in my skin, my hair, etc. My mother and I had huge fights about clothes, hair, skin, etc.So my self-image was never that great when I was a kid. It took many years and a lot of misfires, but today I feel good in my body, am working to keep strong and fit. There's always more work to be done, for sure. Our grandmothers looked "old" at 60+. I look in the mirror now and think: OK, not bad, not bad. Progress!
This is something that is so important to me. We didn't have that fridge gadget, but I so know. It's so rough, being a mom to a girl when I have had and sometimes still have my own self-image issues. But your post is really on-point. Thanks for sharing.
Great post, and so important. I think I'm going to put your words on my scale! Jenny Craig is such a good program, and you should be so proud of yourself for sticking to it. You are totally beautiful inside and out!
I am someone who has always been very self-critical. I am realizing lately that my daughters are unhappy with the way I see myself so I am trying to be more positive. I know it is important to send the right message, not only to them, but to everyone. Great post, Cathy.
It's a shame what the media can do to our self-image; that's why words like yours are so very important, Cathy! Besides, when is everyone going to realize that most of the images are air-brushed? Who looks like that in REAL life, anyway??
An important post. And very well done. As mother to three daughters, weight issues were some of the difficult to deal with, especially when one child (as an adult now) definitely has health issues related to the weight she gained after leaving home. Such a fine line when you want to be supportive and encourage healthy habits but not hurt her self esteem.
I never had a problem with weight until menopause. Now I have it. I'm fighting it all the time. You just reminded me to drink more water and yes eat less. It's something I have to be aware of all the time.
Cathy,
Bravo on reporting such important statistics. I think to change young girl's lives we have to show them the falseness in these comparisons and the fact that happiness comes from within. I do think that to feel their best young girls need to have good health habits, and that includes not eating lots of junk, and including exercise in their daily habits.
Someone recently asked me how long I'd been on a diet and I responded, "Since I've been in 6th grade." I've been up and down the scale and I'm on an upswing. Time to come back down. Sigh.