I recently posted a thread about trying to add muscle to these spindly legs, have commented numerous times about the allergic circles under my eyes, and mentioned in Lana’s post that I’m trying to get my arms more sculpted. I’ve enjoyed exercise and physical activity my whole life, but am thinking about appearance more than I ever did. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I really enjoyed the way my body looked last summer (except for that bruise—ugh!—and its effects) and am excited about this summer.
I generally lose weight naturally over the summer. Used to be, I might’ve gotten stronger naturally too, just from more energy to work out. These days I push that a little, and in this cool spring (high near 60 today) I’ve just given the summer weight loss a 4-week kick start by limiting calories to 1200/day. Most of the winter mantel is gone, and I’m back to normal eating. I’ve also been busy in the gym, and just hit a strength milestone.
I think about my appearance, sartorially and physically, more than ever, and have things I’m changing. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, or that I’m negative about it. Some people change their living room configuration every week, moving the couch, painting the walls, changing out throw pillows. All this tinkering is a sign that we like the thing we are playing with. Ms Maven posted a while ago that she had noticed with some working out that she could change her body relatively quickly, and I thought “yessssss!” I can relate to that, and am encouraged to hear it doesn’t need to stop.
But you didn’t ask our inner monologues. You asked if we hide things we don’t like about our bodies. I don’t. If I don’t like my arms in sleeveless tops, I change the arms, not the tops. Until I do, the world will have to deal with my batwings, or look away. The dark circles have been there my whole life. My son inherited them. Neither of us is about to wear a niqab. The one thing I “hide”, if you want to call it that, is my belly. But really, it goes the other way. I didn’t wear bikinis as a teen, until they came out with tops like sports bras, but I have fun with them now. I’m working on my abs, and when I have some to show, I will. Occasionally. In a carefully chosen top. It will be the first time I have ever worn such a thing. Some people won’t like it, just like some don’t like my shorts or miniskirts. Look away, look away, look away, Dixieland.
You also mentioned skin. Mine is getting thinner. My knees look old, and the skin on my torso folds in funny ways. I don’t think there is much to be done about that. So far it doesn’t bother me. It’s just something I’ve noticed. I’ve also observed more freckles. If the world doesn’t like them, they can look away. My body, whether it’s covered at the moment or not, is for me, not for other people’s pleasure. (Well, unless I invite him over for very specific sorts of shared pleasure, tee hee). It’s for mine.
Sorry to go so long. Tried to shorten it, always felt the results sounded curt & more likely to be triggering.
