I read an article on Stuff.co.nz a few weeks ago titled 'Are You in Denial About Your Weight?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/7783073/Are-you-in-denial-about-your-weight
The article (based on an expert's advice) suggests people who think they may be in denial about their weight ask themselves the following questions:
- Do I have a body weight that falls within a healthy body mass index range?
- Does my body reflect who I really am?
- Do I honour and respect my body the way I should?
- Does my body support everything I want to do with my life? '
These are all questions that I have asked myself, because I believe that for a long time, I was in denial about my weight. My answers to the questions above are the very reasoning behind wanting to lose weight.
- Does my body reflect who I really am?
- Do I honour and respect my body the way I should?
- Does my body support everything I want to do with my life? '
These are all questions that I have asked myself, because I believe that for a long time, I was in denial about my weight. My answers to the questions above are the very reasoning behind wanting to lose weight.
Don't get me wrong. I think curves are great. My personal opinion is that curvy women are very attractive. But, there are curves and then there are... beyond curves. Curves that don't look healthy. In my view, an NZ size 14 or US size 10 is perfectly acceptable (for the average height woman). A US size 14 or an NZ size 18 and larger sizes advertised as 'the norm' is not sending the right message about what is a healthy weight. In the same context, super skinny catwalk models do not send a message of good health. There needs to be a balance - a healthy weight supported by a healthy diet.
Here is an image of a US size 6 (NZ 10) mannequin on the left compared with a US size 10 (NZ 14) on the right.
I have to say that I think the curves on the right are just lovely and don't look in the least unhealthy.
Then we have the now extremes of plus size models (US size 22) size 26 in NZ, who are now sending the message that being morbidly obese is not only acceptable but desirable.
I think about people who are obese and suffering for it. They have collapsed arches in their feet, compressed vertebrae and arthritis in their spines and knees and sleep apnoea. Their mobility is at times restricted and they have pain on a daily basis. I am not prepared to put myself through that - not even if it is fashionable!
Being morbidly obese carries many other serious health risks such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is a very real problem facing society and it should not be dismissed, ignored or worse glorified.
I aspire to be a healthy weight, to be physically fit, to have strength and flexibility, high energy levels, to live free of pain and illness - now and into the future. This is not an easy path to choose, but I believe it is the right path. It may be an easier road to live in denial and create new standards about what is right and acceptable so that we don't feel bad about ourselves, but I believe we can be smarter than that and start to question ourselves about where our choices are taking us.
I aspire to be a healthy weight, to be physically fit, to have strength and flexibility, high energy levels, to live free of pain and illness - now and into the future. This is not an easy path to choose, but I believe it is the right path. It may be an easier road to live in denial and create new standards about what is right and acceptable so that we don't feel bad about ourselves, but I believe we can be smarter than that and start to question ourselves about where our choices are taking us.
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