Day Eighteen January 19, 2014

Today is day 18 of 'My Big Fat Juice Cleanse'.  On this terribly blustery day here in Niagara, my thoughts go to Mexico.  I love a stormy day as much as the next Canadian, but I love the sun, surf and sand more.  I have planned a winter getaway with some friends and family.  A reprieve from all that is a Canadian winter.  In the throws of February, the charm of one more snow storm is more than I care to take.  So off to Mexico, to all that is sunny and warm.

Then comes the realization...bathing suit...photos of me in said bathing suit.  I have never been one to shy away from showing my body in a swim suit...doesn't mean I relish the thought.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not obsessing over what I look like in a swim suit.  I'm 51 years old, have two children, and haven't treated my body the best over the years...what I'm saying is, I'm not expecting a modelling contract in my future.  "I" like my body, it has served me well.  I think it is beautiful even though I am overweight.  If I lose weight, I believe I will still feel the same way.  Losing weight does not make you resolve body issues.  You will be the same inside your head, but in a smaller package.  If you hate your thighs, you will hate your thighs after weight loss.  If you love them, you will still love them.

Societies interpretation of beauty is fucked.  I'm talking about North America here.  The images that bombard women are not only offensive, but they are hugely unrealistic.  Even those heart warming Dove ads piss me off.  They are preying on our insecurities, telling us it is okay to be heavy or short, or whatever, as long as you use Dove products...you are ok with you.  The women in those billboard ads are touched up...what does that say about 'being right just as you are'.  Besides, Dove products contain 9 of the 12 carcinogens on the Breast Cancer Actions watch list (I'll save that rant for another time).

I'm just saying, each of us needs to find our own definition of beauty.  We cannot be fed the definition by the media, friends, family...whoever.  It must come from us, from within.  The standard of beauty that our girls are having jammed down their throats is dangerous.  When the hell did looking like a 11 year old boy become appropriate for women?  It just grinds my gears.  Women should look like women!

If you are overweight...embrace your curves.  If you are thin without curves, embrace that.  We must stop judging ourselves against impossible images.  I am all for self improvement, but only if it is healthy and based on reality.

When did this become overweight and not beautiful?  People arguing that she was this size or that...how much did she weigh?...who cares!!  She had a physique heavier and curvier than that which is en vogue now...but she, in my opinion is beautiful (physically at least).