A Struggle with Body Image
I made a decision a few weeks ago, and it’s hopefully the beginning of a journey that I will be able to share with you all.
I do not have a lifelong history of struggling with my weight. I was a “healthy” weight in high school, and a “healthy”-ish weight when I became pregnant. After my son was born, I gradually made it back down towards my “healthy”-ish weight. No one at my doctor’s office has ever commented on my weight, nor on my exercise habits. I love to eat and I love to cook. What I have is an almost lifelong history of a healthy body image.
I do not struggle with my weight.
I struggle with perception.
I struggle with acceptance.
I struggle with genetics.
I struggle with the media and the never-ending messages that seep into my brain and into my consciousness and tell me that my body isn’t good enough. That I need to have this shape or that shape. Larger boobs, smaller boobs, larger butt, smaller butt. Whatever, it goes on and on.
So the decision is this: Take better care of myself. Pay attention to what I’m feeding my body instead of mindlessly consuming. Focus on the wonderful parts – the parts I love and that are uniquely mine. This is my body and I know it’s awesome, and I want to treat it that way. With it I grew a child, nourished that child, hug that child and everyone else that is so important in my life. This is about recognizing that I could take better care of myself, that I deserve to take better care of myself. That I can continue to think that society’s standards on beauty and fitness, and in general what women are supposed to be/look/feel, are messed up, while still taking care of myself.
So, here’s to making a decision and the beginning of what is hopefully a wonderful journey!
Also, for the record, I think that society’s standards of how men are supposed to be/look/feel are pretty messed up too. While I’m mentioning it, if you haven’t seen Miss Representation, I think you should. It’s available on Netflix or to watch here for a small price.
I’d love to hear more about your own journey with health and body love!
About Shaina Charron
Shaina Charron has lived in Rochester for 25 years. She is the mother of one four and a half year old little boy. She spends her days trying to gratefully fill her roles as a mom, daughter, sister, friend, student, and employee. In January 2010 she left a full-time job of two years in order to spend more time with her child and return to college. She is currently earning her Liberal Arts Associates Degree and planning a transfer to a four year school where she can study social work.
Shaina enjoys spending time with her family and their beloved pets, crafting, reading (her favorites are the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling), eating and cooking (mostly vegetarian, though occasionally gluten free and vegan as well), spending time with friends, and being outside in nature.
As a mother, she’s found breastfeeding, bed-sharing and gentle discipline to be the best fit for her child. She dreams about the beach in Florida, living in a cabin in the woods, and taking a cross country trip without any sort of time or financial restraints. She is looking forward to sharing her adventures with you.