Lets Have Dinner In Our Underwear Thanks To Body Induced Anxiety
By admin
This might be TMI, and Dan might tell me to hush my mouth but we’re all friends…
This past weekend, I came out of the bedroom prancing around in a new silky blue pair of panties and matching bra. I looked sexy, I felt sexy and my husband told me I looked great.
He approved of the outfit I chose for cooking dinner in.
Did you think I was going to show my outfit? Umm, no.
Anyways…
After dancing around for a few minutes, I went back into the bedroom and slipped on a tank top.
I came back out to hear, “What happened to my sexy wife?”
“Your sexy wife is getting ready to sit on the couch and I don’t want to do that with my stomach showing.”
He made a huff and a puff, told me I was crazy and tried to remind me that when EVERYONE sits down they have a few rolls… “It’s called skin, and see even I can pinch an inch or more when sitting down.”
He made a few great points, but I wasn’t sold. I didn’t want to sit on the couch watching a movie and be anxious that my skin rolls weren’t skin rolls at all.
It seems I am not alone…
- According to one study, over 10 million women (in the UK) report being anxious and depressed about their bodies.
Considering that there are only 31 million women in the UK, that’s ⅓ of the population! ONE THIRD!
Many of which are so anxious by their reflection that they’re too self conscious to even go to the gym, so they don’t workout at all. Only feeling worse and worse about the image they see of themselves.
And let’s face it, the reflection they see probably isn’t the reflection that others see. We are our toughest critics… always.
It’s sad, isn’t it?
Here’s another point…
- Almost half a million women have stopped swimming due to fear of how their bodies look in bathing suits.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I LOVE swimming. I like swimming like Buddy the Elf likes sugar.
Hell, I love swimming as much as Buddy the Elf likes smiling!
I’ve never thought of avoiding it because of a bathing suit.
But I will admit, there are times when I don’t feel 100% comfortable or I compare myself to the other girls around me. But at no point have I ever thought of not going at all. I feel like being uncomfortable in a bathing suit is just part of being a women, lol.
Overcoming Body Anxiety
So, what’s a gal to do?
First off, don’t think you’re crazy. Your feelings are your own and no one can tell you that you don’t deserve to feel a certain way.
Next, realize that you’re not the only woman in the world that worries how she looks. Every single women has body hang ups.
→ Does this make my butt look big? look flat?
→ Do I look bloated?
→ Why does she look so great when I know I work harder and eat better?
→ Could my thighs rub together any more?
→ Man, I wish I had bigger boobs!
→ Man, I wish I had smaller boobs!
Whatever it is… you are not alone in your fears. Yes, even Giselle.
Somehow that makes me feel a little better and helps me to realize no one sees themselves as perfect.
Just like in life, perfect doesn’t exist which is a good thing as it keeps us chasing goals and dreams.
Use it as motivation, not a road block. Out of all the women with body anxiety, I feel worse for the ones that don’t do things they love (swim), or things they know they should (workout).
Your body is your body. Own it for what it is today, but accept the fact that you can take action. Instead of using your figure as an excuse to no hit up the gym, use it as an excuse to start a workout program right in the comfort at your own home! Or where ever you feel comfortable.
Don’t want to swim? Once you’re in the water and doing something fun, you’ll forget about the anxiety and realize just how silly it was to avoid having the sun on your skin. The hardest part, like life is just showing up and taking the first step.
How often have you been afraid of something, taken a deep breath and gone for it? Let me guess, it wasn’t as bad as you thought, right?
Well, showing of your body in a bathing suit is the same way.
What’s going to happen? Nothing! You’re going to swim and enjoy it.
And finally, start looking at your body more often! Yup, more often, not less. Start sleeping in less clothing, stop wearing baggy clothes to the gym, or a cover-up even when in the water. You’ll adapt and grow more comfortable in your own skin. Seriously!
The more you do something, the more natural it becomes!
To help…
Change Your Mind Set Without Lying
Stop thinking shitty thoughts. Dan recently sent me this blog post to read, “Shitty Beliefs = Shitty Bodies” and it made some amazing points.
If all we do is concentrate on our cellulite, our love handles, tummy rolls or dangly arms with disappointment and disgust, then it’s likely to stay just the way it is. Right?
If we begin talking to ourselves with love, respect and a belief that we can change, then suddenly we begin taking steps to to change! What an amazing concept.
What I love more, it’s not about lying to yourself and saying things like, “I don’t have a single cellulite dimple” but instead wording it in a way that can be true… “I used to not have cellulite (as much), I can decrease it again!”.
I used to tell myself all the time, “I have a 6-pack, I have a 6-pack”.
I knew it was a lie and therefore I never really took action. It wasn’t until recently that I began looking at things differently… “I can get a 6 pack. I can dedicate myself to focused goals.”
And lo and behold, it’s helping. No 6-pack yet, but I have been focused on my nutrition (no sneaking treats or carb loading) and my workouts are feeling great.
The bottom line is this…
We’re not happy with our bodies… today. Maybe we never will be.
But we can take steps to decrease anxiety and love ourselves more.
I mean seriously y’all… isn’t there enough stress in our lives without having a panic attack over how a dress makes our ass look?
I, for one, say yes there is.
In fact.. I’m going to eat dinner in my bra and panties tonight… Anyone else that can (i.e. no kids, roommates, etc) is invited to join the underwear dinner party!