A Woman’s Body and Self-Perception

A girls’ meet up time with a lovely friend of mine, inspired this write-up about our body and self-image. She shared a poignant story of a close relative of hers who made a decision to do cosmetic surgery.

This same discussion popped up during a talk I gave at a Women’s Conference. It was fascinating to hear different perspectives on our response to our self-concept and what others think of us. Until you talk to other women you would not fully understand the struggles they go through. The  way we see ourselves, cognizant of our appearance, abilities, and worth encompass our self-image.

Be rest reassured you’re not alone.

Changes in our bodies are inevitable starting from when we are young girls, to teenage years and adulthood. Women’s self-image is influenced and shaped by multiple factors including social, cultural, psychological, and personal.

But first, let’s explore together some unavoidable physical changes in our bodies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Hormonal

My body can change up to twice a month! Some ladies would experience fluid retention, bloating, increased breast size, and generally feel heavier at some point in their cycle. Most immediate response would be changing what we wear. I personally would get into more comfortable clothing, larger and less flattering; they hide those extra bulges 🙂

Mood Changes or Stress

Oh, don’t forget the days and nights of relentless comforting eating. You have had a particularly difficult day at work or even at home. We go bee-line for those sugar rich foods. This accumulates overtime if our stress level is sustained leading to unwanted weight gain.

Pregnancy and Beyond…

It was indeed fascinating watching my body change during my first pregnancy. I heartily welcomed these changes because I knew it was because of an amazing miracle. By the end of the pregnancy, I was so ready to go back to my pre-pregnancy body. Fortunately for me, I had good muscle memory. Five years down the line, the 2nd pregnancy came along, however I was not so lucky this time, seven years later still struggling to lose the weight.

Genetics

This is one of the primary determinants of our body shape, muscle mass, and potential influence on our body weight. Being aware of this earlier on in my life, drove my lifestyle of diet and regular exercises. The best part of my body I love most are my eyes, it is fascinating to see a lot of our physical features in our children, mine are the eyes and the wide hips.

Ageing

Women’s bodies change with age. The younger women feel the societal pressure to be thin and beautiful while the older women experience a shift in weight and fat distribution from the legs to the waist with increase in fat and less muscle mass. These changes shift the female body away from the thin-young-ideal, as set by the societal norm of female beauty.

Life priorities and psychological factors evolve with age, chronic health conditions impact how women view their bodies.  A study suggested that these collective factors prime older women for negative body image, which makes them susceptible to eating disorders.

Here’s my blog write-up on a few medical conditions that can potentially influence our weight.

8 Medical Reasons Why Women Have Challenging Weight Loss?

What more…

We cannot underestimate the magnanimous impact of social media and pop culture which constantly glamourise specific body, hair, and skin features. Creating these unrealistic body image standards puts an immense pressure on a number of girls and women, creating dissatisfaction especially if you do not fit into these ideals.

Did your parents’ attitudes towards their own bodies and their comments about yours have an impact on your self-image? In the same way, your friends and social circles play a significant role. Positive or negative comments and comparisons have an impact on self-esteem and body image. When I was younger I heard it all the time that I have muscular legs, in a way that was not particularly flattering, so much so I hated wearing skirts.

As a teenager, I had a tiny waist, wider hips, and was pretty aware of being the smallest and shortest amongst others. Now bear in mind, having big hips at that time was not “in vogue”! And now, it is all the rave! In hindsight… What a “mad” body shape! Many would pay loads to have in this present times. This demonstrates how the society shifts the goal posts on a woman’s appearance and what is applauded.

Anyhoo… I wish I was more insightful into my own body and self-image at a younger age and heard more affirming comments about these features. Societal and differing cultures have varied standards of beauty and gender roles, that invariably put pressure on women to conform to certain appearances. 

We know that low self-esteem can lead to a negative self-image and vice versa leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. 

Let’s appreciate the known fact that our bodies will change, be comfortable and content in who we are! That does not say we shouldn’t look after our bodies or look good. However, while you are at it, be certainly pleased and love who you are.

I have split this blogpost into two parts so as not to overwhelm you! 🙂 The next article is more on the impact of these changes on women, in all ramifications. My chat with an Aesthetic Nurse on cosmetic procedures. Thank you once again for taking time to read my write ups, please do not forget to share.

Much Love

Yemisi x