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Our LJ community is inspired from efforts from The Body Shop's value of Activating Self Esteem, Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, and NOW's (National Organization for Women) Love Your Body Campaign. These three international efforts have been widely recognized and praised for debunking beauty stereotypes that affect a woman's self-image and self-esteem.
Here are Ten Ways to Love Your Body, suggested by NOW Foundation:
10 Ways to Love Your Body
Here, from The Body Shop, are ways we can Challenge the Beauty Myth:
1. Make a List of People You Admire
Ask yourself - how often is the person’s appearance a reason that you admire them? What do you think are the most important attributes a person can have? What would you like another person to most admire in you? Does our culture seem to admire the same things in people that you do?
2. Question the Motives of the Beauty Industry
Always remember that the main objective of the fashion, cosmetic, diet, fitness and plastic surgery industries is to make money, not to make you the best person you can possibly be. The ultra thin ideal is working for them. But is it working for you?
3. Stop Weighing Yourself
Cut yourself some slack. Imagine spending a day, or a week, without the scale measuring your self-esteem. Get rid of it. The emphasis on thin is new and arbitrary. And it can be reversed.
4. Concentrate on Things You Do Well
Do you look in the mirror one day and think you look great and the next day and think you look awful? Your body isn't changing, your perception of it is. It is true that if you're feeling good about other things in your life, you'll be less critical of how you look. Do things you do well. And if you've had a bad day, stay away from the mirror. When a person is happy and confident, he or she doesn't give a damn!
5. Get Physical For Fun
Your body needs EXCERCISE and REAL FOODS. Take walks, dance in your living room, garden, golf...try to get moving for your heart, not to decrease the size of your bottom. You may lose weight and you may not, but your body will be stronger, your stress will be lower and you'll feel better.
6. Value Your Dollars
A quick review of most media demonstrates just how much your dollars are much in demand. You are being courted! How much of your money goes into the beauty industry? What are you getting back? Look at your budget and be sure the money you spend reflects the person you are, not the person society wants you to be. If looks didn't matter at all, what would you spend your money on?
7. Voice Your Opinion
Both large and small businesses are interested in your input. Your letters, e-mails or phone calls really make a difference - and try to work out ‘where the buck stops’. That is, if you see an ad in a magazine that really offends you don’t just complain to the publication - go direct to the source - contact the manufacturer of the product in the ad - after all they are the ones after your money!
8. Be a Role Model
Every culture and every generation has its own rules and expectations. It is never easy to go against the grain, but there have always been those who took risks to grow and learn and succeed. And, there always will be. Many inspirational women and men have broken moulds, set new standards, and blazed trails. Wouldn't you like to break a mould or two?
9. Stop Talking About Your Weight (especially in front of young girls)
Young girls (in particular) listen to the way many women (in particular) talk about themselves and each other and learn the language of ‘beauty’. Young people can only learn to love or even accept their bodies if they see those around them who love and accept theirs. Every discussion we have about weight, or fat, or being too this or that, leaves an impression on the people around us. We are encouraging an unattainable quest for perfection - and this goes for comments about other’s bodies as well!
10. Learn a new language!
Stop using comments related to appearance as praise and start working on complimenting others on their mind and spirit. Turn ‘crows feet’ into ‘laugh lines’ and see how much better you can feel! It may take a bit of practice to develop the translations - but it will help yourself and others on the journey from valuing ‘beauty’ as a physical trait to ones which transcends our bodies - whatever shape, size, colour or age they may be.
"There are three billion women in the world who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do". -The Body Shop
Know your mind, love your body, love yourself. :-)
Here are Ten Ways to Love Your Body, suggested by NOW Foundation:
10 Ways to Love Your Body
- Indulge on your own terms. Whether it's fresh veggies from the Farmer's Market, or a pint of Häagen Dazs Vanilla Fudge ice cream or loving your body is also about loving your taste buds every once in a while.
- Stretch your mind and body. Yoga-gentle yoga that encompasses relaxation and a healthy lifestyle, as well as meditative yoga-can bring one to the consciousness of their unique inner being. Yoga can rejuvenate the mind and body and teach us how to care for ourselves.
- Read. It can be a source of entertainment, a way to catch up on current events or an educational tool. Several books have been published on loving your body-get some new ideas!
- Throw a private party. It worked for India.Arie and it can work for you too. Take a day for yourself and yourself only. Turn off your cell and log out of your instant messenger. Just spend the day looking in the mirror and exploring your body. Once the celebration is over you'll realize that you learn something new everyday.
- Laugh out Loud. This isn't just an Internet acronym spelled out. It's an action that will do your body some good. Don't be afraid to show the world your smile. It's contagious.
- Have safe sex. Loving our bodies is about keeping them healthy and free from diseases. And besides, there's nothing like getting a two for one on Love Your Body Day.
- Spend time with your family. Whether it's a pet or partner, your spouse or a sibling, quality time is a must-have in nurturing relationships which in turn nurture and love your body.
- Listen to positive music. Developing a theme song can do wonders for your body esteem and your overall outlook.
- Develop a creative outlet. Everyone needs a medium to express daily stress and frustrations constructively. Maybe you're a photographer, writer, poet or all three. Maybe you can knit, make shapes out of clay or finger paint. Loving your body is also about loving your mind.
- Contribute to NOW Foundation so that they continue to give great ideas through the Love Your Body Campaign. Send us your ideas.
Here, from The Body Shop, are ways we can Challenge the Beauty Myth:
1. Make a List of People You Admire
Ask yourself - how often is the person’s appearance a reason that you admire them? What do you think are the most important attributes a person can have? What would you like another person to most admire in you? Does our culture seem to admire the same things in people that you do?
2. Question the Motives of the Beauty Industry
Always remember that the main objective of the fashion, cosmetic, diet, fitness and plastic surgery industries is to make money, not to make you the best person you can possibly be. The ultra thin ideal is working for them. But is it working for you?
3. Stop Weighing Yourself
Cut yourself some slack. Imagine spending a day, or a week, without the scale measuring your self-esteem. Get rid of it. The emphasis on thin is new and arbitrary. And it can be reversed.
4. Concentrate on Things You Do Well
Do you look in the mirror one day and think you look great and the next day and think you look awful? Your body isn't changing, your perception of it is. It is true that if you're feeling good about other things in your life, you'll be less critical of how you look. Do things you do well. And if you've had a bad day, stay away from the mirror. When a person is happy and confident, he or she doesn't give a damn!
5. Get Physical For Fun
Your body needs EXCERCISE and REAL FOODS. Take walks, dance in your living room, garden, golf...try to get moving for your heart, not to decrease the size of your bottom. You may lose weight and you may not, but your body will be stronger, your stress will be lower and you'll feel better.
6. Value Your Dollars
A quick review of most media demonstrates just how much your dollars are much in demand. You are being courted! How much of your money goes into the beauty industry? What are you getting back? Look at your budget and be sure the money you spend reflects the person you are, not the person society wants you to be. If looks didn't matter at all, what would you spend your money on?
7. Voice Your Opinion
Both large and small businesses are interested in your input. Your letters, e-mails or phone calls really make a difference - and try to work out ‘where the buck stops’. That is, if you see an ad in a magazine that really offends you don’t just complain to the publication - go direct to the source - contact the manufacturer of the product in the ad - after all they are the ones after your money!
8. Be a Role Model
Every culture and every generation has its own rules and expectations. It is never easy to go against the grain, but there have always been those who took risks to grow and learn and succeed. And, there always will be. Many inspirational women and men have broken moulds, set new standards, and blazed trails. Wouldn't you like to break a mould or two?
9. Stop Talking About Your Weight (especially in front of young girls)
Young girls (in particular) listen to the way many women (in particular) talk about themselves and each other and learn the language of ‘beauty’. Young people can only learn to love or even accept their bodies if they see those around them who love and accept theirs. Every discussion we have about weight, or fat, or being too this or that, leaves an impression on the people around us. We are encouraging an unattainable quest for perfection - and this goes for comments about other’s bodies as well!
10. Learn a new language!
Stop using comments related to appearance as praise and start working on complimenting others on their mind and spirit. Turn ‘crows feet’ into ‘laugh lines’ and see how much better you can feel! It may take a bit of practice to develop the translations - but it will help yourself and others on the journey from valuing ‘beauty’ as a physical trait to ones which transcends our bodies - whatever shape, size, colour or age they may be.
"There are three billion women in the world who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do". -The Body Shop
Know your mind, love your body, love yourself. :-)