Weight

[idothattopeople]

I used to be fat. At least, I think I used to be fat. Old pictures of me show me as being kind of chubby, but nothing too fat. I have a memory of my doctor telling me that I was in the 98th percentile of weight for my height/age class. I think that means I was fat. Also, I have stretch marks. Sometimes I think that I gave birth to an alien baby,

Comments

[idothattopeople]

I've been really conscious of what foods I eat lately. Part of the story is the move away from eating land animals---having a restricted diet has gone hand-in-hand with being more conscious about my diet. I try to make sure I get fruits, veggies, starch, and some kind of protein-y thing. But the other part of the story is that I'm trying to keep my calorie intake low. Almost every day, I add up all the calories I've consumed, and that tells me what I'm "allowed" to eat at the end of the day. I've definitely internalized society's value of being low-weight. And I'm unsure how I feel about that, good or bad...

You are absolutely right about the ideals of male appearance. I would add to that list "tall". And that one stings. No matter what I do, no matter how much time I spend dieting or exercising, I will never be taller.

If I were to make a first stab at the differential damage of body-image and gender, it would be this: men and women are both given an unattainable ideal, but when men fall short of it, the consequences are portrayed as not being nearly as severe. A fat ugly guy can still marry a beautiful woman, but a fat ugly gal won't even get a date. (Or at least, that's my understanding of the tropes.)

[mintyfreshsocks]

I've kind of had the same quandary. I keep trying to eat healthier (often failing, oh sweet tooth), and often manage to. But I do that same sort of "not-allowed-to-eat-X" thing. Bleh. Dammit, I want my cheese and crackers. :P

Yeah, I should've added 'tall'. It's one I tend not to think of, because height isn't as important for women as men. But yeah---talk about things we REALLY can't change. . . .

I think I would agree with your assessment of the tropes. The consequences do seem to be less severe for men. I suspect this might be part of the underlying current where women are still, in many ways, valued most for their bodies, and not their brains or achievements. So, if you fail to meet that body ideal, you can't be anywhere near the ideal woman (whereas a man who fails to meet the body ideal could still be lauded for other characteristics).

[idothattopeople]

I'm reminded of the part of Gattaca where Ethan Hawk extends his legs to be taller. Eek!

I think you are absolutely right about how women are mostly valued for their bodies, and how this dovetails with the more severe consequences for women who fail to embody the physical ideal.