52 shades of glitter

 In March I posted a picture on my business facebook page...
This picture....

I found this picture to be so creative and even beautiful. Why did I identify with it? Would I have liked it if the body was wider or thinner or blonde?  I think YES. I just loved the creativeness of it. I also felt it opened up a conversation about body image. The only problem is I had no idea the kind of opinionated conversation it was really going to open. I had readers defriend me, I had readers tell me it was sexist and that if I was marketing something it was the  wrong kind of  marketing, and I was left feeling confused.
 In my world of Health coaching I have been looking for my true authentic self, and I really felt by posting this picture I was expressing that. When I realized not everyone liked it, or agreed with it, I took it off, and started second guessing my morals. IF she had been full frontal nudity, maybe I would not have liked it. I felt it was tasteful. I do agree that the media does send messages to young teens and children that are detremental. That we have to be objects to be sexy and be thin and young and not have sagging parts or wrinkles or we ARE not beautiful.

a fellow health coach sent me this message:
 Lisa,
" As a fellow health coach and in all kindness, I am conerned about the photo you posted. You should be afraid to post provacative pictures. I was personally offended by your page.
I am telling you this as a friend. You don't want negative likes because of this kind of "advertising". I just don't think it's professional."

 This was a lot to think about....

 In college I even did a study on adverstising and women, and was shocked by some of the ads I found. The picture ( Eat green to go green) in my mind was there to motivate others to maintain healthy behaviors by eating more greens.
 Did you know that body image is the picture of your body that you hold in your mind. Body image is made up of many events in your life including:

* How your family members react to your body
* How your body changes as you grow
* Any experience of physical or sexual abuse you may have had
* How your body feels
* How you feel about being a girl or boy
* Sports or movement classes in which you might participate
* Accidents and illnesses your may have had
* Your ethnicity and or community
* messages from media, such as tv, computer, magazines an movies.

Now the people that reacted may have been affected by the photo by one of the above listed things. I wonder what happened to the days of art history when women and art nudes were not concidered inappropriate, dangerous or distasteful.

I look at bodies- the womens body as art, if done correctly.... would the person who commented on my page be offened by this picture?

 

 

Most people find the subject around being naked or sex as taboo. A few years back when I was almost 200 lbs I decided to do a boudoir photo shoot for my husband for Valentines day. It turned out to be a big learning experience for me and also very healing. I had my friends tell me I was crazy and brave and nuts to undress and have pictures take of me with little clothing.

when I showed some friends they told me I had confidence...and that they would never do it. WHY? because hey don't like what they see in the mirror... because we are taught that if we are not thin, young, perky or wrinkle free we are NOT  beautiful. I know for many body image is painful, and most women have a distorted view of their bodies. Why can't women see their inner essence? their inner beauty. Maybe because of magazines, tv and media. Then is my photo promoting postive or negative body image?

 

This is one of the pictures I had done

 

I also did a black and white one that has been featured in a online magazine called Nourish. It talked about how I had to heal from feeling I looked beautiful in the pictures and then my husband told me my leg looked a bit like a ham hock. It hurt at the time, and it wasn't a kind thing to say, but I love that I had the courage to embrace my body.

 

Evidence shows that individuals with body image dissatisfaction are less likely to value their body, or priortise their health, and are more likely to engage in disordered or unhealthy behaviors. (eating disorders, undermined self-confidence,not participating in sports)

 

Did you see the new dove commericial...

 

 

watch here

 

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It illustrates how women don't see their true beauty.

A friend of mine Shelley shared with me a great link to a great speaker who talks about body image.

 

Listen here

 

http://www.mariabucaro.com

IF you have time check her out.

I also ran across a great MOVEMENT called the Operation Post IT....

It is a book by Caitlin Boyle called Operation Beautiful.

 

 

 

So I invite you to do one of 3 things..and if you really are feeling it..sprinkle 52 shades of glitter and do all 3.

 

 

1. Begin starting tomorrow by putting a post it note, on your mirror, saying I am beautiful, or you are worth it, believe that you can and you will, you are doing a great job.

2. Begin to think about hiring a photographer to do a photo shoot with you.... I love

tamme.zenfolio.com

She does Goddess (girl) women photo shoots...

Tamme Stitt photography in kingston. ( I am planning a Goddess day in the fall and hoping to have a photographer at that event)

3. Think about taking my class:

LOVING THE ME I SEE

Imagine walking up to a mirror and really looking at yourself. YOU are really happy with what you see. Learn how to begin to break free of long-held limitations, and negative talk. Begin to notice higher frequencies of love. Perceive love as something inside of you, not something to find or get. We will do a powerful exercise with a collage of a “mirror” and we will write a letter to ourselves.

We will be doing meditations, music and exercises in the first series in a group of 4.

BEING held in the Healing Arts Studio on Broadway.

Either way....spinkle some 52 shades of glitter and find your beautiful.