Comments on: Body Image by the Book

By: Faith Ellens

Faith Ellens — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:04:39 +0000

Gorgeous photo! She’s definitely oozing with confidence. Great job!

By: Shiela Marvel

Shiela Marvel — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:39:55 +0000

This is wonderful! Constance exudes the confidence that we, in all ages, should express as well. Just wonderfully inspiring!

By: Diana Keough

Diana Keough — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:27:34 +0000

This article is so great, as is your entie blog. I added a Weight Loss/Body Image community on my website, shareWIK (share What I Know) and would love your input! ShareWIK is an online community bringing together people of all areas of expertise so that they can share what they know. Keep up the great work, and we would love to hear from you!

By: Rosanne

Rosanne — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:19:45 +0000

In response to “Uncomfortable”–looking for techniques to gain a positive self image:
Self image is a complicated thing. I knew that and discovered it even more when I did my book “This is Who I Am–our beauty in all shapes and sizes.” What I love to do is to help women see themselves as beautiful. Usually I do this through photography. I have created a questionnaire that I ask my subjects to think about (write about) prior to our photo sessions. Perhaps they will be of help to others. Some of the questions are:
-What do you love about your body?
-What, if anything, would you like to change?
-What are some ways you take care of yourself?
-How has your physical body changed as you get older?
-Has your tenderness toward yourself changed as you get older? More? Less?
-Did your mother help you learn to have positive self-esteem? If so, how?

These questions won’t make you feel better automatically–but they are a starting point. And even better is discussing them with friends–learning that you are not alone in your feelings.

By: Lara

Lara — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:12:56 +0000

How amazing that Constance is 80 years old..what an inspiration to us all.

By: Kiki

Kiki — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:28:53 +0000

I just read a book that addressed this self hatred so many of us experience better than anything I’ve seen in a long, long time. It’s called Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth about Your Weight — you can find out more about it at http://www.lindabacon.org/HAESbook/.

I hope to get more info about the Health at Every Size movement onto the OBOS website and blog soon!

By: Uncomfortable

Uncomfortable — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:02:47 +0000

I have yet to find a technique to help myself overcome my negative self image. I have always been on the larger side of things, usually on the upper limit of appropriate weight for height and sometimes ten pounds more, but never obese. My figure under clothing appears propotionate however underneather, I feel horrified, from my large thighs, bulge in my stomach, stretch marks on my boobs and general pear shape body. People who are close to me are shocked that I feel this way because I have a pretty face, nice color hair, intellegint, and well dress. As indicated above, I am proporsionate and don’t look freakish with clothing. I have yet to have sexual relations with a man an can’t imagine taking off my clothing.

Does anyone out there know of a technique to help me gain a positive self-image of who I am, regardless of my weight?

By: marieariel

marieariel — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:59:53 +0000

When I visit the museums and see the women in the paintings, I feel a lot better knowing that I am pretty average not only for my time period (despite the images pushed by the media) but for centuries of women.

By: Margie

Margie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:56:01 +0000

Constance is beautiful.