Do you think it's possible to have a positive body image? I feel like I will NEVER be happy with my body. Especially with the way the media and Hollywood market womens figures.

So tell me: yes or no - do you think you can have a positive body image?

I guess it would all depend on your goals and where you started. I really pay no attention to what the media and hollywood deems "sexy" in both men or women. I know what I used to look like and what I look like now. No, I am not completely satisfied with my appearance yet, but in my eyes I am not far off. I really don't care what people think about me. As long as I am happy and feel good, then I am happy. But yes, I can be happy with my body, I am happy with it now and close to being extremely happy with what I have accomplished.

I think you look GREAT Wendy and have accomplished so much in the short time that I have known you. I think it would be a shame if you eventually you don't become happy with what you accomplished and enjoy it. You deserve it. Everyone that busts there butts deserve it.

I answered yes not because I have a good body image but because I know of someone who does, so I feel it is possible. This person that I know thinks she is hot and that whatever clothing she puts on, she looks good in it. In her mind, she thinks she looks younger than she is and that every man wants her. I think she looks like she's in need of a face lift and that her gut is huge. I don't know where she got her good self-image from. She is 20 years older than me. Maybe that is why. My generation grew up with MTV, where a female is a piece of meat. I wish I had her good self-image. Then again, is it she is lying to herself and I am being realistic as to my body faults?

What - were you just board and wanted to start a thread?

Have you thought about people who are vain and in love with themselves? Well all of them have a possitive body image.

If you have a reasonable body and you do not have a phycological problem then you will be happy about the way you look.

A postive body image, comes from both the physical and mental sides. I am not where, I want to be yet. However I am a long ways from where I was. I have a great body image. I am confident in myself, and do not worry to much about the other stuff. We have no control over what people think, so why worry about it. By the way, you have nothing to worry about Wendy...

Jim Ed

people always look at the negatives and not the positives when it comes to body image.

I would have say that i don't have a bad body image, but its not that i'm arrogant... its that i know how much my body has improved. I definitly know where my areas for improvement are, and i'll continue to work on those. As long as i'm seeing progress, i'm pretty happy with my body.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having "problem areas" or a part of your body that you're not happy with. That's simply another reason to keep working hard towards your goals. I actually like having a moving target when it comes to fitness, because if i knew exactly where i wanted to be, i would be pretty bored when i finally got there.

I think that was my main point. Because I am only 4pounds away from my goal and I am no where near happy with where I am. So, then I decided another 5 after that. But what if I get there and it's still not good enough? I know I won't be happy. So then I will want to go even further. Ah well. Those are my issues I guess. LOL

mmm, I just saw this. I have a positive body image. Some people call me conceited or vein. It's not so. I just don't concentrate on my flaws, turst me I have them, I just know how to conceal them, I play up the positives or the things I'm happy with. I always strive to be the best "me" at whatever stage I am in life.

I work too damn hard NOT to have a good attitude

Yes you can have a positive body image. If you are happy with yourself and show the other people that you have confindence, you will portray that. If you feel negative you will portray that too.

You have come along way, don't forget about that. I'm nowhere close to where I want to be, but if for some reason I don't make it, I'm happy where I am. Going from a 22 to a 16 is a big accomplishement for me.

Honestly, i think that the strongest of people are not the physically strongest, but those that are happy with themselves and always see life through a positive perspective. Theres a big difference in someone who is overweight yet is positive vs someone who is overweight and complains and nags about their problem. If both people try to lose the weight, its gonna be the first person that sees the best results; not because they worked any harder, but because they were mentally more positive. Intrisically, no one will ever achieve their desired body image and just "stop" because they have achieved it; humans always desire more than what they already have, so the desire to achieve more will never stop. It is those with positive thoughts and images of their body and general wellbeing and life that will succeed in life.

Interesting. Thanks for your thoughts guys! I'm still struggling. I know I h ave come a long way. I went from a 10/12 to a 6. I know that is a huge thing, and I'm proud of that. I know I "look good for having 3 kids." That's not good enough. I just want to look good. Period. Oh well. I am still working on it though...

Another way to look at it is, if 60% of American adults are obese (>50 pounds overweight?), then you are a lot better than a lot of people. And if you are consistantly exercising and mostly eating good, then you deserve a lot of respect, in contrast to the rest who are not even trying.

Another thought: When you are feeling sorry for yourself, go visit a cancer center or a rehab hospital and realize how fortunate you are to have your health and all your parts still attached and working!