Lately a number of women are telling me that they want Michelle Obama’s arms. What’s the craze over her arms I wonder to myself. I google a photo and look at them. They are a pair of arms like any others. What is wrong with our own body? Why do we strive to look like someone else or someone else’s ideal of what we should look like or be for that matter?
Body image is a sensitive subject for most women. Men are joining our ranks on this issue. Most women I work with have or continue to struggle with body image. Ask any women young or old, and she’ll find something dissatisfying with her body. The self-deprecating and disparaging comments I hear as a trainer do little to build confidence, self-respect and self esteem: My butt is too big, my arms are jiggly, my thighs are large, my stomach is a muffin top and more! The litany over the imperfections of the body is endless and relentless. What kind of relationship is this to have with oneself?
It pains me to hear women berate themselves over their appearance, their looks – their body. In most cases their body is healthy and has served them well for a number of years. At 52, I am grateful for all of the wonderful things that my body can do – drive a golf ball far- lift weights – take me on great hikes – give me and my significant other wonderful pleasure, the list goes on. No other woman’s arms or body will suffice but mine!
