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Sunday, May 6, 2012
Penny Wise Pound Foolish
Clichés are a big no-no when it comes to writing, but how about turning one on its head. Take the title for instance. Easy to understand the meaning, but what if only half of it was about cash? The Darryl Roberts’ documentary America the Beautiful (a little slow, a little broad of a brush, but still powerful) talks about saving money on fabric and therefore models need to be thinner. The wise penny = lives on the edge of starvation.
Which consequently sets the standard for beauty. For everyone in electronic reach.
So here I am at 50 years old and wondering why I suddenly find myself struggling with body image issues. I thought I had done away with the media standard and forged ahead believing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Either I have developed a new neurosis or I’m finally up to really looking in the mirror – and not liking what I see.
Maybe it’s these damn peri, kinda, sorta, are we there yet-menopause hormones. Nah. While I would love to blame all the ills of my day on those fluctuating monsters, I can only go there for half. Okay maybe two thirds.
Whether this crap is new or old, it’s here and needs to be dealt with. Oh joy.
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6 comments:
I have been going through something similar recently Sarah. I've just come to the conclusion, after years of being happy to be carrying around a few (HA! make that 30) extra pounds, that I have to do something to lose some weight. It's not because advertising tells me I'll be 'happier', it's because my body is telling me I'll be healthier and I'll feel better. The fact is I could get away with it when I was younger but as I passed the midway line on my way to being 50 my body has started to complain. I think we just need fewer calories as we get older - which is a bummer because I like my food a lot. But for the first time in my life my blood pressure has started to go up and my knees are complaining that they weren't built for what they were carrying. My hormones are making my thinking fuzzy - which I hate - and I know that that particular problem is just going to get worse. I've recognised that I'm changing and I think that as our bodies get older they let us know that as they change, we need to too. I have no desire to be skinny. I've been skinny and I didn't like it much. But I do want to have energy and for me that's going to involve a lot more discipline in my eating habits. Which sucks because I don't have any.
I don't recognise the woman in the mirror sometimes. Everything droops. It's hard coming to terms with getting older but for me I've decided that the best way to do it is in the fittest body I can manage. I'm hoping that a healthy body will help keep my mind healthy too.
Ugh, Sarah. I don't know who doesn't, at some point, struggle with this.
There are entire industries devoted to making sure we struggle with this.
But you have such a firm commitment to health--to what you will and won't consume, that I think if you see it that way, you will get to a place of acceptance. Your body wants to be healthy, not to be judged. Be good to it, and I think the mind will follow.
Be fierce about your health. And gentle with yourself.
Hugs.
Embrace the desire to be more fit or attractive or healthy or whatever the word is you want to use. I recently stepped up my exercise regimen a lot, cut down my portions, started focusing a lot on healthier foods. I feel terrific, and I don't think it's because I match some media-driven body image.
I wish for you the same feeling of accomplishment. It can really be satisfying to watch the (very slow but steady and inevitable) progress. Plus, it can be a lot of fun if you take time to focus on yourself and your health. We each deserve that time every day. There was a point I was working like crazy, and one day I decided I needed to let a deadline slip and focus on my own health for once. The world didn't end, and I felt better for it. I've been scheduling around that ever since.
Yesterday we went to Costco, and that was really hard because I had just exercised but hadn't eaten lunch yet. I wanted to buy out the pastry aisle and collect one of every candy they offer. It occurred to me that being healthy in the US is an exercise in constant self-denial. We have so much crap to buy and consume all around us, so easy and cheap and available, that "being good" is very hard. But that makes it all the more an accomplishment to be proud of, yeh?
I keep thinking I accept myself then I notice something in the mirror and have to come to terms with myself all over again!
This time it was the saggy, crepey tops to my arms. Losing or gaining weight won't help, nor will exercise. My skin just doesn't stretch like a younger person's does.
I'll just cover up a bit more and tell myself that in ten years time I'll look back and wonder what the fuss was about! I hope I believe me.
Hoping you feel better about your body issues soon.
Thanks everyone. I keep thinking the same thing FHH - that I accept myself. But these things tend to come up from time to time. It was a bit worse than the run of the mill this past time.
And yes, I would like to be in better shape. I do try to exercise some. I do eat right 90% of the time. I'm past the fear point of 47 - when my father had his triple bypass. That helps.
What I find is when I get in these placs, something else in my life blows up and demands my attention. This time it was the dogs. They are not getting along even though they started out okay. I'm determined to keep the new one even if it means having a writing studio built in the backyard (with a dog door).
Whatever it takes to make me pursue my dream.
:-)
i got some 40+ pounds to lose; luckily, being ill for the past month +, i may have lost 5 already
dealing with last remnants of food poisoning, new/old prob crops up: recurring pain from crushed vertebra suffered in my 20s... xrays show area has now both arthritis and osteoporosis... like i needed extra pain just now
i'm back - new look, same old crap
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