This past week at Manchester Metropolitan University I attended a talk on the attitudes and perceptions towards the body. This talk really engaged me and want to tell you about the couple of hours that I spent listening to and interacting under the umbrella of body perception. I appreciate this is a sensitive issue and I loved how the lecturer kept the area neutral and allowed us to take our own view on the matters that where being talked about.
I find this subject area fascinating about how people feel about food and how problems are routed from and the linkages between factors.
What makes the perfect body? Iconic images of Marilyn Monroe saw her at a size 16. People today aspire to be like her and want that 'perfect body'. What makes people want to be like her but don't aspire to the size 16 curvaceous figure but more of a Barbie doll with a stick thin waist and big breasts. Does this reflect the perfect person and what people see Marilyn as?
Firstly the idea of dieting. This is a sensitive subject into all parties try to avoid in conversation. But what are peoples fascinations behind diets? The eagerness to find the 'ideal body'? Is there such a thing? Does it exist? The idea of dieting means your not happy with the way your body is, this is as such the meaning of hate. It's a way of telling your body that you hate it and want change.
Diet without the 'T' is 'die'...
This could be seen in both positive and negative lights. The positives being that you're wanting to kill the old you through the use of DIEting and starting a chapter meaning a new you. The negatives being the idea of leading to over controlling what you eat and leading to mental health problems in the future? Could this be you? You are in control of your own body and what goes into it. Many diets can do more harm than good which leads me onto the idea about the body being like a thermostat. Adjust it to much and you will break it. Just like the thermostat, your body needs looking after and going up and down down with your weight can cause harm and ruin your metabolize and reproductive systems. We all know about Beyonce and the maple syrup diet. She gained results fast but didn't do her internal systems any good. We are willing to put our insides at risk so that we look good on the outside.
One final note. I know I have asked a lot of questions throughout but it makes you sit and think about who we are and how we come about. The decisions we make and how we are influenced by people and imagery in the press about what makes the perfect person. It relates to the idea of porn, the more we watch and look at, the more of a preconceived idea we have of what is expected of us to perform. The press and social media is a wicked mistress as they have influence on people.
What matters most is that you love yourself and what makes you happy which leads to a happy life for everyone involved whether that be friends or family. Make your life your own and enjoy every single second of it.
What matters most is how you see yourself.
