Summer's Coming and Body Image.

[Paul]

Summer is on its way. That usually means beach or swimming, wearing cooler and perhaps more revealing clothing (than slippers and trakkie daks).

Body image is the way we see ourselves and the thoughts/feelings that go along with it. 

How do you feel about your body?

What's the part you like the most?

What's the part you dislike the most?

How does body image impact on your emotional health?

Paul

[Paul]

I thought I'd start the ball rolling and be the first to answer my questions;

I'm OK with my body. It could do with some work, but for someone who doesn't go the gym and LOVES carbohydrates, I could use some work for my health.

I like my bum the most. I think that without any work it's not too bad, I'll just keep hoping gravity remains kind.

I dislike my stomach the most. It's the first to store fat and sometimes looks disproportionate.

Getting older and my hair greying - I'm not a fan of this happening

My body image doesn't tend to have an impact on my mental health, however it has led me to question "What's wrong with me, don't I look good enough?" after being rejected physically. The rejection does impact me negatively.

Paul

[justinok]

I think all the men reading this will know how much of an issue this is, gay men are very body-focused. I'll be interested to see what it's like for women, and for transpeople too there must be whole other levels of body image dissatisfaction.

I'm in a pretty good space with myself at the moment, but that has not always been the case. Too skinny, then too pudgy, not muscly enough, feeling judged... doesn't help when you use dating apps either, because it feels like a total meat market.

What finally worked for me? When i started exercising for fucntional health, as in I started playing sport (another whole story there) and my fitness goals were based around getting fit to be able to play my role well and get more out of playing, and then my body improved from there.  Whenever I've tried to "improve" (inverted commas intentional) my body for just cosmetic reasons, it's never worked.  I can't keep up motivation, and I end up just focusing on the negative, or perceived negative.

[Paul]

Gay men and body focus and online apps - that's a recipe for a meltdown right there!

[Gruffudd]

Here is a challenge...

How do you feel about your body? 

To be honest, what is in my head doesn't match the reality, so I'd say, ambivalent. It is a bit of a love/hate relationship. Identifying as genderqueer helps me put all that in perspective and say, I am what I am.

What's the part you like the most?

Arms.  

What's the part you dislike the most?

I don't like being bald, not at all. 

How does body image impact on your emotional health?

It has an effect on confidence, I don't like not waring a hat and feeling exposed. In the perfect world I would achieve something androgynous like when I was a teenager. The way it is at the moment people relate to me as if I am a straight man, and that can make me feel like I don't exist. On the other hand, when I wear something queer, paint my nails, it makes me feel part of something bigger and like I belong.

As for the beach, I am a strong enough swimmer, last time I went into the ocean wearing jeans and a shirt, it was lovely. 

[Paul]

Ahh Gruffudd you make me smile.

I reckon everyone will have something about their body that they aren't completely comfortable with. Jeans and T-Shirts for everyone!

Or we could make a pact that everyone is in a similar situation, so let's celebrate that we all have something about our bodies we want to change. Swimwear for everyone!

Paul