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Rose's avatar

Body image is such a difficult topic! I'm glad you're making progress in loving yours, it can be a long road.

Like Melissa, i've recently joined a gym where the classes a) don't have mirrors and b) are mostly in the dark, with tiny lights so only you can see yourself. It's been a great help, i don't feel like i'm being observed anymore!

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

That is super cool. now that I think about it, I have been to one "dark" room for a mat workout and maybe this was what they're onto!!

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Melissa's avatar

Was just thinking how crazy it is that we’re all told to basically make our body shape as pleasing to as many people as possible in a market economics sort of way like our body is a commodity product. It’s truly messed up and so hard to deprogram. I did recently join a dance studio that removed all the mirrors so people could experience being in their body without judgment and it was pretty amazing how powerful that change was.

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

Woah that's a really cool dance studio concept. I wonder if this is why people also like dancing in crowded clubs more - there's just less space, less vantage points to feel judged, more free feeling.

Still trying to deprogram it. It's a work in progress...

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Charlie Bleecker's avatar

LOL. This was great. I'm here for the post that doesn't know where it's going.

Two years ago I was in a car accident and suffered a concussion for nearly eight months. Then I had a stress fracture in my neck. Then I turned 40 and suddenly, for the first time, my knees hurt. My toddlers asked me to pick them up and I told them, no, I can't, I'm in too much pain.

I'm finally working with a trainer (today I squat 10 pounds more than my weight—take that, 40!) and I'm training to carry my kids up a hill. I'm not sure where I'm going with this either, except to say that strength is so much sexier than skinny... to me, now. I still want to feel good in my body. But I've realized I don't need to change my body or feel unsexy because of how I look. Usually I just have to change my clothes! Like, I just don't like to wear two-piece bathing suits! And I don't plan to ever again!

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

Sometimes these thoughts just need to be untangled!

Omigod YES LOOK AT YOU GO. I do also feel confident in my body. I also feel unconfident in my body. It keeps oscillating and I hope one day it'll just like shift towards the better spectrum of things.

But yes - clothes! They are an option!! And super comfy too

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Charlie Bleecker's avatar

I get it. The older I get, the more it does shift. Writing about it is a good start. I'm glad you shared!

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Bhav Sharma's avatar

Dude, you're an absolute beast - look at those weights / stats 💪

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

🙈🙈🙈 def hitting personal bests here

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Joshua's avatar

Just for you becky, I'll be a compliment fish!

OMG Girl, You're giving Greek statue, but, like... hotter and with better skincare.

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Becky Isjwara's avatar

HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAH thanks Josh

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Abdulkadir Dogan's avatar

April 2024, I was 100kg, fat hanging literally everywhere…

I was at rock bottom until I had one conversation that changed everything.

I started running, going to the gym, and 3 months later the scale said 83kg…

The first moment in years where I loved my body.

I was 18 at that point, now I am 20 and will run a marathon next year :)

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Vinamrata Singal's avatar

I feel this <3 I've been trying to lose weight and build muscle for a while now, and have made significant progress this year. While it made me happier, it didn't totally resolve my feelings about my body. A nice reminder that inside problems can't be solved by outside solutions; thanks for sharing your POV in this piece.

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Jeroen’s mandarin progress's avatar

The main point is: be happy and confident with yourself. ( remember that everyone is doubting themselves ) . Real beauty comes from within ( laughing with your eyes )

I think you have to be proud and happy with yourself and your body…. You look amazing !

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