Body Image or Self Image? Why Your Self-Concept Matters in Weight Lossby Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger 07 Sep 2006 04:50 PM I'd like to profess that my self-image and my body image exist separate from one another. I'd like to say that, although I'm heavier than I'd like to be, I'm a goddess on the inside. I'd like to say that even when my clothes don't fit, I still feel valuable. However, in the real world, that isn't always the case. When my favorite jeans are too tight, I cry. When it comes time for the swimming pool, I jump in like a crazy fool just so no one will "see" me. And I know I'm not alone. But what I've realized throughout the years is that it is possible to have a good self-image without having the body of a supermodel. A friend of mine, during her pregnancy, referred to her body and its extra girth as "disgusting." It saddened me deeply. Self-image, that is, how we view ourselves does not have to synonymous with body image, that is, how we view our bodies. I don't like my body at the moment. So I'm working on it. But now, after allowing myself to beat up my inner voices for a long time, I've come to like myself. Whether I've got an extra dimple (or two, or three) or whether my favorite t-shirt now appears to have been shrunk in the drier, I'm still me. I'm still smart, still funny, and yes, still pretty. When I allow my self-image to become affected by my body image, my entire demeanor changes. I'm moody, become introverted, and am more self-conscious. But when I allow my self-image to be free, the whole world opens up. How about you? Are you able to separate your self-image from your body image? If so, how do you do it? I'd love to hear your story. And remember: whether you weigh the same as you did in high school or whether you're struggling with any number of pounds, you are beautiful simply because you are you. Don't sell yourself short because your jeans don't fit anymore. Buy another pair and shake what you've got, baby! Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade  Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona. Relevantweight loss tags Food | Scrapbooking | weight loss | holidays | children | pregnancy | baby | Kids | christmas | Coupons User Comments cgeorge_esq (59) 07 Sep 2006 07:25 PMOy, vey, Catherine! THIS is real food for thought for me! I struggle with this ALL the time, and always have. The concept of my identity being separate from my body image is a still-unheard concept within my "inner tribunal". What I mean is, it's so hard to separate the two! I know I am intelligent, articulate and any number of adjectives---but accepting that I am beautiful regardless of my weight and size is STILL a huge obstacle to overcome. I am happy to be reminded that I, again, am not the only one who struggles with this!! I hope that, when I will be able to reconcile the two when I "grow up". In the meantime, I will do my best to try to remember it, and support all the other beautiful ladies out there to realize that their beauty is not defined by their size. Bless you for this reminder!! :)  Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 07 Sep 2006 08:49 PMThank you so much for your words. I'm so glad to have been able to write something people could relate to. There are so many things we don't talk about, for fear of letting our insecurities out. Letting out the truth liberates us and lets us know it's okay to not be perfect. It's okay to struggle. And having support helps us get through rough times and move forward, happier and healthier. Thank you again for such wonderful comments.  Lisa P (24013) 08 Sep 2006 06:25 AMGood blog! A pregnant woman is never disgusting! I gained 70 pounds with my pregnancy and that was after finally losing 90 with weight loss surgery. My body lost weight faster than my mind did with the surgery, but going back up after adjusting to the new me was a real issue. One thing I always kept in mind was that the pregnancy weight was just that - a pregnancy, a new life, a gift from God. Finally I realized the weight didn't matter, I was blessed to be the one to bring a new life into this world. Now that I'm wrestling with losing that weight, it still isn't the traumatic experience it used to be. It is still as difficult but the saggy skin and saddlebags are badges of honor now. I am a MOTHER and I'd give much more than that for my child. BTW we named him Theodore because it means "Gift from God".  Tristi Pinkston (10839) 08 Sep 2006 10:54 AMIt's so hard to remember that our bodies are not who we really are. We are beautiful women of tremendous worth, and our bodies are simply the vehicles that we use to get our work done and to bless others. I went clothes shopping last week and it was difficult to feel like anything looked good on me. I do better without full length mirrors. :0) Thanks for this reminder. Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 09 Sep 2006 01:20 PMLisa and Tristi, great comments. I admire your self-images. They're inspiring. Discuss this article
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