Physical Appearance

Check out these articles and their health Tips on the importance of Physical Appearance.
https://myblackfitness.com/nutrition
Eating Disorders in the Black Community Are More Common Than You Think
Binge Eating Disorders Among Black Women Are Going Undiagnosed

Eating Disorders in African Americans

5 Women Who Passed Away From Butt Injections

Believe it or not, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery is more popular now more than ever. Even during a pandemic, the BBL procedure is getting done at an alarming rate–and it’s raising concerns for a lot of people. Read More

What does it mean to have a positive body image?

Positive body image means clearly and accurately perceiving your body and feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. You appreciate your body for what it can do and feel satisfied with your appearance.

Characteristics of a positive body image include:

  • confidence in your appearance
  • appreciation for your body functionality
  • acceptance of natural body changes (e.g. aging, changing weight)
  • resilience against unrealistic beauty standards

What does it mean to have a negative body image?

Negative body image involves a distorted perception of your body and feeling dissatisfied or ashamed of your appearance. It can lead to constant self-criticism and comparison with others.

Characteristics of a negative body image include:

  • frequent body checking
  • constant comparison with others
  • constant validation-seeking
  • feeling shame or anxiety about your appearance
  • avoiding social situations due to body dissatisfaction
  • going to extreme lengths to change your appearance

Having a negative body image doesn’t make you a superficial or bad person. But it can take its toll on your mental health.

If your body image is negatively impacting your well-being, consider reaching out to a therapist or joining a support group, such as through the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) or Sister Circle by Therapy for Black Girls.

Neutral body image, or body neutrality, focuses on what your body can do rather than how it looks. It emphasizes focusing on your body’s abilities and nonphysical characteristics over your appearance.

If you have a negative body image, body neutrality might be easier to attain than a positive body image.

Characteristics of body neutrality:

  • viewing the body as a tool for living rather than an object to be judged
  • focusing on caring for your health and well-being
  • reducing the emphasis on physical appearance
  • appreciating your body even if you don’t feel attractive
  • accepting your body even if you struggle to “love” it
What factors can influence your body image?

According to researchTrusted Source, several factors can shape and influence your body image.

Media

Exposure to idealized body standards in media and social media can lead to unrealistic expectations and body dissatisfaction.

However, the media can also promote body neutrality or body positivity. For example, body-positive social media content has the potential to improve body image.

Cultural and societal standards

Cultural norms and societal pressures can dictate what is considered attractive, influencing body image.

Family and peer influences

Family attitudes and peer comments about appearance can affect how you perceive your body.

Research shows that family-based weight stigma can contributeTrusted Source to negative body image and less favorable mental health. For example, your family frequently criticizing or teasing you because of your body weight.

Experiences such as bullying and abuse can shape body image. A 2012 studyTrusted Source linked childhood trauma and sexual abuse to negative body image.

Mental health

Certain mental health conditions are closely linked to body image issues.

These conditions include:

Getting mental health treatment may help improve your body image.

Identity

While anybody can experience negative body image, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to develop difficulties with body image and disordered eating, according to the NEDA.

NEDA also notes that gender is also a factor. Women are more likely to experience negative body image than men.

5 200-Pound Women Who Are NOT Overweight!

When it comes to men’s and women’s weight, there are certain myths that we tend to perpetuate.

Like, men who are over 200 pounds need to look like this or that to be fit and a woman must be under 200 pounds and/or tall or she’s fat — plain and simple, right? Well, wrong!

There are a growing number of women who are proving that your scale doesn’t determine if your healthy or not.

Take a look at these beautiful women who are taking social media by storm and proving that healthy comes in all sizes–even the over-200 size.

 

(Photo credit: @Undendingbattle Instagram)

Name: Candice Williams
Instagram: @UnendingBattle
Weight: 207 pounds

Candice says: “This just goes to show you at my smallest I still had the skin I had had no surgeries to remove the skin but I appeared and felt so much bigger then I do at a heavier weight.

What I like to get back to 200 yes just because I felt pretty comfortable at that weight but anything below that has been extremely hard for me to maintain. But that is my body.

That is my story. Some people may think 200 is still extremely big or overweight Lord knows the world and my doctors charts do haha but I am so much healthier today than even a year ago and I will continue to try to be even more healthier as I keep growing in maturity and age haha😜😘💓 I love you guys!”

 

(Photo credit: @Undendingbattle Instagram)

 

(Photo credit: @Undendingbattle Instagram)

 

 

(photo credit:  Renee Miller Instagram)

Renee Miller
228 pounds
Instagram:@mizz_200plus

 

(photo credit: Renee Miller Instagram)

 

(photo credit: Renee Miller Instagram)

Renee says: “Coming from size 24 was no easy task..but i got it done..many will discourage you….family may not want no part of your healthy eating habits..friends may not understand why you can’t eat out like you used to..Spouse may discourage you by telling you he’s not attracted to small women don’t lose weight..You may go at this fitlife alone…I did…..but When I walk this staircase…..Knowit’s all me….the Pain..the struggle..to beat the odds.I did this for me..and ain’t no stopping me now….My lifestyle 24/7 while Thick….Amen….”

 

(photo credit: Anowa Adjah Instagram)

Anowa Adjah
206 pounds
Instagram: @anowaadjah

 

(photo credit: Anowa Adjah Instagram)

 

(photo credit: Anowa Adjah Instagram)

Anowa says: “You can’t cheat hard work! I’m sure some of you would not believe 3 months ago I had my umbilical hernia repaired.

My stomach was swollen and looked about 5 months pregnant.

I could not train for 2 months and was left with 4 small incisions on the left side of my abdomen. I could barely stand up straight for a week but I pushed through. I’m so glad I did it.

Many of you could see my hernia in my pictures because it was the size of a small baseball.

Twin pregnancy left me with a hernia. I carried my sons until 39 weeks until my scheduled c-section.

My advice to you is don’t play with your health! Due to my heavy lifting, my hernia could have ruptured at any moment. There were times that I was bent over in pain from my hernia.

If it’s giving you problems please get it fixed. I waited until my twins were 4 because I could go without picking them up for more than several weeks. I hope this helps someone out there.”

 

(photo credit: Meitai Instagram)

Meitai (Babs Escobar)
206 pounds
Instagram: @meitai

 

(photo credit: Meitai Instagram)

 

List continues below…

 

(photo credit: Meitai Instagram)

 

 

(photo credit: Meitai Instagram)

 

Meitai says: “More cardio isn’t always the answer. Cutting carbs and shit isn’t always the answer.

Being metabolically healthy is the damn answer! If you’re body is already in a stressed state, the shit only makes it worse.

I can’t wait to start getting some of this weight off me. I ain’t making no excuses, but I have so much shit going on in my life.

Phd program, depression, grief hits me in spurts… But I still find strength to push.

That’s my motivation! I’ve always battled with my weight, but this damn battle is mine!

Hey, I’m human. The good thing is I know what to do. So soon and very soon, I’ll be starting.

I know one damn thing though… Once I get it off this time, I ain’t damn going back! I always try to beat myself. So I’m always thinking…#BIGGER #BETTER & #STRONGER.”

 

Aisha
230 pounds
TikTok: aiomiiii

Aisha, who goes by @aiomiiii on TikTok is a gorgeous Nigerian girl who describes herself as “Your Tall Big Sister” in her profile. While her height my be immediately apparent, you wouldn’t know that she’s over 230 pounds.

“I weigh 240 pounds, but nobody would guess because I’m tall,” Aisha shared in a video caption. “This is for tall women, but also all women, to never be ashamed and embarrassed by the scale.”

She went on to share something that we all should take heed of, “Weight looks different on everybody. Embrace it.”

Menu