I usually only post pictures and links, and that will continue to be true, but in having a blog like this every once in a while I think it’s important to talk about important things!  For example, body image.  This is a major issue in the world these days, especially for women.  The average American woman is 5’4 and 145 pounds.  The average American model is 5’11 and 115 pounds.  Any BMI below 18.5 could be considered to be in eating disorder range.  Most women don’t realize that the amount of skinny we see in the media isn’t healthy at all.  It seems that the body ideal for women has moved to what their bodies looked like before puberty.  Women are supposed to have fat on their bodies, that’s just the way we were built.  

Personally, I’m 5’7 and I weigh 140 pounds.  My BMI is 21.4 and, honestly, I have a lot of body issues, I always have.  About a year and a half ago I weighed 170.  I know I’m getting healthier, but it’s hard to be happy with your body when everything around you is saying that women are supposed to be super skinny to be beautiful.  

The problem is stemming from childhood.  The way people talk to little girls commonly consists of “Oh, I love your dress,” “You look so pretty,” etc.  Little girls are learning that it’s nice to be complimented for their looks.  Then you have parents like one I encountered the other day.  A little girl (8 years old) told her mom that she didn’t want to be fat so she didn’t eat the cookies at a Halloween event I worked at on Halloween.  Her mom agreed with her decision.  She did not correct her daughter and say that sweets were okay in moderation and were unhealthy, she agreed with her daughter on eating them so she would not get fat.  An 8 year old.

Anorexia and Bulimia are becoming huge problems.  Not only that, but 10% of anorexics die from the disease.  Girls all over are trying so hard to meet some “thin ideal” but that isn’t making them beautiful, it’s making them sick.  Anorexics aren’t happy people, they don’t love themselves (in general).  Bulimia ruins your teeth, hurts your esophagus, etc.  Not eating enough is just as bad as eating too much.  Both can ruin your health.  It’s important to be healthy, but not just physically.  Learning to love your body is so important.  Embracing the way you look and doing what you can for your health, mental, emotional, and physical is one of the most important things in life.  It’s hard, but it’s so important.

Clothes can be helpful for that.  :)  Wearing clothes that fit your body and show off the best parts of you can boost anyone’s self-esteem.  

Now, back to the heels…  :)  <3