'I look so fat in this, I can't wear that, and I feel so hopeless about my body'. Those are the constant faults most women find every morning after analysing themselves infront of the mirror. Even if they are not struggling with their weight, adjusting to the way they look becomes an issue. As women, we find ourselves indulging in food to mend that broken heart or to overcome stress and usually starchy, surgary foods give us a calmer feeling. the scary thing is that the calm feeling is only temporary and when it wears off we are left with a body full of uhealthy food and empty calories. Eating healthy may seem like a full-time job but with the advancement of technology losing weight is made simpler. Exchanging diets nowadays has become so popular it puts exchanging cellphone numbers to shame.
It is interesting to see how many women have shared the miracles of green tea on their stomachs, but unfortunately, that is not my cup of tea. Like most women, I listen to my girlfriends and pay attention to those lifestyle shows that make me feel obese. I find myself dedicated to a routine that only deprives me of food and leaves me with a few more kilograms.
Diets are unhealthy and often do more harm than good, this I witnessed on the Oprah Winfrey show after Oprah's tearful revelation about her fight with a thyroid condition. The Queen of Talk expressed her desperation to lose weight and how it had caused a downfall in her life. I gained something very powerful on that episode, which is to aim to be healthy rather than thin.We are bombarded with thin models on our screens and even celebrities are seeking for methods to become thinner. We compare ourselves to those skinny celebrities not knowing what extreme measures they underwent. The truth is many thin women use drugs to control their weight, and others even go to the extent of liposuction. We should stop following trends that are set by the media's perception of what defines a woman.
As women we have to undertand that we come from different backgrounds and therefore inherit different genes. I am a Xhosa woman and I am blessed with hips and buttocks, whereas my friend Natasha, a Dutch descent is gifted in the breasts department. I have learnt to accept and embrace my body because men love confident women. If you are not content with your body you should start working on the areas you dislike. Include a healthy breakfast in your diet to get your metabolism going, get enough sleep to avoid unnecessary cravings and live a healthy lifestyle. Love yourself regardless of those lumps and stretch marks; exude your inner beauty and embrace your outward beauty.
By Andisiwe Mtengwane
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