Foreword: My close friends will tell you that towards the end of college I lost a drastic amount of weight ridiculously quickly. I risked my psychological and physical health to look slim and I was ill for a long time. Even today, it’s difficult to eat and drink normally without getting anxious. I’ve been promising a blog about female beauty for a long time. Thanks for those who agreed to take part in the questionnaires that I sent out. Due to the large amount of responses, I haven’t managed to include all of your answers. I’d like to leave an uplifting and encouraging message, based not only on my past experiences and my opinion, but the opinions of REAL people; Real girls and real guys. And they’d all like to share with you the same encouraging message! Check out the website at the end of this post for a great cause and ways to participate in spreading the love ;]
Claws away girls: Women want to please other women.
I’ve never been without a boyfriend and most of them have been of a slim and/or athletic build. Being heavier than some of my boyfriends has been an insecurity of mine. But most women will agree that women are their own worst enemies. As Sefton said: “women want to feel confident around other women, not self conscious or inferior”, and Stiina agreed, claiming that women worry about their appearance “For the sake of “competition” between girls and for men, seldom for themselves”. Although every girl I spoke to claims that they’re attracted to men with nice eyes and a nice smile, girls are guilty of calling each other fat, or gossiping about how another female looks. So next time you open your mouth to comment on another girl’s appearance, take the time to think about how negative comments about how YOU look, make you feel. A number of the guys I spoke to, including Braden, stated that women often disregard the compliments their boyfriends/girlfriends give them. However all of the women I spoke to claimed that their significant other helps them feel better about themselves, more confident, sexier and happier. So keep those compliments coming ladies and gents! They mean more to us than we let on!
The ideal ‘look’
Everyone, girls and guys, pointed out the same institutions that influence the negative way in which women perceive themselves. We’re constantly watching programmes and reading magazines about how to lose weight, how to be pretty and how to be sexy. Wander past any magazine rack in the shops and you’ll see the ‘ideal woman’. Every female I’ve spoken to claims that their stomach and their hips are areas they feel very insecure about, with thighs and breast size coming a close second. Well, contrary to popular belief, many men find OTHER features other than the shape of your body, extremely attractive. Adrian said that “Eyes, hair, neck and smile” are the first things he looks for in a female, with Andy also stated that nice eyes and a nice smile are important. Braden stated that “I usually notice the true inner beauty once getting to know someone” and said that being “faithful, open minded and honest” were things he favoured as opposed to the size of a woman’s waist.
Operation Beautiful
Operation Beautiful is an organisation set up to try and change the way we see beauty in a light hearted, upbeat way.
Do your part. Whether you forward the link on to a friend or post this blog up on facebook. Write an anonymous note to leave in public! It can be anywhere; university, college, the car park, the supermarket, a telephone box, a changing room! Give someone a compliment. It's in your hands.
Be happy.
Be healthy.
Be beautiful.
