Body Confidence...the most DARING thing you've done?

carolssalva

I wonder what else folks have tried or done when feeling confident about their body image. A few years back I starved myself and got super thin and walked across a stage in a bikini. That was daring. I was happy after months of work and starvation. Only to be miserable the next week when all the weight started coming back in a matter of moments. And I've been working on it ever since! Trying to find a way to maintain my weight, not starve, and just get comfortable with my curves and this cellulite that seems here to stay.

So what have YOU done in the name of body confidence?? or just in a moment of being a bit daring? Did you learn anything? (Please keep it clean..hahah)

Hmrjmr1

Not really sure this counts but my first job in the Army was jumpin out of moving airplanes at night, killing people and breaking things till my sergeant told me to stop. (was just training never did a combat jump). Although one that actually required a bit of courage, was the first time I sang karaoke, I was at FOB Loyalty in Iraq in front of 100 or so soldiers knees were shaking way harder than any drop I had been on. We had refurbished the theater on the base and my boss assigned it to me, also assigned my karaoke night as host with the mandate that I had to sing at least one song. Did "House of the Rising Sun" a monster was let out of the bag that night.

heronh

Body confidence - Walking around the house naked.

markd_cronenwett

Body confidence? I am not sure I have ever had a even a moment like that Carol. Heck, I cover up when I go swimming..

Carol, you found a goal and realized it, even if it was an incorrect path (as you found out). Intentionally starving takes a lot of power. You just need to channel it differently

montana_girl

I still don't have much body confidence... when you lose over 100 pounds, there is a lot of extra skin. Blech!

But, I have found that I enjoy wearing clothes that actually fit. When I was at my heaviest (even for quite a while during the weight loss process), I wore baggy, non-descript clothes so no one could tell how big I was. Now, I love wearing fitted t-shirts and hip hugging shorts and capris. When I wear the right clothes, I can actually see how much weight I've lost.

easmythcrna

Going to the pool without a shirt. I haven't done that since high school.

carolssalva

Well, awesome. We are working on it. Heron - more power to you girl!! I bet your pets have some great stories. LOL just kidding. You know what a friend told me once… confidence is the most attractive thing you can have. This friend was very overweight but she had a way about her. She was FULL of confidence. We would go to the bar and maybe not initially, but eventually there would always be guys around her laughing and flirting. She had just a wonderful way of drawing people in and her confidence was part of that.
She is totally right, I think. The confidence we feel can be projected and it will highlight our strengths. We are our own worse critics. We know that. So maybe we can try to be a bit more daring and let go of some of the insecurities. Baby steps, maybe but still, it would be worth trying.
I am just going to continue to positive-self talk. To date, all I can see is big thighs when I look in the mirror but I'm working on that. Getting better. (and thanks Mark, I shall channel efforts on this body-confidence thing)
Love all the honesty. You guys are all rock stars to me and you should all be SUPER CONFIDENT.
Now sing us a song Hmrjmr!!

markd_cronenwett

I just find it funny Carol. I can be pretty positive, and I can laugh about a lot. What you are asking though I just never really thought about. Thinking back to when I was pretty fit, doing triathlons, surfing, etc.. I was not too bad I guess. I still covered up, without thinking about it. Probably more to do with a VERY modest upbringing, almost Puritan in a way. My wife is the complete opposite, and she.. ah... and my parents don't exactly get along.. 28 years and 2 kids later (we met as teenagers).

Maybe I can find some courage, and a bit of wild, and go outside without my shirt.. while my family is in town... or something like that. LOL!!!

heronh

Mark, I'm the same way with modesty! I don't like wearing anything sleeveless and most of my dresses and skirts are knee length with the exception of a few of them being *GASP* 3 inches above my knee!! LOL My boyfriend teases me in a cute way that I have"old lady taste" I was raised in a ultra traditional home but I have no problem with dressing what I consider "sexy"
I think that way too many young women dress like a hooker, its very sad i don't think they understand the difference between sexy and cheap and they base their self worth on how many skin they show.. Sigh. Raising girls must be hard in this day and age
Carol, I agree with the confidence thing. For me it comes and goes depending on the day. But when I get myself all prettied up for a night out and slip on those banging heels I feel confident. I would walk into the place and own it! Heels have that effect on me especially knee high boots LOL
Mark, Montana- I think body confidence can mean different things. It could also mean strength and or speed. Mark, maybe now that you've lost some weight you have more confidence in doing something that you thought you couldn't do.
In your case the shirt issue like you say is more of a modesty issue so I wouldn't count it as a body confidence issue. Heck when I was at my prime at 135lb, I was wearing a one piece swimsuit and shorts when I go to the beach. Even if I had that body now I MIGHT wear a bikini but I would probably wear a sarong or a cover up
Montana - I would say for your body confidence and daring thing, it could be the tough mudder! You have confidence in your body that you can do it and you did it! That's confidence and daring to me
Carol - I read somewhere that for women with body image issue that they should look in the mirror everyday and say one body part that they like. The idea/hope is that one would add a new part after a certain amount of time and before they know it, they would learn to like their whole body:happy:

carolssalva

What a wonderful thing to try Heron. I have plenty of parts I like. Why I keep focusing on the ones I dont... that is just silly, i know. It is funny, but now that you mention it, I am NEVER more confident as when I finish a tough mudder. I feel like I can do anything and that spills over into everything I feel about myself.

Mark - I hear you. I was brought up like that also.

montana_girl

Montana - I would say for your body confidence and daring thing, it could be the tough mudder! You have confidence in your body that you can do it and you did it! That's confidence and daring to me

Heronh - Thanks for that comment! So similar to what I said in the WW meeting yesterday. Because of my running, I have the confidence to try new activities, first the Tough Mudder and now the Endurance Run. I do have the confidence in my body to do those things. And I have enough confidence to not care how I look in my running gear! LOL

angelaneale

I wouldn't be modest at all, if I could get away with it. My body confidence time was the one time I ran a 5k w/my sports bra (and shorts and shoes) on. I really would love to be able to workout in just my sports bra (and shorts/shoes) all the time. I think one of the reasons I keep my layers of fat is to keep myself covered. Ha ha! I hate sweating with lots of clothes on so to me the least amount I can get away with, the better.

imabizzybee

Daring? Body confidence? Not me! I even ran the Mudder in long sleeves and shorts over my leggings! What's up with that?! I won't wear sleeveless to teach, so the students don't see the flags flying under my arms. Revealing is not in my wardrobe. I'm committed to changing both my self-perception and my body fat %, so we'll see what happens in the next month or two.