NEED HONEST FEEDBACK ABOUT MY CURRENT PIC

MadWorld

Wow. :noway: Hootchie Momma? Not even close.

I could go off on a rant... but, I'll spare everyone (I claim no religion, this being only one of the reasons).

But, no... you look happy and like you are just showing your cool personality... that's a good thing.

Phoenix_Rising

I'm with everyone else.... nothing wrong with your picture in the least! If you were showing skin, I might raise an eyebrow, but you ARE dressed conservatively, and the pose (in my opinion) looks as though it's all in fun, not meant to be provocative (given by the laughing smile on your face instead of a come-hither look).

Not sure what was bothering her that pushed her to make the comment, but don't let it worry you. Something else was getting to her, and she lashed out with this, needing to push her negativity on someone else.

I think we all agree.... It's a fun picture, nothing in the least "unChristian". Also to be noted -- Christians have fun too!!! The pose is nothing "unChrist like" imo. The clothing or lack thereof could change that statement but you are in the clear, my dear!

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

strongandfit

1st of all, let me state that I am not a Christian. I do believe in God. Spiritual and yes, I will wish lots of you Merry Christmas very shortly though.

________________________

But, I think that is besides the point. I think the issue here is manyfold.

1. Morality: Is a pose like that suggestive of immorality whether one is a Christian or not?

Tthis is subjective, I believe that everyone are going to have their opinions. Ultimately, it is what YOU think that is the most important. Personally, I think the pose is one of proud accomplishment - look at me world type of pose. It's like the Michelle Obama wearing shorts on vacation debate again.

2. Is what you are wearing too provocative?

You are proud of your renew love of your body, your physique, your weight loss efforts

3. Is your pose too provocative?

You are saying that you feel alive again, loving your body, yes - sexy again (there is nothing wrong with that - Christian or not - I think this is what you are struggling with), strong again, proud, fit, alive, energetic, looking forward to life, full of energy, ready to give, not just stay at home, ultimately you are ready to live - look at me world I'm still here and I'm loving life!!!! I ask you what is wrong with this pose? Nothing.

3. Is what that daughter said is appropriate?

She has a right to her opinion - you don't have to agree with her - it should not affect your view of your
self. People will have opinions of you - good, bad, neutral. It is not what they say that is important. It is your interpretation of events. Ultimately, you are the translator of what they say.

4. What about the label of hoochie mama?

Once again, it's how you interpret it that counts not how she interprets it.

5. Should you change your avatar picture? Should you feel anything different about your avatar picture?

Not on your life!! Red is a very special colour. To me, colour red means many things. Among them, courage. I do not wear red myself. It has too much energy I feel for me anyways. I feel too self-conscious to wear it. I feel like everyone are looking at me. I only wear it very occasionally. It is not the easiest colour to wear I feel. I feel that those who do wear the colour red, and I mean very very solid red is making a statement. "Look at me, I'm brave, I'm here, and I'm proud of it and so can you. "

And that to me, is what your pose and your clothing says to me. Plus, your smile beaming from ear to ear. You lost 30 lbs! That is a major accomplishment. Even 3 lbs, 5 lbs, 10 lbs for any of us here on MFP is a major success. You are proud of your success and you expressed that pride and wanted to share, inspire, motivate the rest of us. Good for you.

So, in closing:

Isn't that what ultimately you want as practising your religion of Christianity to do? To be your best self. To have belief, to have faith that you can do it, to love life the best you can and in return, inspire those around you of the lessons you learned to your best self so that they too can love themselves, love life too? Along the way, there will be those who have not learned life lessons yet whether because of their age, life experiences to say the proper thing or to understand and express that which you wish to hear. It's ok, it really is. It is not their fault, they are only learning. I know the words hurt you. I hope you will heal because it is hitting you to your core of trying to reconcile that you've evolved with your new body, your expressing joy of it and your being questioned on your faith. What does your inner voice tell you? I'm sure that if you sit quietly, away from all the noise, and just take a slow breath, relax, you will know that you did nothing wrong. Forgive. Forgive yourself for feeling you did wrong. You did nothing wrong. Enjoy your picture.

And if one day, you would like to share with us yourself in a bathing suit or t-shirt and shorts in your pics, we would all applaud and be proud of you, and grateful for you to inspire us somemore. . It would mean that you are good in sharing your success with us. You are showing kindness to all - Christians and non-Christians alike.

Enjoy. Thanks for putting your thread in bold caps. It caught my attention.

p.s., in the future, if anyone else say unkind comments to you about that pic, it's their opinion, let them express it. It's really ok. Remember: your interpretation of events is the most important. Do not take the bait to over-defend yourself. There's no need. Just go on with your day and focus on your pride of the pic.

mommared53

Thank you so much. I just want to clarify one thing though. It's not my daughter that has an issue with my pic, it's my neice. Again, I want to say thank you to everyone. I really appreciate all the feedback. :flowerforyou:

BrendaLee

That's ridiculous. You're covered (literally) from head to toe, and the pose is cute. People are weird.

mommared53

Thanks Brenda.

I want to clarify one other thing. I think some posters misunderstood the Christian issue concerning my neice. Just for the record, she's not a Christian, but I am. Again, thanks everyone. :flowerforyou:

strongandfit

You're very welcome. We are all in this together. Not just the physical losing weight part but the psychological experience as well. Tks for asking for help. Great to see everyone's responses to you and being so supportive and can actually see your day improving. MFP is the best!

p.s, forgive your niece. Ultimately, she did not do it to harm you.

mommared53

Forgiven. I know God is in control and probably working in her life. I'll continue to pray for her as well as the rest of my family.

strongandfit

Forgiven. I know God is in control and probably working in her life. I'll continue to pray for her as well as the rest of my family.

:flowerforyou: Glad u got thru a tough day Betty. Enjoy ur tomorrow.

rheign

You're a Christian, not a nun. LOL. I think it looks FABULOUS!

MandiW

There is nothing wrong with it at all! You are beautiful! Women are beautiful! All I can say to the girl that made the rude comment about you is "Live a little". Seriously!

Happyoceangirl

You look beautiful Momma, and I mean that in a Christian, non-hootchie sense. You're a shining star. Silly neice. :ohwell:

arewethereyet

So this is the thing. Yesterday a family member had mentioined that her daughter made a comment about my pic. She had seen the pic and commented that I claim to be a Christian and I post a pic like that (my current avatar). Apparently she considers that pose a "hootchie mama" pose and a Christian would not pose like that. The more I thought about it the more my feelings were hurt and the more it made me mad! I honestly never thought anything was wrong with that pose. I'm dressed very conservatively and the pic was taken by my conservative, Christian, adult son. The pose was all in fun and because I had lost 30 pounds. I really don't see anything "hootchie mama" about it.

I'd like others' opinions of my pic, espcially those of you who are not Christians. If you saw that pic say on Facebook and knew that I'm a Christian, what would you think of it?

Honey.............as soon as I SAW that picture I knew you were a conservative Christian.

God wants us to take care of our temple. He wants us to feel good and you are a shining example to the rest of the world.

Remember 'he' is always lurking with jealousy and pettiness..........do not let it ruin you day.

You have done a wonderful job of getting healthier!!

mommared53

Thank you ladies so much. You really made me feel so much better. God bless you all. :flowerforyou:

Phoenix_Rising

You're a Christian, not a nun. LOL. I think it looks FABULOUS!

LOL :laugh:

LuckyLeprechaun

Your picture is totally modest and has absolutely nothing in it that anyone could legitimately cast judgment upon.

That said, you know who invented nakedness? GOD!!!:huh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Same guy who invented sex. and laughter. and BOOBS.

I'm just kidding (sort of):ohwell:

I think the main message we all have here is don't let someone bring you down. Other people's judgment is their problem. You are in charge of you, and therefore you are the only person who you should feel a need to please.