Body shape and image

I find it very interesting how people's image of themselves body-wise often has absolutely no basis in numbers, but is all about how you look compared to how you think you ought to look.

I was really struck the other day on the hip measurement thread how some people said they carried all their weight in their thighs, but when they gave their measurements were only 21 or 22 inches, which is actually quite small. People have these fixed idea that they are apple or pair shaped, but it seems there is very little to it other than their own perception. Most of the people on here who call themselves pear shaped look entirely in proportion to me, and little different to myself, whereas I have always thought of myself as apple shaped as I have what I consider very narrow hips (34 inches).

Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting observation. Most people's body images and the feelings they have attached to that are in the vast majority of cases purely in their own heads. Other people don't see you that way!