Hiding vs “fixing” body

[Anonymous]

Honest question, and I’m including myself as I’ve been trying to figure out my own occasionally ridiculous behaviors.

Any thoughts on why so many women spend so much time trying to hide their body “flaws” versus putting that time into addressing them through exercise and diet? For example: Swim dresses to “hide” thighs, shirts that conceal loose arms, etc.

[Anonymous]

Because diet and exercise are much more difficult than buying a new article of clothing.

[Anonymous]

Umm because no matter what your weight, you should dress to highlight your best features and minimize the flaws.

I mean do you want to see obese people in thong bikinis? What's wrong with them being in full coverage bathing suits so that they can enjoy watching their kids at the pool. Should they not be at the pool until they get thin?

[Anonymous]

Because it’s a lifelong battle, and who doesn’t feel sexier playing up their best assets, and concealing their trouble areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Umm because no matter what your weight, you should dress to highlight your best features and minimize the flaws.

I mean do you want to see obese people in thong bikinis? What's wrong with them being in full coverage bathing suits so that they can enjoy watching their kids at the pool. Should they not be at the pool until they get thin?

But why “should” you have to dress to highlight your best feature?

Is the issue a mix of confidence & body acceptance vs taking action & addressing what we see as our flaws?

[Anonymous]

Short term / long term solutions

[Anonymous]

Hiding = short-term solution

Fixing = lifelong struggle (for many, many people)

[Anonymous]

My body is as "fixed" as it's going to get at age 50 (dropped from size 12 to size 2 about a year ago) and I still don't look great in most clothing despite not being flabby. Why do you care what other people wear or what they choose to cover?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honest question, and I’m including myself as I’ve been trying to figure out my own occasionally ridiculous behaviors.

Any thoughts on why so many women spend so much time trying to hide their body “flaws” versus putting that time into addressing them through exercise and diet? For example: Swim dresses to “hide” thighs, shirts that conceal loose arms, etc.

Why do people order take out instead of cooking at home?

Why do people hire a housekeeper instead of doing it themselves?

Why do people dye their hair instead of having it natural?

Why do women shave instead of letting the natural hair grow?

Why do women wear make up instead of looking natural?

I mean.... so many questions, right?

[Anonymous]

Why? Because it's hard to exercise enough to meaningfully lose weight, and diets don't work.

I think body neutrality is the way to go, personally. I love my daily workouts, and generally eat a healthy diet because I like the way it makes me feel. But man, women (and some men) spend so.much.energy on trying to look a certain way when it really doesn't matter. That's a very different issue than the obesity epidemic, but I'd argue that could be improved by realistic exercise and diet habits, too.

[Anonymous]

Because they're insecure?

[Anonymous]

If you have data on a “fix” that works long term in a population of overweight people, let’s see it. If, while looking for that, you find out that there is no “fix” that is proven to work long term, you might learn why people have to hide things they don’t like despite having taken action to lose weight.

[Anonymous]

you presume that "addressing" one's body is entirely within their control, and it isn't necessarily. clothing is more likely to be within an individual's control, even across budgets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honest question, and I’m including myself as I’ve been trying to figure out my own occasionally ridiculous behaviors.

Any thoughts on why so many women spend so much time trying to hide their body “flaws” versus putting that time into addressing them through exercise and diet? For example: Swim dresses to “hide” thighs, shirts that conceal loose arms, etc.

I really like cake. And cocktails.

[Anonymous]

There is no fix for cellulite.
There is really no fix that can make 58 year old me look 30.
We all do our best, but there are limits