Welcome to the second installment of The Demoiselles: Your ABCs! Every couple weeks, we’ll post a video, asking you to participate in ABC, aka A Body Challenge. These are the basics of introspection, designed to direct you to the source of your current body image, and shape it into a positive – whatever state it’s in.
For this video, we tackled a scary subject: the body parts we least like. (Even the most body-positive Demoiselle gets down on herself sometimes.) The real question isn’t what we dislike, though; it’s whether we can change it.
Now that you’ve heard from us, here’s your assignment:
- Think about the body part you agonize over. Is it something genetic, the result of your health habits, or something else?
- Can you change that part of your body? If so, why haven’t you?
- If you can’t change it (or if that change is a long process), how can you deal with that part of you positively? What beauty can you find in the thing that makes you most uncomfortable?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Respond in a comment, video (respond to us on YouTube!), email us directly, or use the contact page.
Looking for other ABC videos and podcasts? Find them here.
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I’m Polish and Irish and I have the fairest skin imaginable. It was so frustrating to have kids in school grab my wrist and ask me if I had a pulse due to pallor.
As far as changing it goes, I suppose I could use self tanner (I’d rather not be orange, thank you) or go in the tanning bed (I’d rather not have cancer, thank you) so I have to deal with the near vampiric skin tone and the fear of developing melanoma at some point in my time on this earth.
Acceptance is my only real course of action, but try loving your porcelain skin when your Mediterranean fiance sees the sun and turns a rich, glorious golden hue. Jealousy ensues. I’m working on it .
.-= Kait´s last blog ..random meme-fest. =-.
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Posted by Kait | September 25, 2009, 8:34 pmMy main thing would probably be the same as you guys’! I’m a 32G/sometimes F. You pretty much covered all of it – I hate that I have to watch the necklines on things I wear SO carefully because it’s so easy for things to look skanky on me, my back hurts sometimes (when I worked at a desk job it was TERRIBLE. I probably damaged my liver with all that Aleve!), nothing strapless or even haltered/one shouldered…you know the deal. And getting whistled at as a 15 year old is disturbing!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Taking a few days off =-.
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Posted by Michelle | September 26, 2009, 2:16 pmI have the same body part, but from the opposite perspective. I’m on the small side of a 32B, and I still have issues with my boobs. I find myself feeling like I am viewed as younger because of it, and it’s very….weird. As you pointed out, our society sexualizes women with large breasts. But it also desexualizes women with smaller breasts. I have a hard time even conceiving of myself as appearing sexy to anyone else.
Again, acceptance is really my only option. Gaining weight isn’t going to help, most likely (my mom is far heavier, and has the even harder road of trying to find a 42B bra–impossible, btw, to find) and surgery isn’t worth the risk to me.
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Happy Mabon! =-.
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Brienna Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Steph,
I also have the same issues. I am (depending on my cycle) between a 32B and 30C. They don’t even really MAKE 30 bands. Haha.
But I completely understand being viewed as younger. Also, I find myself having trouble fitting into clothing because of my smaller chest. Especially from stores that just crank out clothing, like Forever 21.
I also fear that my boyfriend doesn’t find me sexy. He does, in all actuality, but in my mind, I still think that he would be happier if I was a little bit bigger.
The only thing to do is just accept it and find the good things. For instance, I like that gravity hasn’t hit me yet!
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Posted by Steph | September 28, 2009, 12:42 amI am so *there* with you all on the boobs discussion. My 38DDD/E’s are inherited and I also used to wish for back problems serious enough to warrant surgery. I’d get the doctor telling me that “If I lost weight, they’d shrink down to a normal size” and I’d give him the side-eye and go home to sulk.
Other than that, I don’t think there is much I can do to change the situation. I am trying to eat healthier and lose some weight, but I’m not expecting my large chest size to shrink. I might go down a little bit, but I’ll always be a bit busty.
I’ve come to accept the fact that I was born with this and I’ll have to adjust. I can’t wear certain tops and I have to get other tops tailored to fit properly. I pay out of the wazoo for bras because like y’all said, those $10 bras aren’t going to cut it. And sometimes, I’ll even show a bit of cleavage.
.-= Sheena´s last blog ..New Designer/High Street Collaboration: Sonia Rykiel for H&M =-.
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Posted by Sheena | September 29, 2009, 12:17 pmI just wanted to thank you for sharing a great video entitled, “ABC’s…Double D’s
on your blog. As a body image/self esteem expert, I think that both you gals are fabulous role models for women who struggle with negative body images.
As a plus size gal myself, I realize how essential it is for women to be able to see other women appreciating and even lovin their bodies. It gives us permission to accept our own.
My challenge has always been around the size of my thighs. I hated them with a passion. Recently while cleaning a room in my home, I stumbled upon several
photos from years past ranging in ages 2 through my mid 40′s. I was shocked and appalled to notice that during the majority of those years, I had perfectly lovely
legs. .
It was only because I believed the rumblings of a fat phobic father that I grew to detest
my body so much. As a woman now committed to teaching other women the value of
non diet weight control and rockin’ the bodies we have, I’m deeply passionate about
sharing many of my insights and the value of my experience and expertise.
I would consider it an incredible honor to share in the body image discussion on your blog. If you ever
need a guest blogger, I’m here, ready willling and able to share.
Warmest regards,
Andrea
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Posted by Andrea Amador | December 28, 2009, 8:27 amOh, ladies. I can’t even watch the whole video without feeling compelled to comment. I HEAR YOU, I hear you, I hear you! I’m 5’3″, 34DDD-36G depending on where my weight is or what time of the month it is, and I’m about a size 8 on the bottom. Finding clothes that fit has been a big problem since I was about 13. I know all about the stretch marks and the horror of bra shopping as a young teen. I wish there had been videos like this (let alone the internet!) when I was younger. Thanks for doing this!
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Posted by Laura | January 21, 2012, 7:49 pm