Looking Back: You Look Better Than You Think!

It's vintage post week and this one's from my Fit In Real Life blog. It originally ran on July 25, 2008. See you on Monday!

It's Friday, and I've got great news: You look much better than you think you do!

Now, I know what you're thinking: It's the end of the week, I'm exhausted and I just want to collapse on my couch. But please, hear me out.

Yesterday, I came across a story from the U.K. Daily Mail about a new book, The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula For Looking and Feeling Beautiful, by two doctors. Ever intrigued, I read about the authors' "prescription," fully expecting to hear a lot of same-old, same-old advice. Truthfully, there was a lot of same-old, same-old advice about good nutrition, good sleep habits, exercise, hair, make-up, etc. But I also found myself nodding in agreement with a lot of what the story said, especially this, "Your physical attributes are only part of what makes you attractive."

We've all seen her -- a woman who, by all standard measures of what's culturally considered beautiful, shouldn't really captivate us, but does so anyway. There's an elusive quality about her, and it's one that can't be measured by a scale, a clothing size or even a mirror.

It's called personality.

According to the authors of this new book, research shows that other people see you as 20 percent more attractive than you think you are. Why? Because you're looking only at your physical self (and probably picking apart your "flaws," too). They're seeing the whole package -- your warmth, your great laugh, your caring nature, etc. It's an entirely different perspective.

Perspective is a huge part of body image. Case in point: At 15, I can remember complaining to my mother about my "huge" thighs. "Look at them," I told her through tears. "They only look big to you because you're looking down at them," she said. "Stand up and look in the mirror." I did, and she was right. They no longer looked so enormous.

Perspective.

There's a full-length mirror in my downstairs bathroom that my friend, Julia, calls the "magic" mirror. "I love that mirror," she tells me. "I look so tall in it."  She's right; I don't know if it's tilted slightly or what, but I look really good in that mirror, too. So whenever I leave the house, that's the mirror I use for a final glance at myself. It's like a shot of confidence before I head out for the day. I feel better, and I'm sure I act differently because of that.

Silly? For sure. But it's all about perspective, isn't it?

Ever had a "light bulb" moment that shifted your body image perspective? I'd love to hear about it!

Now, I know what you're thinking: It's the end of the week, I'm exhausted and I just want to collapse on my couch. But please, hear me out.

Yesterday, I came across a story from the U.K. Daily Mail about a new book, The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula For Looking and Feeling Beautiful, by two doctors. Ever intrigued, I read about the authors' "prescription," fully expecting to hear a lot of same-old, same-old advice. Truthfully, there was a lot of same-old, same-old advice about good nutrition, good sleep habits, exercise, hair, make-up, etc. But I also found myself nodding in agreement with a lot of what the story said, especially this, "Your physical attributes are only part of what makes you attractive."

We've all seen her -- a woman who, by all standard measures of what's culturally considered beautiful, shouldn't really captivate us, but does so anyway. There's an elusive quality about her, and it's one that can't be measured by a scale, a clothing size or even a mirror.

It's called personality.

According to the authors of this new book, research shows that other people see you as 20 percent more attractive than you think you are. Why? Because you're looking only at your physical self (and probably picking apart your "flaws," too). They're seeing the whole package -- your warmth, your great laugh, your caring nature, etc. It's an entirely different perspective.

Perspective is a huge part of body image. Case in point: At 15, I can remember complaining to my mother about my "huge" thighs. "Look at them," I told her through tears. "They only look big to you because you're looking down at them," she said. "Stand up and look in the mirror." I did, and she was right. They no longer looked so enormous.

Perspective.

There's a full-length mirror in my downstairs bathroom that my friend, Julia, calls the "magic" mirror. "I love that mirror," she tells me. "I look so tall in it."  She's right; I don't know if it's tilted slightly or what, but I look really good in that mirror, too. So whenever I leave the house, that's the mirror I use for a final glance at myself. It's like a shot of confidence before I head out for the day. I feel better, and I'm sure I act differently because of that.

Silly? For sure. But it's all about perspective, isn't it?

Ever had a "light bulb" moment that shifted your body image perspective? I'd love to hear about it!

Comments

[Alyssa]

Another great post (as always)!
I've actually been having a number of lightbulb moments lately. 3 years ago I thought I was fat. I'd given birth twice and was living in L.A., the Land of Starvation and Silicone. Then we moved to the San Francisco area. I have since put on about 20-25 pounds. I'm not happy with it, but lately I'm not too upset, either. Sure, I'd like to lose the weight, but doing pilates and yoga (and teaching both) has helped me to appreciate my body as it is. The truth is, I'm stronger than I have ever been. I may be heavier, but I'm in better shape. And I feel like I'm FINALLY, at nearly 40, learning to truly love and appreciate this body of mine that does so much.
And I think you're right; years from now I'll look back at photos of myself and wonder why I thought I was so fat. I want to feel that way now.