For me, body positivity is all about not criticizing other people for their bodies.
I reserve the right to tweak and work on my own body as I wish. I want my body to do the things I want it to do. It is all about functionality. I can't get it perfect but I can get it good enough. Hiking is important to me. So is being able to chase my granddaughter around. Not feeling so much back pain. Or easily touching my toes.
Maybe someone else doesn't want to do the same things I do. Not my place to judge.
Sometimes the hangups aren't about how one looks to others. I gave up on that one 30 years ago.
Sometimes it is a rejection of growing older. Trying to stave off aging as long as possible. Looking at those wrinkles and saying, "This is not me. That's not my face. Those are not my . That's not hipsmy belly. My boobs don't droop!" (For a guy, "Why do I have boobs now? What happened to my penis?" 😂) Fighting the visible traits of age because we don't want to be old.
"As writers, it is not for us to judge, it is for us to understand." So said E. Hemingway. It goes for us to see, too, without judgement. I see you, you see me. No big deal.
I have been fighting the bulge for way too long. I finally decided that exercise was not enough. I bit the bullet and stopped biting the candy. I started eating three meals. Stop the 24/7 snacking. Stayed away from real fatty foods and fried foods and embrace fruits and veggies more. I have been on my new diet for a month. I have loss 10pounds and still loosing. Now time to ride my bicycle and tone up my muscles
People get all critical of tattoos, jewelry, grooming, etc. I think it's hypocritical. We want respect for our decision to bare ourselves, then we should be respectful of how others present them selves. I guess with a caveot of not advertising beyond naturist principles.
I personally cringe when some naturists express themselves through intensive body building & weight training. But I keep that to myself. I am not one to criticize others for their personal journey. The same is true for Botox and other treatments people take to feel better about themselves. You are the owner of the chassis, it's up to you how you want to maintain it.
Thanks for the frank discussion on the topic. I feel it should be discussed openly within the naturist community.
I can totally relate. I love nude recreation and playing sports. I try to stay fit to be a better player, but also to like what I see in the mirror. However, I also love to see people of all shapes and sizes at nudist resorts. I needed a DJ for an event at our local naturist resort and a woman reached out to me that she thought it sounded like fun, but she was too big. I assured her there was no size limit and that she would fit right in. She decided to come out with a friend and had the time of her life! She was glowing up on stage singing karaoke! She was so excited to come back. She gave me a big hug and thanked me for inviting her. I loved seeing her so happy!
JILLIAN, we have seen your nude photos and art renderings over the years and you have nothing to be concerned about or to be judged for. Your beauty has brought both Kim and I joy and encourgament for years.
Being a nudist is also being non judgmental of others. That was what sold my wife 20 years ago on this wonderful journey we have experienced with many wonderful nude friends along the way.
Wanting to look and feel a certain way is human nature. It based on the individual. 27 people can tell me I have nice legs, but doesn’t mean I’m content with how they look at the time. Maybe I want them a bit more toned, a bit more tanned, whatever. Now, if that turns destructive, ie, “I hate my legs, I always wear pants, they’re ugly”….thats a different story.
So I think it’s totally ok to be the best you, you want to be. Nothing wrong with improving an A to an A+.
Each one has his/her own criterion about the body. However no one can fulfill it because of complexities of life which leads to several factors affecting the body & mind.. Age is the most powerful factor which dictates the body & mind. As a naturist I feel that the body should be healthy as much as possible without giving much attention to it's looks..
My take, which is very similar if not the same as yours, Fred Heiser, and others is that body acceptance of self is a very different thing from body acceptance of others. And body acceptance of self is not mutually exclusive from wanting to maintain or improve self.
For me, body positivity is all about not criticizing other people for their bodies.
I reserve the right to tweak and work on my own body as I wish. I want my body to do the things I want it to do. It is all about functionality. I can't get it perfect but I can get it good enough. Hiking is important to me. So is being able to chase my granddaughter around. Not feeling so much back pain. Or easily touching my toes.
Maybe someone else doesn't want to do the same things I do. Not my place to judge.
Sometimes the hangups aren't about how one looks to others. I gave up on that one 30 years ago.
Sometimes it is a rejection of growing older. Trying to stave off aging as long as possible. Looking at those wrinkles and saying, "This is not me. That's not my face. Those are not my . That's not hipsmy belly. My boobs don't droop!" (For a guy, "Why do I have boobs now? What happened to my penis?" 😂) Fighting the visible traits of age because we don't want to be old.
"As writers, it is not for us to judge, it is for us to understand." So said E. Hemingway. It goes for us to see, too, without judgement. I see you, you see me. No big deal.
I have been fighting the bulge for way too long. I finally decided that exercise was not enough. I bit the bullet and stopped biting the candy. I started eating three meals. Stop the 24/7 snacking. Stayed away from real fatty foods and fried foods and embrace fruits and veggies more. I have been on my new diet for a month. I have loss 10pounds and still loosing. Now time to ride my bicycle and tone up my muscles
People get all critical of tattoos, jewelry, grooming, etc. I think it's hypocritical. We want respect for our decision to bare ourselves, then we should be respectful of how others present them selves. I guess with a caveot of not advertising beyond naturist principles.
I personally cringe when some naturists express themselves through intensive body building & weight training. But I keep that to myself. I am not one to criticize others for their personal journey. The same is true for Botox and other treatments people take to feel better about themselves. You are the owner of the chassis, it's up to you how you want to maintain it.
Thanks for the frank discussion on the topic. I feel it should be discussed openly within the naturist community.
Stay Safe, Stay Bare!
It doesn’t matter how much I believe these things don’t matter, the bloke in the mirror is a much sterner critic. You are not alone, Jillian!!
I can totally relate. I love nude recreation and playing sports. I try to stay fit to be a better player, but also to like what I see in the mirror. However, I also love to see people of all shapes and sizes at nudist resorts. I needed a DJ for an event at our local naturist resort and a woman reached out to me that she thought it sounded like fun, but she was too big. I assured her there was no size limit and that she would fit right in. She decided to come out with a friend and had the time of her life! She was glowing up on stage singing karaoke! She was so excited to come back. She gave me a big hug and thanked me for inviting her. I loved seeing her so happy!
I agree with Fred. It's not our place to judge others
JILLIAN, we have seen your nude photos and art renderings over the years and you have nothing to be concerned about or to be judged for. Your beauty has brought both Kim and I joy and encourgament for years.
T & K
Being a nudist is also being non judgmental of others. That was what sold my wife 20 years ago on this wonderful journey we have experienced with many wonderful nude friends along the way.
Wanting to look and feel a certain way is human nature. It based on the individual. 27 people can tell me I have nice legs, but doesn’t mean I’m content with how they look at the time. Maybe I want them a bit more toned, a bit more tanned, whatever. Now, if that turns destructive, ie, “I hate my legs, I always wear pants, they’re ugly”….thats a different story.
So I think it’s totally ok to be the best you, you want to be. Nothing wrong with improving an A to an A+.
Each one has his/her own criterion about the body. However no one can fulfill it because of complexities of life which leads to several factors affecting the body & mind.. Age is the most powerful factor which dictates the body & mind. As a naturist I feel that the body should be healthy as much as possible without giving much attention to it's looks..
Oh, I feel this. I always have complaints about my own body but def try not to judge others bodies (but I know I'm not 100% able to)
My take, which is very similar if not the same as yours, Fred Heiser, and others is that body acceptance of self is a very different thing from body acceptance of others. And body acceptance of self is not mutually exclusive from wanting to maintain or improve self.
Love the piece you wrote.
Short and to the point!
I too like to keep fit and am quite accepting of other's curvatures but am pretty harsh on myself for the belly that is now making itself known....
I am new to this and still VERY self-conscious.
New enough not to know the difference between naturism and nudism...
Had to look it up!
Thanks for the opinion!