Weighing The Facts Turns 2 Today

Today, Weighing The Facts Celebrates Turning Two!

The time has gone by so quickly. It has been, and continues to be, such a rewarding experience.
I'm so grateful to have met so many amazing people through this blog, and the eating disorder, body image, and mental health communities. I just wanted to take a moment to say...
Thank you!
MrsM



Picture source:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaireproductions/ / CC BY 2.0

The True Beauty Wales Competition: Finding Images Of Real-Life Beauty

In conjunction with the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, The Cross-Party Group on Eating Disorders in Wales has launched a competition to find images of "Real Life" Beauty that challenges the size-zero culture and the narrow view of beauty that is portrayed in the media. "The Welsh public, especially young people, are being urged to take pictures of people who represent their own image of beauty and the ideal body shape."

It is estimated that at least 10,000 people in Wales have serious eating disorders.

The top 40 photographs chosen will be displayed during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 23-27, in the Senedd building, in Cardiff Bay.


The following rules apply:

The True Beauty Wales competition closes on February 16 and the best 40 photographs will be displayed in the Senedd from 10.30am on February 25.

The winner will be announced on February 25 at 5pm.

Entrants can post an A3-size photo depicting their idea of true beauty to Bethan Jenkins AM, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff, CF99 1NA.

They can also be e-mailed to truebeauty09@gmail.com or gwirharddwch09@gmail.com.

Alternatively images can be uploaded to www.flickr.com/groups/truebeauty_gwirharddwch.

Each photo should include a person and the rights to use 40 exhibited photos in publicity.

No responsibility is accepted for damage or loss and only one submission can be made per person.

The photograph must have been taken in the last 12 months and the person photographed must be over 16.

You can read more about The True Beauty Wales competition here.


sources:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/12/competition-challenges-stereotyped-images-of-beauty-91466-22669571/
picture: flickr.com

Body Image And Self-Esteem

Body Image: is a term which may refer to our perceptions of our own physical appearance, or our internal sense of having a body which is constructed by the brain. Essentially a person's body image is how they perceive their exterior to look, and in many cases this can be dramatically different to how they actually appear to others. From the point of view of psychoanalysis, the French child psychoanalyst Francoise Dolto has developed a theory concerning the unconscious body image.[1] Negative feelings towards a person's body can in some cases lead to mental disorders such as depression or eating disorders, though there can be a variety of different reasons why these disorders can occur. Within the media industry there have recently been popular debates focusing on how Size Zero models can negatively influence young people into feeling insecure about their own body image. It has been suggested that size zero models be banned from cat walks.

Self-Esteem: reflects a person's overall self-appraisal of their own worth.

Self-esteem encompasses both beliefs (for example, "I am competent/incompetent) and emotions (for example: truimph/despair, pride/shame). Behavior may reflect self-esteem, in (for example: assertiveness/timorousness, confidence/caution).

Psychologists usually regard self-esteem as an enduring personality characteristic (trait self-esteem), though normal, short-term variations (state self-esteem) occur.

Self-esteem can apply specifically to a particular dimension (for example: "I believe I am a good writer, and feel proud of that in particular") or have global extent (for example: "I believe I am a good person, and feel proud of myself in general").

see also:
Body Image Tests
Self-Esteem Tests
Using Afirmations
Self-Worth: The Unconditional Love Of Self
*see sidebar for more Resources and Tools.

Sources: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gC9g-1MJdE4
Body image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_image
Self-Esteem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-esteem

PSA From Your Body

Bamagal posted about this at her blog, Kimkins Scam and I had to share it. It's a video from Michelle at Mouthfeel. Your body has a message for you that is absolutely wonderful. Check it out.

A Public Service Announcement From Your Body




Sources: http://peggynature.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/a-public-service-announcement-fromyour-body/#comment-312 http://kimkinsscam.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/need-a-good-boost-today/ picture:http://www.flickr.com/photos/altemark/337248947/