You may have noticed that there’s been a lot of chatter lately about how body types are changing. One week, it’s all about the athletic body type, and the next it’s all about the hourglass. But what does this really mean? What’s considered athletic or hourglass? And should you even try to conform to these body types if they happen to be what you’re already shaped like? In this article, we’ll explore how chasing body type trends can actually be harmful and how to embrace your shape without feeling pressured to change your body in ways that are unnatural. (by Jessica Jones)
Over the past few weeks, if you’ve been on social media, you might have heard some debates about the “end of the BBL era.” Kim Kardashian’s 16-pound weight loss to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the Met Gala has drawn criticism, and people have also remarked that she and Khloé Kardashian appear to be considerably less voluptuous overall. People then proclaimed that this signaled the “end” of the BBL era and that longer, more svelte styles were once again in vogue.
The issue with it is that body types shouldn’t be fashions, especially if doing so requires significantly altering your appearance, often medically. Kim Kardashian has established herself as a full-fledged beauty symbol, but what she does with her body shouldn’t serve as a guide for how all body types should seem collectively. The general public may not be entirely aware of the medical specialists and procedures that celebrities have access to, in addition to not always being aware of the risks and aftercare associated with such plastic surgery.
Plastic surgeon Smita Ramanadham M.D., F.A.C.S. tells that these treatments “are frequently invasive, entail incisions, anesthesia, and might result in complications.” “They may even be fatal, especially in the case of BBLs.”
What really drives people to pursue the “ideal” figure, then? According to Beth Pausic, Psy, director of behavioral health at hims & hers, “as a culture, we are frequently exposed to ‘ideal’ bodies., tells . “We fail to understand what is required to reach that perfection. It can be a combination of genetics, extreme diets and exercise, cosmetic and surgical procedures. It may harm a person’s psychologically from the aspect of mental health.
Pursuing a flawless body image again and over again can result in low self-esteem, sadness, anxiety, disordered eating, and severe eating disorders. Major cosmetic surgery dissatisfaction may result in worse self-esteem than was already present. You might be wondering how to control the impulse to compare your life to that of megastars like the Kardashians in the age of social media, when people appear to make it a point to only present the sparkly versions of their lives, including their bodies.
The fact is that it’s worth a shot. She argues that in order to gain acceptance and a more upbeat mindset, one must work toward body acceptance. Dr. Pausic offers some advice, such as being mindful of critical self-talk regarding your appearance. Examples can include phrases like “I can start dating or be happier when I shed these final 15 pounds.” When negative ideas arise, make an effort to be aware of them and to remind yourself of your great qualities, which go beyond your appearance. If you’ve discovered that the images you are viewing on a regular basis make you feel the need to compare, taking a break from social media can also be beneficial.
If you choose to surgically alter your appearance, that is acceptable, but it must be a decision you make for yourself and not in response to any “trends” in popular culture.
According to Dr. Ramanadham, “having plastic surgery is a very personal decision and should finally solve a worry that you have and have been thinking about resolving for a significant amount of time.” “Never base your choice on what other people are doing.” You should also take the time to do some research and speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon to go over any queries or worries you may have as well as any potential surgical outcomes. These discussions ought to help you better grasp your own objectives and clarify the expectations you have for your performance.
The only person who should be influencing your decisions about your body should be yourself, regardless of whether the BBL era is coming to an end or not. It can be challenging, especially when it seems hard to escape other people’s opinions, but there is only one you, so take ownership of that. Regardless of the most popular style currently on Instagram, whether you want to surgically improve certain portions of your body or not, make sure that the decision is one that you are confident with and desire for yourself first.
