body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Fat Shaming—Like Cancer to the Soul
Many women in our society—yes, myself included—have learned to hate our femininity, hate our form, hate our maturity as we grow older, hate our bodies, our minds, deny our wisdom. How many of us women who have a certain amount of extra weight have experienced the following scenario...or similar?
Kate QuinnPublished 6 years ago in VivaFat and Skinny Shaming
Society has ways of developing a right and wrong view of what true beauty is, going as far as blaming the makers of the Barbie doll for demonstrating an illusion of what beauty is too young girls. Females are the main target when it comes to beauty, but males suffer too. There are promotions for beauty being on the inside because of how the shapes of bodies are looked down upon. The point to this is to show a side that isn’t shown as often as it should be.
Brittany DiamondPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - May 2018
I'm Not the Pretty Girl
Do you ever feel like you're not going to find your soulmate? I definitely know that feeling. I also know the feeling of thinking that you're not enough for someone. I know the feeling when your mom or dad says, "You would be one hell of a catch," but I know that I wouldn't be. I know the feeling of being crazy excited when you're finally talking to a hot guy and then you feel like you're worth something because someone like him wants you. I used to know these feelings. Not anymore.
Madison RheamPublished 6 years ago in Viva Am I Beautiful?
Today I can honestly say I feel quite beautiful. It is, of course, due to the fact that my insides feel good and not because I look good on the outside. I ordered a salad instead of pizza and why? Because it is healthy, that's why. I am not thick or thin but somewhere in between 106 and 160. At one point I was 160 because I was full of bad foods and an equally terrible lifestyle.
Elizabeth RoxPublished 6 years ago in VivaIs There Something Wrong With My Body?
Approximately 91 percent of women have a negative body image. That is a staggering number. All the pictures portrayed of the stick-thin models in magazines and on Instagram are unrealistic. In fact, only 5 percent of the women in America actually possess the "ideal" body presented by the media. So what is the ideal body? The ideal body is when you are happy, love your body, and are healthy—not only physically but mentally. How you get there is up to you. If you simply struggle with how you think about your body, work on changing your mindset. If you want to physically change your body, find exercises and a routine that works for you. Finding your ideal is how you find confidence and self-love. Your ideal doesn't have to be looking like a supermodel. Maybe your ideal is finding something you like about your body and focusing on it. Maybe your ideal is showing your body off to build confidence. Maybe your ideal is telling yourself you are beautiful. Whatever your "Ideal" is, once you find it, you should be able to love your body. Loving yourself can do wonders for your mental health because you don't obsess over tiny flaws. If you radiate confidence, other people are attracted to that positive energy.
Loving All but Myself
It’s the same thing every morning. I wake up, check my phone, brush my teeth and any other morning ritual a person does. I make sure to stretch because this will help the motion in the muscles and with flexibility, and it just makes me feel good.
Didn't See That Coming
Generally speaking, hormones can be vastly inconvenient. From a woman's perspective, they are downright a pain in the ass! However, pregnancy has a whole different set of hormones that make any sane woman go crazy! I have become very aware of my mood swings, and it has not been easy keeping them in check either. As my belly grows, I am physically getting more uncomfortable, and apparently, it doesn't take much to "set me off."
Not ImportantPublished 6 years ago in VivaWait, You Were Naked?
I could say that I was mortified about having every mole, pimple, and hair on my body captured in an eternal digital file. But the truth is, I didn’t really mind. I could say that my knees got weak at the thought of posing in a completely vulnerable state in front of dozens of people who studied every detail of my figure...but instead, I anticipated the moment.
Amy PattersonPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - April 2018
How I Overcame Losing My Breasts
Body positivity is a growing trend, and a good one. So much of society seems determined to knock people down for their appearance that it is time reclaim our relationships to our bodies. Today’s post is about my breasts and how such seemingly trivial things can greatly impact a person’s body image, especially when you consider how other people respond to them. Yet despite the power of these simple fatty deposits, you can still have the confidence to define and redefine your own self-worth. I know, because I did. Here’s my story.
Elizabeth BertPublished 6 years ago in Viva Love Yourself
I wasn't sure about creating this but I know other girls struggle too. I've struggled with my weight most of my life, I've always been the little pudgy kid. I've always had some sort of insecurity about my body and how I look. It's like you don't get bullied but you know people talk behind your back. Frankly, I'd rather have someone call me fat to my face than see them stare. On my bad days, I even tell my closest friends, "I'm fat," and of course they always respond with something like, "no you're not!"
Alyssa SmithPublished 6 years ago in VivaPMS Survival Guide
If you're a woman like myself, I'm sure you can nod your head in agreement that being a woman is never easy. Especially when Aunt Flo pops in once a month for a visit. Here are a few tips and tricks to having a much happier period. Not to mention a much happier ending when it comes time to pop open the champagne as soon as Aunt Flo leaves. At least for another month. Here are some surival tips to make your visit with Aunt Flo more tolerable and much less expensive.
Janelle OuelletPublished 6 years ago in VivaTo Filmmakers That Make Rape Scenes
I know what you’re thinking; you’ve heard all of this before. You’ve already been contacted by plenty of other rape survivors who’ve told you how you triggered them with that graphic scene. You’ve heard hundreds, maybe even thousands of times how you made other women burst into tears and have to leave the theater, or even triggered panic attacks by making such a realistic rape scene. Maybe some of you have openly apologized to anyone that you offended with that scene. Or maybe, instead, you’ve decided to stand by and defend the scene, saying that violence is shown in movies all the time, and that you wanted to accurately show the horror of the crime.
Elizabeth BrandonPublished 6 years ago in Viva