Our first feature model comes from the East Coast of Canada. She offers us a candid glimpse into her life, and it becomes clear that she is beautiful both on the inside, as well as the outside.
Thanks, Jennifer.
Name:
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer.
Name:
Jennifer
City/Town:
Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
What do you think defines who you are?
My energy, my personality. They're hard to miss.
My energy, my personality. They're hard to miss.
Do you have a positive body image? Why or why not?
For the most part, no. I hate my muffin top and my double chin. But more so, I feel that I'm somehow abnormal compared to most women. For me, this doesn't come from my own judgement in the mirror, but from the ignorant, insensitive comments of others. Many people - from azzhat boyfriends to family members - have made comments on my weight. I wrongly assumed that people have good intentions and they were being truthful when they made those comments. Why would someone who cares about you tell you something that's not true? Even though I've never been obese, I ended up feeling ashamed and embarrassed about my size. It never occurred to me that people were saying these things to be self-serving, to make themselves feel better about their own self-worth.
For the most part, no. I hate my muffin top and my double chin. But more so, I feel that I'm somehow abnormal compared to most women. For me, this doesn't come from my own judgement in the mirror, but from the ignorant, insensitive comments of others. Many people - from azzhat boyfriends to family members - have made comments on my weight. I wrongly assumed that people have good intentions and they were being truthful when they made those comments. Why would someone who cares about you tell you something that's not true? Even though I've never been obese, I ended up feeling ashamed and embarrassed about my size. It never occurred to me that people were saying these things to be self-serving, to make themselves feel better about their own self-worth.
But I'm a work in progress. At some point, I realised that being a size 2 just wasn't going to happen and I embraced the physical strength my body is capable of. I started running and - more recently - weight training. And even though I am still "overweight", now I can see tangible proof of the strength and beauty in my form and I also see how that intimidates the people who tried to bring me down. While I embrace that strength and thrive on it, at the same time I still carry the neurosis that I am not a "normal" size and should be ashamed. It was evident when I was recently working out at the gym with my boyfriend, a former weightlifter who has been teaching me to weight train. I noticed that the people in the weight room (mostly young men) were staring at me as I did cleans-and-presses. I stopped and I told him I was embarrassed, that they were all staring at me and I felt like an idiot. I assumed they found this fat chick in the gym entertaining. My boyfriend pointed out they were indeed all staring at me - because I was lifting as much as they were.
What is your favorite feature?
It's a tie between my eyes and my legs.
It's a tie between my eyes and my legs.
What size do you currently wear?
12-14
12-14
How tall are you?
5'8"
5'8"
Tell us a little about what makes you beautiful.
Physically, I think my green eyes are unique. I think overall, the beauty I have comes from my heart.
Physically, I think my green eyes are unique. I think overall, the beauty I have comes from my heart.
The current fashion industry indicates a size 10 is plus size, keeping in mind most models are at least 5'9. What are your thoughts on this?
I think people often wrongly apply fashion industry standards to "real life". I don't think any other industry applies it's standards outside of their own realm, do they? I don't drive a Crown Vic because it's the standard for police cars. As much as that sounds like common sense, my gut reaction is "Shit, I'm 4 sizes too big and an inch too short. And too old to be a model now."
I think people often wrongly apply fashion industry standards to "real life". I don't think any other industry applies it's standards outside of their own realm, do they? I don't drive a Crown Vic because it's the standard for police cars. As much as that sounds like common sense, my gut reaction is "Shit, I'm 4 sizes too big and an inch too short. And too old to be a model now."
What kind of message would you like to see relayed to women of all ages who are struggling with their sense of self?
Strength and beauty come from within. It sounds cliche, but you have to love yourself first. When you're OK with who you are and you can be your true genuine self, people will see that long before they see the extra jiggle around your middle.
Please feel free to ask questions of Jennifer in the comment section below. Thanks! If you would like to be a Dangerous Curves feature model, please send an email to bettiepeg@gmail.com
Strength and beauty come from within. It sounds cliche, but you have to love yourself first. When you're OK with who you are and you can be your true genuine self, people will see that long before they see the extra jiggle around your middle.
Please feel free to ask questions of Jennifer in the comment section below. Thanks! If you would like to be a Dangerous Curves feature model, please send an email to bettiepeg@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment