Whatcha got?

[kina]

I've had it! I know I want to lose weight, for both aesthetic and health reasons.

I'm tired of looking down on myself, i'm tired of being self critical and worried about how I look. I know that this dance, this field embraces women of all sizes and body types. i also know that it is very cut-throat and thin dancers are in.

That having been said, and knowing that there is something lovely about every dancer on this board, I'm proposing the following:

Every one that posted anything self critical is now invited to share something about your body that you like. We all have something, if it's the curve of your eyebrow, hip or ankle, bring it on! Not only state why you like, what do you like about it?

You cannot say something nice, and then be self deprecating, you must state something that you like, unequivocally, without excuses or then saying something negative.

I will start. I like the line of my spine, I like how strong my back looks. I like the definition of my shoulders, and my upper arms. I like being able to flex my arms and see the muscle. I like knowing that I can lift a 20lb bag of rice by myself, and carry it.

Next!

[bdaddiction]

My face, I am glad I don't need to apply makeup to it, during the day and when I do wear makeup it is so fun to play with on my face.

My toes, not only can I pick things up with them, lol, they are pretty neat and tidy, and are so fun to pedicure.

My breasts, lol... They finally arrived! I was a late bloomer.

My butt. I like it, because it is there, literally.

Well, that was fun.

Thanks... kina

[kina]

yay bdaddiction!

I always thought picking up things with toes with normal, until I ran into somebody who couldn't do it. The largest thing I ever picked up was a lamp. It makes life so much easier when you have another set of hands

[damiena]

I can pick up things with my toes also!!! I thought I was the only person who did - I am happy I am not alone!!!

Okay, deep breath now. My hair. I have to admit - it is pretty cool. Long, thick, curly and naturally red. Right now, it is waist length when dry and it has become something of an experiment. I have no idea how much longer it will grow - waist length is the longest I have had it before!

I have a new fascination with my obliques - they are getting very defined because of working out - the oblique machine at the gym is a killer! When I do undulations or omis, they really, really stand out.

And I really like my ankles - they are very small and shapely!

[bethsoren]

My hair - It is long thick and dark (no gray, even at 38)
&
My breasts - I've nursed 3 kids and the DD's still look pretty good (especially in a costume that fits well)

[Ainsley]

What a great idea, Kina. We should all do this more often.

My hair: I'm a sucker for long, curly hair (I love yours, too, Damiena!). Probably because my Mom used to blow dry it in elementary school, until I thought that limp and wavy was all my hair could be. After growing out a really bad perm in junior high, I finally clued in, started air drying it, and discovered my natural, amazing curls! :D

My breasts: society says they're small, I say they're perky. And I love not needing to wear a bra.

My smile: I worked through my phobia of dentists by suffering through eight extractions and three years of braces, but the results are so worth it. I love my straight teeth, and I feel like they're a symbol of my courage.

[meissoun]

Well, I have great legs and like to show them. Plus I they are very strong (thanks to all that classical Indian dancing).

My hands are my pride and a friend of mine always tells me "you have such cute feet!"

I am also in the club of "small but perky" - you'd never guess that I am 38 just looking at my boobs! And I think they will stay like that for quite some time.

I think my lips have a perfect shape.
And you can never go wrong with green eyes like mine!

MEISSOUN

[Adishakti]

Great thread, Kina.

I like my abs, feet, ankles, teeth, lips, hair, and even though I'd like to lose some weight at the moment, my curves are in the right places.

[LauraLevana]

Great idea, Kina!

By the way, I can not only pick things up with my toes, but I can also write and draw with them!

Right now I'm most happy with my skin--it looks good for someone about to turn 40--and my stomach, which is still flat.

[theesfield]

" I can make spaghetti!"
"With your feet!?"

Sorry, Breakafast Club moment.

I like my breast. They are firm and with the assistance of a good bra, these DDD's look as if they can withstand gravity. I like my freckles. I love my smile.

Nilaja

[danidance]

*crickets chirping*.

I have nice hands and don't look my age. Bodywise, I love that it works and is healthy most of the time (even if its proportions vex me no end).

[weese17]

I love my big, beautiful, soulful blue eyes.

I love how expressive my face is. :)

I love my long neck.

I love my dainty little ankles (even if I don't like how vulnerable they are to twisting, lol!)

Lucy!

[Michelle75]

Nice idea.

My favorite part of me is without a doubt my eyes. They are a beautiful jewel toned green. I always get compliments on them. I'm also lucky to have a long neck and long legs.

[Lauren_]

Dani, nope. Try again, without the self-deprecation.

I love that my hair is still blonde at 42, even though everyone thinks I color it.

I love the muscle definition that's starting to show up in my arms and legs. My butt's nice and high these days, thanks to dance, yoga and working out. My breasts are a good size for my body. And I like being tall!

And I'm very grateful for inheriting general good health. I rarely even catch a cold or flu, and so far *knocks wood* I haven't had any serious illnesses to deal with.

[joanneraks]

great idea, Kina! I hope everyone on bhuz jumps in!

Lauren, you reminded me - I, too, am hugely grateful for good health. I'm grateful that I have all of my limbs and can move and dance. I'm glad that I feel comfortable and happy and healthy, have never had to deal with a major injury or illness.

and... I think my skin is scrumptious, I love having thick hair, I have cute toes, I love my eyes, and I've been told my nipples are perfection. hee hee :)



ps - wow, that felt good! I'm pretty self-critical most of the time, and usually feel obligated to throw in something self-deprecating in any positive statement. whew! I did it!

[phillyraqs]

I love my eyebrows. They are perfect - they have the perfect arch, are the perfect thickness, and I rarely even have to groom them.

I love my eyelashes - they are thick and long and I have a double row of lashes on each lid. They have been mistaken for fake lashes.

I love my smile and my lips - my smile looks just like my dad's, and I see him in every photo of me smiling.

I love my hands and my nails - my middle fingers distinctively curve and it's a trait that every woman in my mother's family has, so I look at my hands and feel like I am connected to all these women past and present.

Wow, this feels really great - thank you Kina, it's so refreshing to go over all the things I like about my appearance, rather than all the things I hate. I didn't think I'd have anything to mention at first, but I actually cut my list short!

[mish_mish]

I like my feet --they are cute!

I like my shoulders and my upper arms.

I have good hip to waist ratio and I carry my weight well even when I get bigger. It pretty much goes to the boobs and the butt/hips.

And if I didn't have my butt, I wouldn't have gotten my husband's attention 15 years ago. And it still keeps his attention!

[je_ateek]

I love my bum and my boobs- I think they fit my body very well. I also love my hair and my eyes.

[Samirah-NH]

When I read the first couple of posts to this thread I was thinking, "I got nuthin'." BUT after now reading everyone else's replies they've reminded me of the things I DO like about myself. Thanx! I needed this.

My green eyes - I'm the only one in my whole family (aunts, uncles & cousins included) who has green eyes.

I have cute toes.

My butt has always attracted positive attention. I like the curve of my waist into my hip. And after many years of always wishing for more, I've finally grown to accept my small but well shaped breasts. My boyfriend says I have the perfect perky breasts of a 20 yr old.

And I love, love, LOVE that I don't look my age. Last month while out of town on vacation I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things, including a couple bottles of wine. When the cashier rang them through a little message pops up on the screen asking 'Is the customer at least 27 yrs of age?'. (Legal age is 21, but I guess Michigan doesn't want to take any chances selling to underage drinkers) I could see her glancing at me kinda funny a few times as she rang through the rest of my order, and then she said, "I'm going to have to ask to see your ID because I can't make up my mind?" I'm just 2 months shy of 43!! WOOHOO!!

[Souzan]

I have always had compliments from strangers on my hair. It is thick, wavey, and healthy. Now that I am way post menopausal it has thinned a little around the front but by hairdresser said that I have always had so much hair that it is actually a good thing. She used to thin the top and front of my hair to keep it in line.

Also love my long, strong, shapely legs and small ankles.

Souzan

[jmc]

I love my hair and my hands. My hair is long (although not as long as it used to be as I just had 6 inches cut off so now it's at my bra strap in the back instead of on my bum) and has a lot of body & natural curl and is very healthy. I get lots of compliments on my hair. I love my hands & fingers becasue they're pretty and graceful and I can dance with them and do undulations & waves with them. I also get complimented on my graceful hands. Also, people tell me that I don't look 46. Bonus! Thanks for this opportunity! I spend too much time being critical of the parts of my body that I'm unhappy with so it's nice to publically talk about the parts I do like and read what other's also like about themselves.

[aazura]

I like my butt -- it's shapely and perky. I also like my breast for the same reason.

Not too happy with my hair right now... but that's just because I'm growing out my bangs and am in that "awkward" period... it'll pass...