What Is The Perfect Body For A Woman?

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Chanele Edwards in Q&A Session

Q: What is the perfect body for a woman?

If you’re not based in London then this advert caused a lot of controversy. A lot of people complained that it was offensive to them.

You can read about it here: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/apr/29/beach-body-ready-ad-faces-formal-inquiry-as-campaign-sparks-outrage

Based on this article, I want to find out your views on the ideal body image for women. Is there anything such as being beach body ready? Do you think there should be limitations on being too overweight or too underweight? Is it about health and fitness or a woman’s happiness with the way she feels and looks? We know that the media has a lot of influence when it comes to the judgement of women’s bodies but what are your views?

11 ANSWERS

Molly, 20 | The Rose Beauty Files

I feel like the perfect body image for a woman is the one that they feel the most comfortable in. That could be curvy or slim, but as long as they are healthy I.e not overweight or under weight dangerously, then it should be what makes them feel the best about themselves. There is not a “perfect body image”; women are not all the same!

Amy, 40 | The Makeup Case

I can see why the advert caused a lot of commotion. It’s always irked me that the media translates “beach/summer body” into “rail thin, flat stomach and tan”. Ads like these are basically body shaming. Not everyone has the “perfect” body.

This is such a tricky and touchy subject because we all need to have healthy bodies, but everyone’s own healthy body varies. There are those who have rail thin bodies that some associate with being healthy, but being super thin does not always mean super healthy. There could be underlying health issues or the person may have an eating disorder.

Then there’s the other end where if you’re not skinny you’re considered not healthy, fat, and all that. Now I’ve had many friends over the years who have been considered “overweight” by the mainstream. Most of them couldn’t help it. Sometimes it’s just genetics. But it makes me angry when there’s a photo of a really pretty girl who happens to have some meat on her bones but wearing a swimsuit that looks great for herbody type and people respond with “Eww!” “Gross!” or “beached whale” comments. What if that was YOU?

But there are some out there that are very seriously overweight (we’re talking the over 300 pounds variety) and THAT is definitely unhealthy. That’s a whole nother ballgame though.

Ok I’m rambling, But overall, I don’t think there’s just ONE beach/summer body type. There are LOTS of beach/summer body types. And that’s totally ok.
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Vanessa | Say Hello to Gorgeous

While I hesitate to say it’s offensive, I hate the idea of being “beach body ready.” No one should forgo a fun activity like going to the beach or pool because they feel self-conscious about their body. Ads like this contribute to negative body image. One of the hardest and most surprising lessons I have learned in my life is that no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, someone finds you attractive. Ads like this undercut that message by giving us only one image of beauty. The media and other people can be quick to make snap judgments about another’s image under the guise of being concerned about “health.” What they forget is that health is not just physical. It’s mental. Being happy with your body is important.

Mia | The Beautorialist

This is a difficult topic because every woman’s perception of what a “perfect body” entails is so different. Radical diets and other extreme weight loss plans are never healthy, but unfortunately women do cave to them to get results. The media dictates the “perfect body image” will have you weighing in at 120 lbs. with 3% body fat, perfect tan, no cellulite or stretch marks, and all that jazz. A woman’s perfect body image should be about where she is the healthiest. As long as you are in your healthy weight range, I think that is pretty ideal. The reality is that women come in so many unique shapes and sizes, and are all beautifulin so many ways.

There’s no such thing as the perfect body. Do you agree? Tweet @enterspree, using #ESBeautyQA

Caryl | Caryl Almelor

I don’t believe there is a “perfect” body image for women. We’re bombarded with constant reminders of what women’s bodies should look like, by images seen on television, magazines, and by celebrities we like and follow. These images don’t necessarily represent every woman out there and I don’t think we all have to look a certain way to fit in. Instead, women should learn to embrace themselves for what they have and be happy for who they are. We’re not perfect, but who would want to look like every other woman, sharing the same body features. Everyone is born with unique features and we, as a community should be accepting of that, rather than trying to change what is different.

Brianna, 23 | Online Beauty Finds

In my opinion there is no such thing as an “ideal” body weight. Everyone is different and each person should make goals based on themselves and what they want to achieve without comparing themselves with others. The media makes this extremely difficult for us because of the billions that go into this “health” industry. If you find yourself getting obsessed with your weight or feeling insecure just think about how the ideal body image has changed so drastically throughout the years and how you have the idealbody in a different country this present moment.

Julia, 21 | Elegant and Relevant

There is no such thing as a perfect body. As long as we are healthy and happy with ourselves – or at the very least, striving to be – then our bodies are exactly the way they should be!

Nicole, 17 | Nicolish

Personally, I don’t think there is a perfect body type. Everybody is different and I don’t think there is a such thing as a perfect body type because I don’t think that type would fit everybody. Some people are very petite and look good that way while some people are a little more curvy and look amazing that way. I think everybody’s natural body type is perfect and gorgeous and I feel like we should appreciate the way our bodies look more.

Tifa, 33 | Blog Creatifa

Women of any weight can have health issues, so first and foremost, I would say that being healthy is the most important thing.

“Perfect” body image, similar to beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Slim, muscular, curvy… all are beautiful, and perfect in their own right. I can see why the ‘Protein World’ advertisement would have caused so much controversy, but they are promoting a weight loss campaign, with the aid of their products, so the model they chose to use is in accordance with the image they are selling. I am not saying that I agree with their campaign, but I think it is unfair to target them, when there are so many companies doing the same thing – whether they are selling lingerie, clothing, perfumes or cosmetics, most models used are not of average size.

As long we are happy and comfortable with how we look, we should not feel we have to conform to society’s idea of the perfect body image. To reiterate my opening statement, being healthy should be our top priority.

Is being healthy the most important thing? Tweet @enterspree, using #ESBeautyQA

Katy, 33 | Schoolrun Beauty

I personally didn’t find this advert offensive, but as I am at what I consider to be my ideal body image I just saw it as another advert aimed at fitness enthusiasts. I’m also clued up enough to realise that this image has more than likely been airbrushed so take it with a pinch of salt.

I’m not sure if someone switched on would realise this though, and this is where this type of image could be seen as damaging. The type of body image that is regularly portrayed by the media is often unobtainable. The media do need to wake up to this fact as it’s gives the wrong message.

I have been a very small size 6 and just looked and felt unwell. I was unhealthily underweight. I would just like to add that this was due to working crazy hours and not looking after myself properly, not actively watching my weight. Now as a size 10 I’m happy and feel well. I work out but it’s more about getting abody that is strong and healthy rather than how it looks. I have to admit though to not wanting to gain any more weight as I would feel uncomfortable about my appearance. This is the key for me, it’s about getting that healthy balance that is right for you.

There is such a thing as being beach body ready but it has nothing to do with how big or small your body is. It’s about remembering to have sorted out your bikini line. Yes I went there! Sorry.

Manisha, 22 | Manisha Amar Makeup

This is something that’s pretty close to home for me. I’d like to say I’m pretty body confident, I know what style flatters me and really doesn’t work for my shape. Protein World’s advert in London really stirred up quite a storm around positive/negative body image. People might argue that people who aren’t slim aren’t healthy however you can be slim and unhealthy.

I don’t think there should be limitations on what people choose to wear; it should be the individual’s choice on how they dress and it has nothing to do with others around them. The ideal body image has changed throughout the years and the pressure to look a certain way is stronger than ever thanks to the many media outlets. Wherever you look, you are being forced to take in an image of a woman who has a shapely bum, perky boobs, defined waist, washboard stomach, perfect hair, teeth, skin, nails – the list is endless. The perfect body image for a woman is someone who is happy in her own skin.

What do you think? What is the perfect body for a woman? Leave your comments below or Tweet Enterspree! Don’t forget your hashtag #ESBeautyQA

Please note that the views expressed by women in our Beauty Q&A Sessions are their own, and do not reflect the opinions and views of Enterspree.