Body Shape and Barbie

Did you realise that if Barbie were life-size,
her measurements would be 39-23-33 inches? (100-58-84 cms)

In each workshop, I teach on the design lines of clothes and basic body shapes. Understanding our silhouette & shape helps us make the most of the lines within clothes - so we can camouflage our figure 'challenges' and highlight our assets.

Virtually every time the comment is made, "I'm not as bad as I thought I was" or "I'm not so big in the hips/waist/shoulders." While I'm sure I'm not dealing with the true psychiatric disorder of Body Dysmorphia (being excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in physical features) it's sad that so few are positive about their body.

We are continually fed LIES via magazines, TV, movies etc. The body shape of models exists in just 4% of the population, and even the super-models have their photos enhanced & changed ... the women we see in the media DON'T EXIST!

Yes, of course we need to be fit and healthy; eating food that's good for us and exercising appropriately (not always easy in our hyper-busy culture) but please look around and make sure you are feeding realistic, healthy images into your mind.

The mind doesn't know the difference between fantasy and reality - that's why the imagination is so powerful and visualisation can improve an athlete's performance. But if you focus on an unachievable, unrealistic goal you are setting yourself up for constant disappointment and failure. Don't be so cruel to yourself!