Whether you are Eastern or Western raised desi, I think we all have pressures to look a certain way. For me personally, I’m very petite, 5’2" and size 0, 85lbs but I never feel thin enough. I’m very self-critical. I am always using my body as a tool to reach some non-existant state of perfection. Some would say this is a very Western phenomena. But the world is becoming a very small place. Women in Pakistan work out at gyms and emulate Britney Spears don’t they? But some would say this is a small majority of women who are ruined by Western influence. I know that Lollywood actresses are usually a bit plump (men like that), but the models (Cybil, Vinnie) are considerably thinner. So does body image for desi women seem to matter and what are some criteria that rates a desirable shape and size?
Re: Body Image in Desi girls
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*Originally posted by saimanyc: * So does body image for desi women seem to matter and what are some criteria that rates a desirable shape and size?
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Ofcourse it does but there is no universal rule for that. Some like thin, some plump and this too change. I for myself liked plump girls some years ago but now I think thins have attraction for me....Its a normal phenomenon if girls work out in gyms.
oh god, trust me, ur thin enough! did u call urself fat in other words?! 
Re: Body Image in Desi girls
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*Originally posted by saimanyc: *
I'm very petite, 5'2" and size 0, 85lbs but I never feel thin enough. I'm very self-critical. I am always using my body as a tool to reach some non-existant state of perfection.
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some would call this "dysmorphic body image", a serious illness. My goodness, you are already a size 0 and 85 pounds, what is your goal?
and how do you find clothes that fit you. I actually am very similar in numbers to what you mentioned above, and I can't find clothes to wear. nothing ever fits right. and i'm trying as hard as i possibly can, to eat right, exercise and gain some weight.
I think you should consider the same.
I think very few girls are content with their bodies. Maybe this is a western phenomenon ... to be honest, I have no clue. When I was in Pakistan, I did notice my cousins obsessing about their figures ... would worry about what they were eating and becoming fat. To me, they were all very slim and no where near even being slightly chubby.
I'm extremely self-concious about my appearance. I know, however, that no matter how much I work out, I will always remain on the 'fuller side'. My body just ain't meant to be thin.
I think a lot of it comes down to what our perception of beautiful is. If you look at magazines, entertainment, television, movies (Bollywood and Hollywood), pretty much all of them have women with the supermodel body and they are thought to be 'beautiful'. A lot of women want this look, whether it is possible or not.
The key is to accept yourself as you are. Easier said than done in a lot of cases.
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*Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
I know, however, that no matter how much I work out, I will always remain on the 'fuller side'. My body just ain't meant to be thin.
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Ditto!
My thoughts exactly.
People should be happy with themselves however it should not be an excuse to let yourself bloat. I’ve seen guys and girls who are overweight and they do nothing about it. I’m sure all of us have friends who ‘want’ to look and feel better but they do nothing about it. Its is such a turn off.
I feel one should not be obsessed or crazy enough to start working towards being a supermodel but you should treat yourself with some respect. I am very body conscious myself and I have been working-out for ages now but I think I’ve only been successful in maintaining a routine because I do it for myself….not for a magazine, girls or appreciation...Your desierable criteria is really up to you.
It may be a turn-off Fayz, but those who do usually let themselves go tend to suffer from extremely low self-esteem. I see it as them giving up. As you said, people should exercise and try and do something about it rather than losing hope.
Then again, we see people who completely let themselves go after marriage cause they think they are set for life and no longer have to maintain themselves. :p
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*Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
Then again, we see people who completely let themselves go after marriage cause they think they are set for life and no longer have to maintain themselves. :p
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haha! tell me about it. All my khalas are like that...from Jesica Simpsons to Monica Lewinskys...I am surprised how come none my khaloos have committed suicide yet. :-D
my aunts are the fitness nuts
personally speaking im 45 kg and im a very small person 
im quite happy with my body except for the fact im so unhealthy, i used to work out and go swimming but since igave that up i run out breath easily
my dads tol me to start skipping to increase my stamina, sighz which means i wont even be able to crawl out of bed the next morning 
Re: Body Image in Desi girls
85 lbs is what? about 45kgs? 
man I could use you as my barbell at the gym 
take some desi ghee kay paratay every morning and you should be fine in a months time 
Re: Re: Body Image in Desi girls
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*Originally posted by zidee: *
some would call this "dysmorphic body image", a serious illness. My goodness, you are already a size 0 and 85 pounds, what is your goal?
and how do you find clothes that fit you. I actually am very similar in numbers to what you mentioned above, and I can't find clothes to wear. nothing ever fits right. and i'm trying as hard as i possibly can, to eat right, exercise and gain some weight.
I think you should consider the same.
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I understand what you mean. I think this a very natural weight range for me. I'm not trying to lose weight or working hard to maintain it (yet). I don't own a scale either. For me especially, it is a control issue and having a baby has exacerbated the problem. I am much more at ease with myself but I guess I'm never satisfied.
Re: Re: Body Image in Desi girls
85 pounds is 38 kgs!
Saima: I feel uber fat now. 
Are u sure u weigh 85 pounds? I am 5’3.5 and I weigh 95.5 lbs now. I think I should go kill myself.
But u are an inspiration to me.. maybe I will burn 500 more calories each day just to reach your weight.
^ LOL
I m 5'7 123-125lbs should I be worried according to our desi culture? :)
You must be skinny Mahnoor.
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*Originally posted by mahnoor@lahore: *
^ LOL
I m 5'7 123-125lbs should I be worried according to our desi culture? :)
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well, yes u shud be. :p because yer BMI(body mass index ) is 19.3 while mine is 16.8. Means u are fatter than me and I am worried, so u got to be worried too.
P.S: BMI = ( Weight in Pounds /
(Height in inches)^2 ) x 703
I'm fyne ;-) And girls, stop worrying. Men like a lil meat on the bones.
I'm 5'4 plus a lil more and I weigh 115 lbs and trust me, i'm very happy with it. I used to weight 100 lbs and it wasn't a pretty sight. Nothing wrong with filling up ur clothes nicely :-D
I prefer the healthy, athletic look to the skinny, starving one.
Ooh my BMI is 19.4
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*Originally posted by Femme Fatale: *
You must be skinny Mahnoor.
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not at all femme.. ask cb :p
Then you're not 5'7" :p
But honestly a 5'7" person at 125lbs sounds a littttttle underweight.