WELLNESS AUTHOR
Aja Webber
SUMMER SELF-IMAGE n If you struggle with body image
issues, summer can be difficult, but there are ways to feel confident in your body this summer.
A
Austin, says she has struggled with body image issues in the past. “I’ve always been tiny; I’ve been a string bean for most of my life and dealt with body image issues because of that. I still do, to this day,” Thomas says. “It’s mostly from anxiety so I just try to shoo it away.” Along with body image struggles, Thomas has found it difficult to find swimsuits and clothing in her size, which can make loving her body even harder. Aside from weightfocused issues, there are other forms of body image issues that can negatively impact mental health as well. Austin curve model Tina Rich has felt confident in her body but has had insecurities surrounding her skin. “Having acne and oily skin has been a struggle,” Rich says. “But, in a way, I think my oily skin helps keep me looking youthful.”
KEVIN DEAL
lthough it might not be talked about a lot, many people struggle with body image — especially in the summer. With diet culture telling you how to get a bikini body paired with the unreliable sizing of clothing and swimsuits, summer can be a difficult time for a lot of people. Summertime means wearing less clothing to avoid overheating, but this can pose a challenge for those who have body image issues. According to the National Organization for Women (NOW), 53% of 13-year-old girls struggle with body dissatisfaction and that number rises to 78% by the time they turn 17. Muriel Williams, a licensed eating disorder counselor, explains that summer can be triggering for people with eating disorders and body image issues. “At the beginning of the year, everybody is like ‘new year, new me.’ That’s typically when everyone starts dieting and trying to get their summer body,” Williams says. “Summer months are notorious for having the most stress on people when it comes to body image.” Even models who set expectations for beauty find it hard to consistently keep a positive mindset. Meredith Thomas, a model for the Brown Modeling Agency in
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