daviess’s BodyBlog

    A common struggle among women today is the acceptance of ones self; the desire to be happy with the reflection in the mirror, but to also be wanted and accepted physically by others. During this struggle it is hard to not give in, and to conform, to an image society shoves at you. By telling you the way you should look, or what is beautiful, sexy, or even feminine.

    In many sports women deal with body image issues. Within themselves, as well as the public eye. There is one sport that is especially filled with criticism and judgment to the body. This is bodybuilding. One purposely puts themselves upon stage to have there bodies analyzed and picked apart. For women this competition can be especially hard. And this judgment of the body does not only take hold on competition day.
    In a paper written by Marcia Ian she talks about women’s place in this sport, “In what other sport could a female competitor be expected to limit her achievement for fear of losing her proper gender?” In bodybuilding, or its counterparts, women can be marked down if they appear to “masculine”.
    One of the counterparts to women’s bodybuilding is fitness and figure. Within this category a women is to possess muscle and conditioning, but is expected to appear more feminine and less muscular. A personal journey to get to this point can be both rewarding and very challenging for the competitor. A daily struggle with ones self; as well as with the people around them, including family, friends, and the general public eye.