Q&A with Sue Johanson: Sex and Body Image
SM: We can try to accept ourselves, but it can be near impossible to stop believing that your so-called flaws exist.
Sue Johanson: Stop and think about it. What can you do about a big butt? You have a big butt. You were probably born anatomically, genetically, with that as the way you’re going to be. And so it’s a question of, okay— push is coming to shove—either I’m going to go into a complete funk over my butt, exercise like mad and find that it really doesn’t work and the minute I stop exercising the flab comes back…or I could have a butt lift. It’s possible, but it’ll cost a lot of money and there could be complications. Do I really want to do that? I just think you’ve got to take a look at it and say this is the way it is.
SM: Then how do you begin to stop the cycle of self-loathing?
Sue Johanson: What I’d love females to do is stand in front of a full length mirror bare-, butt-naked, spread your arms out wide and talk to yourself. Say: “I have gorgeous arms. They are slim, they are trim, they are in good shape, they are strong. I like my arms. I have nice breasts. They may not be as big as I’d like or as small as I’d like, but they’re gorgeous. Oh, my nipples are inverted; isn’t that interesting? That will make it interesting for lovemaking and sexual stimulation. My partner can have lots of fun trying to bring the nipple out.” Stand there and look at yourself and admire yourself.
Sue Johanson: Stop and think about it. What can you do about a big butt? You have a big butt. You were probably born anatomically, genetically, with that as the way you’re going to be. And so it’s a question of, okay— push is coming to shove—either I’m going to go into a complete funk over my butt, exercise like mad and find that it really doesn’t work and the minute I stop exercising the flab comes back…or I could have a butt lift. It’s possible, but it’ll cost a lot of money and there could be complications. Do I really want to do that? I just think you’ve got to take a look at it and say this is the way it is.
SM: Then how do you begin to stop the cycle of self-loathing?
Sue Johanson: What I’d love females to do is stand in front of a full length mirror bare-, butt-naked, spread your arms out wide and talk to yourself. Say: “I have gorgeous arms. They are slim, they are trim, they are in good shape, they are strong. I like my arms. I have nice breasts. They may not be as big as I’d like or as small as I’d like, but they’re gorgeous. Oh, my nipples are inverted; isn’t that interesting? That will make it interesting for lovemaking and sexual stimulation. My partner can have lots of fun trying to bring the nipple out.” Stand there and look at yourself and admire yourself.
 COMMENT ON ARTICLE |
 FORWARD |
 |
POST THIS ARTICLE ON:
 Del.icio.us
 Digg
 Reddit
|
||
Your comments
Displaying comments 1 to 5 out of 5
| eeeeeeeee4686 | |
| sex film | |
| Jake400 | |
| OK ladies. First, guys look at gals admiring their best qualities, where women look at themselves and spot the worst quality. Second, its not what you got, its how you use it. Great looking gals can be rotten in bed; and regular woman can be fuckalious! If your guy is hard and all over you, your body can't be that bad! RJ | |
| MyOwnRules | |
|
|
|
She wasn't saying "all" models are anorexic. She's saying that looking at the ones who are anorexic it's gross.
| lauramc70 -- Los Angeles | |
|
I think it is very irresponsible for a doctor to make mean and genaralized statements by implying that all fashion models are anorexic. When I was younger I was as thin as some of these women and was that way because I have a fast metabolism which is genetic. Now at 36 and 5'7 I still only weigh 125, I eat whatever I want and exersize minimally just to stay toned. I'm not saying only very thin women should be models, why can't there be models who are all shapes and sizes like the general population? I have been accused many times of being anorexic or bulimic mostly by mean and nasty former female co-workers. But also by a very ignorant nurse in jr. high school who acted as if I had committed some kind of crime by being thin. These accusations were very hurtful to me and these women seemed to want me to have an eating disorder so they could feel good about why I was thin and about themselves. Dr. Johanson also talks meanly about how models' bodies look when they are naked. Should some of these women and girls have eating disorders they are going to extremely insecure and to talk negatively about the way they look will only make their conditions worse. Women or girls with these disorders should have our sympathy because they have an illness and should not be insulted. Mean descriptions would not be used for overweight women because it would seem insensitive. Even at my thinest, I always felt like a woman, yes a "real" woman. I always liked eating, sex, and life which Dr. Johanson says are liked by women who have flesh on their bones. I guess not by women who don't. Well she can kiss my skinny white ass! And of course a thin man would just be thought of as thin, not anorexic. Why is it that men can weigh 100 pounds or 350 pounds and do not face the same scrutiny! |
|
| Olivia -- Tucson | |
|
|
|
It's so true! I have so many friends that are afraid to really let go in bed because they're worried about what they look like.
Want to shop?
Check out all
our favorite
finds in
Shopping >>
Check out all
our favorite
finds in
Shopping >>
- Savvy Miss Feeds