This survey piqued my interest on a couple of blogs so thought I’d do it myself:

Name:  Mummy (to the majority of my family :-))

Age:  27

Height:  5′1″

Weight:  10st

Do you consider yourself attractive?  Not especially, but I don’t think I’m totally unattractive either!  Occassionally I see a photo of myself and think ‘Ooh, I looked quite nice then!’ but most photos I see I think ‘Hmm…not going to win any beauty contests any time soon!’.

Do others consider you attractive?  My DH and my mum say I’m beautiful, but tehy might be biased.  Mopsy says ‘you bootiful’ after she’s brushed her hair, but that’s probably just because that’s what we say to her when we’ve brushed hers!  I expect Botticelli would have found my body attractive

What is your biggest insecurity and why?  Now?  My saggy belly - it’s not huge, but it’s a long way from being flat!

Have you/Would you consider using plastic surgery? Why or why not?  No way, not ever!  Would hate to have to have important surgery, let alone something totally unneccessary - all surgery is dangerous, not to mention flipping expensive if it’s not essential!

What is your relationship with make-up?  Wear it once or twice a year if I go to a party or wedding (and usually have to borrow it from a friend)!  I’m too lazy to wear it, and can’t really justify the expense when there are a million things I’d prefer to spend my money on.

How much money do you/think is reasonable to spend on your appearance?  Depends how much money you’ve got!  I personally find it quite offensive when people with trowel-loads of make-up on stand in front of me telling me they can’t afford new shoes for their children.  However, if you’ve got the money, then I guess it’s about choosing what treats you’d like to spend it on, and if your appearance is important to you, then by all means spend it on make up/hair products/whatever.  Personally, I’d rather spend it on chocolate or books or taking the children out somewhere or a gazillion other things.

What is your experience of dieting?  Not much…a few months after having Flopsy and after having Mopsy I kind of half-heartedly tried to eat a little less, but quickly decided I’d rather spend my time worrying about more important things.  I’ve recently had my customary ‘yuck, my body is minging’ stage after having Cotton-tail but that passed pretty quickly this time round.

Have you/ anyone you know tried any specific diet programs i.e. Lighter Life? How did that affect your health? your moods? your relationships?  I know that people seem to feel pretty miserable when they’re turning down delicious puddings that everyone else is enjoying!  Don’t really know many strict dieters.

Do you have any experiences of eating disorders i.e. either yourself or someone you know?  I am friends with someone who I know has suffered from eating issues, but not whilst I’ve known her.

Have you had negative experiences relating to your appearance and people’s reactions to it?  Flopsy said I was fat the other day, but not in a negative way…she was just describing the way I looked :-)  And my siblings have been pretty mean when we’ve been fighting as children ;-)  But other than that, not really - maybe I’m just oblivious to it all!

What about positive reactions to your body?  Well, my DH still tells me he thinks I’m gorgeous (and other lovely adjectives), and my children have all reacted positively to the milk-producing parts of my body :-) 

How has your body image and attitude changed over the years?  I used to be very happy with the way I looked, and felt that how I looked was quite important.  I was slim before I got married, and had an alright figure.  Since having children I’ve got fatter and my shape has changed.  Bits of me are flabbier and bigger (or cuddlier - depends how you look at it!) but somehow I care less.  I love that my flabby belly is flabby because it’s grown three beautiful daughters.  I love that it’s soft enough for Mopsy to enjoy stroking when she’s feeding.  I love that Flopsy finds me cuddly.  I don’t often look in a full-length mirror and feel a bit disheartened whenever I do - sometimes I can get quite upset.  But my solution to that is to not look in full length mirrors unless I’m wearing something flattering :-D!  Also, I feel at my most sexy and gorgeous when heavily pregnant - I tend to lose weight when I’m pregnant and there’s no loose flesh hanging around then either

What do you love about your body?  Apart from what my body is capable of doing and what it’s done so far…I like my lower legs.  My ankles are slim

What is your opinion on the media portrayal of women’s bodies?  Wish it would celebrate real women’s figures, particularly women whose bodies have done what they were made to do…bear children!

What would you change about the way you/ your friends/ your family/ general people see their bodies?  I think most of the people I am close to have a fairly positive body image and am desperate that my children growing up with a good body image too.

What makes you feel beautiful?  Not thinking about my physical appearance.

and just for fun… Do you shave legs/pits/upper lip moustache?  :-D  I’m afraid I do (well shave legs and armpits and wax upper lip)!  Wish it was more acceptable not to, because it’s such a pain in the bum, but I have very dark hair and my cultural conditioning has made me hate being hairy :-(