I loved reading your comments about photoshopping and understanding that we each are unique and how that makes us beautiful. Please note, that ideally we would never feel the need to compare ourselves to other women, whether in magazines or real life. However, in reality we do, so I just hoped to share a new perspective to adopt when doing so. Strive towards not comparing...but when you find yourself doing so, take a moment to think objectively about those comparisons. For more reading on those topics, check out Jen's and Katie's posts as well.

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If you haven't noticed by now, I love answering sporadic questions that can provide a little glimpse into who I am. And the randomer (totally a word), the better. I enjoy answering quesions almost as much as I enjoy reading all of yours. When I saw the 25 Things game that many have already posted, I knew I wanted to get in on the action. Thanks for starting this fun Julie!

1. Where would you be able to spend hours and be happy? Anywhere I can be comfortable with a good book.
2. What’s your favorite kind of doughnut? That heavenly Dutch Monkey blueberry donut I had awhile ago. Haven't had another since, but it's the best.
   

   Blueberry Cream Divine Donut

3. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Nada. Not even my ears.
4. What is your favorite movie? Oh dear goodness. I would have to say The Labyrinth. I can't even begin to explain why it's my favorite besides it being a special bond with my sister. And Hoggle being our idol.
   

   Crazy David Bowie

5. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? my friend Angie
6. Are you still friends with the people you knew in middle school or high school? Two. My good friend Thomas who I only get to see 2x/year now that he lives in Virginia. And my friend Nikki who I am the matron of honor for in her upcoming wedding.
7. What is the last thing you ate? Leftover sausage & lentil soup. Although I'm wishing it was a Dutch Monkey Donut now.
8. What did you want to be when you grew up? a teacher or a journalist
9. Name three things that are close to you right now: water bottle, camera, and duh a computer if I'm typing.
10. What was your best subject in school? Spanish. Hence me becoming a Spanish teacher.
11. What is your favorite restaurant? You really expect me to pick?! I guess I would have to say either Cheesecake Factory or Cheeky Taqueria.
12. Any hidden talents? Would clearing a room after having lots of veggies count?
13. What is your middle name? Jordan, but it used to be Danielle...I kept my maiden name for my middle and wish I didn't. I like Danielle better now. That's more than you all cared to know I am sure.
14. What is your favorite website? seeing as all my computer time is spent blogging, I would have to say all your blogs!
15. How old were you when you had your first kiss? 14...and don't EVEN get me started on that. The dude STOLE my first kiss. It was a sneak attack and I hated every second of it.
16. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, but of course!
17. What is your favorite girl’s name? Makenzie!
18. Favorite store? right now it is either TJ Maxx, Home Goods, or Old Navy for things that fit in my budget but are still nice
19. Would you rather be a rock star or a famous athlete? Famous athlete.
20. Favorite food? Pizza! and sweet potatoes. But definitely not together.
21. What are you wearing right now? workout capris, sportsbra tank, socks, and tennis shoes - still from this morning when I didn't get to do my workout thanks to a fussy M. I cleaned a ton today instead so it all evens out.
22. What is your favorite animal? horses. I miss riding!
23. Did you graduate from college? Yep. From UGA. Summa cum laude. One flippin B kept me from doing it with a 4.0 as well. I will never forgive that English teacher. Figures I could knock out A's easily in Spanish but my one B was in English.
24. What does your last text message say? I don't remember. I am not a big texter.
25. Do you have any nicknames? Tina since my full name is Christina...and Peter has some choice ones that you probably don't want to know 😉

How much do you think the media affects your self confidence and how you perceive your body? I will admit that I didn't feel like it affected me too much. I don't really read magazines anymore or get caught up in the "who has lost weight or who looks fat" games that Hollywood plays.  But then Lisa posted this picture of Britney Spears on her blog about a week ago and my perspective on media immediately shifted.

[Source]

Imagine if whatever magazine, ad, billboard, or wherever this picture was going simply showed Britney in her natural beauty. Imagine if ALL images weren't photoshopped and we got to see the real deal. I think the self confidence of those exposed to these images (aka all of us) would improve immensely. After all, who can you relate to more of the following images?

[Source 1, Source 2, Source 3]

These are women that are considered incredibly beautiful by society. If the natural states of these women were displayed on magazine covers, I truly believe more women would feel proud of their own looks and have more confidence. Because if Madonna is beautiful and she really looks like that, then I must be pretty beautiful too. 😉

I admit to thinking I wasn't bothered by these things since I don't pay attention to them, but I obviously do. Because I was shocked at the difference between the  images. And it made me think of how many edited to perfection models and celebrities I have seen and how those shaped my own perception of my body and what it needs to look like for me to be 100% confident. These images are subliminally deteriorating our own sense of beauty one shot at a time. And since I don't foresee the media changing how they do things anytime soon, I have started working on taking notice of the real side of other women.

I really think recognizing these things has helped me appreciate my own body more. And I am doing it in a very unconventional way. How many times have you heard people tell you "don't compare yourself to others"?? It is a pretty common piece of advice when discussing ways to feel better about yourself. Well, I don't know if I agree with that anymore. I used to, but the past couple of weeks that has changed. Why? Recognizing that nobody is perfect, but we each are extremely beautiful in our own ways is incredibly empowering.

even this skinny minny has cellulite

[Source]

Be honest here. How often,  at the gym for example, do you notice other women's bodies and think "oh, she looks so good/fit/strong" or "oh I wish I had her _____"? You know we all do it at least some of the time. Even when I was at my leanest the days before my competition I still had those thoughts. It's a tough habit to break. One that will probably stop when photoshopping women to perfection stops...you know...when this happens:

[Source]

So instead of trying to overhaul something so big, I have been simply trying to alter it for the better. When I check another woman out, I will be sure I take a reality check. I will recognize maybe that she has a great butt, but maybe isn't as defined in her arms like I am. Or perhaps I notice someone that I think has really nice legs or a great flat stomach, but then when I objectively consider my body I realize it is pretty similar. Or I pay attention to the fact that the super toned chick in my Power class still has some love handles, just like me.

I want to be clear here. I am not talking about degrading and putting down other women. We have to lift each other up and support each other as the wonderful creations God has made us into. What I am proposing, is that we are realistic to the fact that none of us naturally look like the women in magazine ads. And we all have physical qualities that aren't perfect, but we also all have many qualities that others might take notice of and think are incredible, which we should as well. Also, that many of us do not have an accurate perception of our own bodies and unrealistically view other women as perfect and flawless when that is not the case. When I notice that the fellow gym goer I have been eying for her great abs is just as unique and imperfect as I am, I don't discredit her beauty. I will still say she looks awesome and I won't hone in and continue to focus on anything I realize is not as perfect as I previously thought. What does happen, however, is I continue to value her beauty but I grow to appreciate my own as well. An unconventional way of looking at things? Yes. But growing to appreciate yourself and that we are all in this together is never a bad thing in my opinion. So if recognizing her butt isn't as perky as I originally thought, helps me value my badonkadonk so be it. I will still think her abs are hot, but flaunt my junk happily now too. And maybe it will help me not be distracted by, intimidated by, or jealous of  her looks, so I can actually talk to her and get to know the beauty that really matters - the inner kind.