Speaking of self-acceptance (see preceding post):
One of the great benefits of social nudism is the body acceptance that comes with it: if you have any body issues, they disappear while you are participating in events with other naturists — if not longer.
It’s one of the reasons why I like to attend such events, and perhaps my slight regression yesterday (see preceding post) is because I haven’t attended a social nudism event since November (weather and illness have kept me away from my group’s events).
Yes, I have body image issues. I worry about stomach muscles that seem eager to relax — and I am determined to make them stay firm, for example.
Yes, with all that social nudism has taught me, I still worry about my body image — and about what the aging process will do to my body in time. Though, I do remind myself sometimes that I am lucky to have a healthy body . . .
Still, I accept that like so many other women, I will no doubt wrestle with body image issues for the rest of my days. And that’s one of the reasons I pose nude for artists in body acceptance workshops when asked: they empower me. They help me put my body issues aside during the sessions, because I know the artists accept me as I am. And they are grateful for my presence, and applaud my poses.
It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
But here’s the rub: even though I know the artists want people of all shapes and sizes and ages to pose for them and they don’t give a hoot about my particular shape and size (or age), I will tone my body as much as possible through exercise and such before a session. I’ll try to look my best, because I just haven’t beaten the body image issue yet.
And so for the next month and a half, I will be working my proverbial butt off to get ready for a nude modeling session in April. I know other nude models who do absolutely nothing to prepare in advance. But not me: I’ll do regular exercise workouts, and will practice various poses.
So it is.
— Jillian
Jillian Page 
Being nude does have a sense of freedom. It’s interesting to know that such groups are out in the world
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It’s especially nice on clothing-optional beaches. There is such a sense of freedom there!
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I would encourage you to treat your body well and maintain it, not for others, but for yourself and the health benefits that come from it. I, too, appreciate the benefits of social nudity, and nudity in general.
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Good advice, CS. Thank you.
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Preparation is always key to success. But I suspect you would decide to “work your butt off” at some point whether or not you had a modeling session. I know you realize how important a healthy body is.And there is always the SO! 😉😉 As important is your point about social nudism and body
acceptance. I am always amazed at how unimportant physical appearance becomes in a social nude setting!
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Very true on all counts.
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I think the ideas of looking my best and body acceptance can work together, instead of against each other. When I’m eating right, exercising right, and making good, healthy choices, I not only know it. I also see it and feel it. This creates a great understanding of what my “best” is, and as a result, I accept it and stop caring about how my best compares to anything or anyone else.
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Yes, that makes perfect sense, Jeff.
Cheers
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This is sort of a hybrid-reply to this posting, as well as the earlier posting.
Something that has always bothered me, in my near 5 years of modeling for artists, classes and groups, is the contrasts between the types of figures most often seen amongst the female models and those seen amongst the male models. At least in the area where I model, Boston, the vast majority of the female models are under 30 and usually what I would call the “swimsuit figure,” for lack of a better term. The male models are most often over 40 and the figures vary greatly, some being very fit, but many being not what would conjure the thought of “swimsuit figure,” in most people’s minds. Now, there are some female models over 40, too, and they are usually exceptional models, but most often they still fit the afore mentioned figure description.
A lot of the male models have come to modeling later in life, middle-aged or older, (sometimes considerably older,) when they say they are more comfortable with their own body acceptance. Most find modeling liberating, even confidence-building, much the way naturism is to many people. I came to modeling in my early 40’s and was surprised to find myself to be one of the younger males models in my area. Contrast this with so many women who have worked as models in their 20’s, leaving the profession as they enter more middle-aged years. Certainly, there are reasons such as starting families, pursuing other careers, etc. but most often when I discuss this with female artists they go right to the body-image issue for women as being the most likely reason.
There is some great unfairness here, no question.
I do know artists who seek-out female models who don’t have the typical model figure. These artists are usually female, themselves.
I’ve suggested figure modeling to several women who are beyond 40, some have even been past models, but I’ve yet to see a reaction that wasn’t rather dismissive. I still live with the hope that maybe I’ve planted a seed, there somewhere, and someday I’ll see one or more of these women step up onto the model stand.
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That’s interesting, and it doesn’t surprise me, actually. It’s definitely a body-image issue.
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Reblogged this on Look at Both Sides Now and commented:
Although you wrote this from a woman’s perspective, as male figure model I can relate to how feel. Thank you for expressing this for many of us fellow models.
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I am interested in nude modelling. Where can I go to try it out?
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