The last show of 2022 and this week I'm wrapping up with Part 2 of the Midlife Body Confidence survey.
This survey was carried out to gauge how women over 40 really feel about their bodies and what impacts, positive or negative, may alter their body confidence, as this age group so often get left out of the equation.
Q8. Have you ever cut the label out of your clothes to hide the size?
70% said No
30% reported Yes, they had
Q9.Do you feel represented on the high street?
70% said No they didn’t feel seen
30% felt they were represented
Q10. What has the biggest impact on your body confidence? Positive or negative?
Out of 184 comments some common themes appeared-
Here are the most common issues cited that have a negative impact
· The changes to our bodies as age and still comparing it to when you were younger
· Weight gain
· Menopause symptoms
· Lack of women you can relate to on social media and advertising
· Shopping and finding clothes that suit you that make you feel good
Compared to those that created a positive impact
· Following a diverse set of people on social media and seeing bodies that look like yours
· Wearing clothes that fit well
· Caring less about what other people might think
· Changing your mindset-Accepting the changes to your body and focussing on the parts you do like
Q11. Do you criticise your body when you are with your friends?
53% Yes occasionally
29% No we’ve banned it
15% Often
3% Yes always
Q12.How comfortable are you when receiving a compliment?
44% mildly uncomfortable- they usually try and bat it off
26% were somewhat comfortable and didn’t mind
23% they loved receiving compliments
8% reported being squeamishly uncomfortable
It's clear there is still work to be done to help women In midlife and beyond feel good in their bodies, to live a fulfilled life without negative thoughts about our bodies to hold us back!
To read the Midlife Body Confidence Survey see- https://www.rachelperu.co.uk/the-midlife-body-confidence-report
Thank you to all the fabulous women who have joined me on the podcast this year, it's been a privilege to share all their stories.
Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas break and I'll be back next year!
So in the meantime...
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
(Data was collected anonymously, via google from between June and October 2022)
