It’s a powerful thing to love your body, but for a lot of us it’s not happening often enough.
When we found out that 7 out of 10 women have an ‘I hate my body’ moment every week, it made us sad.
It’s time to change the conversation.
Let’s be proud of who we are and what we’re capable of!
With Special K we hit the streets of Auckland to give handwritten compliments to the women we found who #OwnIt.
Or, even better, we got a loved one to compliment them instead.
Hannah, 24, Barista
Hannah, 24, Barista
“I have days where I hate my love handles or I wish my jeans fit better, but generally it’s good. I’m more accepting of my body now.”
Betty, 77, Retired
Betty, 77, Retired
“I joined a chorus at 60. It ranges in age from 18 year old girls through to me. It’s about showmanship. You have to stick your chest out and say, ‘I’m just as good as them.”
Sarah, 30, Business Owner/Mum
Sarah, 30, Business Owner/Mum
“I want my daughter to know that image isn’t everything. That being intelligent, and accepting yourself for who you are is the most important message.”
Claudia, 40, Business ADM/Mum
Claudia, 40, Business ADM/Mum
“We have to be proud of our bodies. I brought my beautiful girls into the world and I love my body for that. No matter what shape it is.”
Sue (54, Student) & Lynda (51, Caterer) – Sisters
Sue (54, Student) & Lynda (51, Caterer) – Sisters
Sue (left): “Like most women, I’ve always been on a diet. But now, I’ve just changed the way I eat and the way I move. More awareness of food being medicine and how to eat properly. And change of lifestyle – less stress, more leisure time.”
Lynda (right): “I’m determined to try and stay young and active. I do some kind of exercise every day and hate it when I get the new aches and pains that come with being older. I try and really look after myself, nutrition wise.”
Leisha, 23, Barista
Leisha, 23, Barista
“You get influenced a lot by your peers. If you think too much about your body, and you try too much to be perfect, you can be a bit stressed out by it and that can make it worse. You have to be the best person that you can be, rather than trying to be someone else.”
Kerryann (28, Teacher) & Jitika (28, Teacher) – Friends
Kerryann (28, Teacher) & Jitika (28, Teacher) – Friends
Kerryann (left): “Women should compliment each other! We need to hear it. We all have self-doubts and instead of tearing each other down, we need to build each other up.”
Jitika (right): “When someone gives you a good compliment, it really does give you a boost. As much as other people’s opinions shouldn’t matter, it can be great.”
Margaret (57, IT Services) & Kathleen (26, Management Consultant) – Mother & Daughter
Margaret (57, IT Services) & Kathleen (26, Management Consultant) – Mother & Daughter
Margaret (left): My body shape has doubled since I was younger but I’m comfortable with my body. I am doing something to make myself a little bit fitter.”
Kathleen (right): “I feel the most confident about my body when I’m in active wear. I love active wear.”
Rose (52, Woman’s Wellness Consultant) and Madison (15, Student) – Mother & Daughter
Rose (52, Woman’s Wellness Consultant) & Madison (15, Student) – Mother & Daughter
Rose: “I’ve become accepting and grateful of my body. I think at 52, it’s great to be feeling like that. It’s a nice age to be and to be really enjoying life.”
Madison: “The best quality I’ve inherited from my mother is the ability to be who I am. Because she’s always who she is, and I feel like that’s who I want to be.”
Anne (57, Teacher)
Anne (57, Teacher)
“I hate it when women get negative about their bodies – but I’ve been there. I’ve done the diets and everything. But I stopped dieting 40 years ago. When you’re happy in yourself, you do things in moderation.”
Chanel, 23, Retail Assistant
Chanel, 23, Retail Assistant
“Stop looking on the outside to be happy. That’s something I learned growing up. Stop comparing yourself to other people. And don’t compare yourself to Instagram!”
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