New Moms Bare Their Bodies In Protest

A brave group of working mothers and bloggers have decided to tackle the growing pressure women feel to snap straight back into shape after giving birth.

Baring their own post-baby bodies, seven bloggers from CT Working Moms have embraced their stomachs, in an effort to liberate other women from the unattainable cultural beauty ideals plaguing today’s ‘bounce-back’ obsessed society.

In a photo shoot they have named the Goddess Gallery, the women hope to encourage new mothers to accept, and cherish, their changing bodies despite the ever-growing ‘body after baby’ celebrity worship, and the suffocating negativity that can come with it. 

Dena Fleno, a blogger for CT Working Moms, wrote: ‘A while back, someone mentioned they were scared to click on a link to “Beyonce’s Body After Baby.” I think we all know what these headlines bring.

‘All you have to do is do a simple Google search for “body after baby” and you see these celebrities with their impossible-to-attain-their-normal-size-never-mind-their-post-preggo-size photo spread in the latest gossip mag.’ 

She continued: ‘Those women probably worked really hard to take the baby weight off and more power to them, but we average non-Victoria’s Secret models do not have the luxury of Photoshop, airbrushing, personal trainers, private chefs, nannies or several pairs of Spanx. As the wise Katie Schunk stated, “I would be in mad shape if my paycheck depended on it!”‘

So the women decided to do a photo shoot of their own, in the hope of encouraging others to embrace and accept different body images outside of the fashion industry’s ‘ideal’.

Good work ladies – at last some reality. 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Body Image Improves For Women With Support Network

by Linda Franklin

Body image is a huge priority to  women, especially young women.  That’s why it’s no surprise that eating disorders are on the rise.

More than ever the pressure is on to be thin and beautiful.  But now a new study claims that supportive families can help combat social pressures which cause women to live up to unrealistic ideals.

Findings showed that levels of emotional support affected the way participants viewed their bodies.

Those with a strong network of family and friends demonstrated a more positive outlook and were better equipped to deal with stressful situations.

Lead researcher Shannon Snapp of the University of Arizona said: ‘It is particularly important for women to develop a sense of self-worth that is not solely based on appearance, and to build resilience to pressures they may receive from family, friends and the media.’

Researchers gave 301 first-year university students questionnaires, focusing on young women who are likely to be self-conscious.

The outcomes suggested that family support and low levels of pressure to be thin are linked to the rejection of the ‘thin and beautiful’ ideal, positive views of physical appearance, and effective stress-busting strategies. 

To help young people at risk of eating disorders and negative body image, the researchers suggest that prevention programs should include ways to make them become comfortable with the multiple, and often contradictory, expectations placed on them.

Past research has shown between 25 percent and 40 per cent of U.S. students experience negative body image and eating problems.

The NHS reports that around 1 in 250 women and 1 in 2,000 men will experience anorexia nervosa at some point, while bulimia is around five times more common.

 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream.  All things are possible”.  Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Beauty Detox For One Month – Could You Do It?

 

by Linda Franklin

No, blush, lipstick, nail polish, moisturizer, eye cream, conditioner, blow dryers, perfume, plucking, shaving, waxing for one entire month. Could you do it?  

I’m not sure I could.  But one brave women did.  After she read a survey saying that two-thirds of women believe facing the world without full make-up is more stressful than a first date or a job interview. Many of the women interviewed were unable to contemplate even the most mundane tasks (sitting on a train, for example, or answering the door) without selected areas having first been dyed, tinted or plucked.

She wondered if she was one of those women???

 

 

 

 

  

Anna Pursglove, like so many women find that spending time on our appearance enhances our mood. 

Just for fun write down your list of beauty must-haves.  I know mine is longer than I thought.

Anna confesses that before embarking on her beauty detox, she had one final splurge. A session of microdermabrasion, followed by a manicure and pedicure, plus a Keratin blow-dry and eyelash extensions. Finally, she is ready to start.

She recounts that the first few days are surprisingly easy — “I’m not my usual glossy self, but nor do I look too unkempt”. By the end of week one however Anna feels like every part of her is peeling. Her lips, deprived of their regular coatings of moisturizing lipstick, are parched and her lower legs are scaly without the daily applications of rich body lotions. 

When she looks into the mirror she feels she has aged a decade, as deep lines appear — particularly around her mouth. People used to comment that she looked young for 39, she is now being asked whether she’s ill or hung over.

On the up side, the lack of plumping moisturizer has made her face look thinner and friends are wondering whether she has lost weight.

Anna says, “by week four, the attributes that I have spent my adult life emphasising — eyelashes, eyebrows, eyelids, lips — are virtually invisible at best and chapped and flaky at worst. I look child-like and aged at the same time.

As her experiment came to a close she realized that women  are highly disingenuous about the importance of their looks.  We have no problem taking a high moral stand along the ‘no woman should be judged on her looks’ lines, while simultaneously lampooning any famous female who appears in public looking unkempt.

With our constant judging of each other, we women are our own worst enemies.

The pursuit of beauty is both a joy and a curse. It is an expression of feminine sexuality and of individual taste. Yet it makes us self-conscious and competitive, eating up our time and money. It is, in many ways, an addiction — one she said enthusiastically I’ll be resuming the moment this experiment is over.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Sexual Dysfunction and Diabetes

By Dr. Jennifer Landa

Sexual dysfunction in female diabetics has only received attention within the last decade.. Nearly 40 percent of diabetic women experience some type of sexual dysfunction affecting both their desire and performance.

Unlike a man with diabetes, sexual dysfunction in diabetic females is most commonly linked to body image, depression and anxiety. In some cases, it may be attributed to more serious complications of the disease such as vascular damage, neuropathy or infections. Diabetic women who have experienced, or are also experiencing menopause, may be dealing with a dual challenge when it comes to overcoming sexual dysfunction.

Mind over Mattress

Studies have observed that women affected by diabetes have a low self-esteem and poor body image in comparison to women not affected by diabetes. This may be linked to depression and anxiety – which affects 60 percent of diabetic patients – and can literally tank your libido. Women who must wear a pump or check their blood sugar before sex may become self-conscious, reducing the likelihood that they will initiate or engage in sex. Traditional stressors that affect any woman in the bedroom – such as weight management – pile onto the reasons diabetic women experience sexual dysfunction.

The root cause of female sexual dysfunction in these cases can often be addressed with lifestyle changes and a trusted partner. A balanced diet and routine exercise are proven methods for controlling weight and improving mood.  Don’t be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about your sexual distress – some cases may be more severe and require a change in medication or additional counseling.  Don’t forget that communicating with your sexual partner can be a very effective way to alleviate the fears hindering your sexual function.

The Prescription

The most effective way to avoid sexual dysfunction related to diabetes is to properly manage the disease. Making an effort to live a healthy lifestyle and carefully monitoring your blood glucose levels will decrease your risk of neuropathy, infections and circulatory issues. You will also be among the fortunate women affected by diabetes that enjoy higher energy levels and less anxiety because they practice good diabetes management. In some cases, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be useful – adequate amounts of progesterone, testosterone and growth hormone play a role in the delicate regulation of blood glucose levels.

Women who experience vaginal dryness as part of their diabetes-related sexual dysfunction may be dealing with a hormonal imbalance. Low estrogen levels can occur in diabetic women and is a likely culprit in women who are also experiencing menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a solution that may be explored to correct this issue. If the dryness is related exclusively to diabetes, over-the-counter lubrications are also an effective choice.

There are answers, so do your research and find a doctor you trust.  Together you will find ways to rekindle the sparks of passion.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Drinking and Smoking Add Years To Your Face

By Linda Franklin

Despite all the warnings on how your lifestyle might one day show on your face, women continue to smoke, drink and consume too much sugar.  I suppose when you are out having a good time you never think that someday you will have to pay the piper. After all, there is always make-up, and Botox to help you look younger.

Thank goodness that lots of women have given up smoking, but when it comes to that extra glass of cabarnet – not so many.

I’ll bet if the women who abuse their bodies had a magic mirror that showed them what they will look like in 10 years, it might scare them in adopting better health habits.

Just imagine your face 10 years from now.  It’s bloated, blotched with broken capillaries, lots of deep set wrinkles and sags.  Now, on top of that, your teeth are yellow and stained and you have a neck that resembles a turkey.  No, it’s not pretty, but sometimes you need to imagine the worst to scare you straight.

Now, consider how much it’s going to cost you to reverse all of this damage. Broken capillaries on the cheeks would require thousands of dollars in laser treatments, then add to that teeth whitening, a little liposuction, and cosmetic surgery.  Before you know all of this is costing you barrels of money. 

Here’s how to make sure this imagined scenario doesn’t become your future reality.  STOP smoking, CUT DOWN on your alcohol and sugar consumption, DRINK lots of water, EAT lots of green vegetables, Exercise and SLAP ON a good moisturizer every day. 

The average women starts to worry about losing her looks at the age of 28.  How are you going to start helping the aging process today?

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

 

 

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Skin Cell Injections – Do They Work?

by Linda Franklin – The Real Cougar Woman

 The relentless quest for beauty means we can’t wait to hear about the next best thing. And the product generating the most buzz at the moment is Laviv.  Some think this new anti-aging wonder product will blow Botox out of the water.

The treatment — which involves re-injecting the body’s own cells into the face in a bid to eliminate wrinkles — has just been approved by the FDA and will be available in the U.S. this Fall. 

The procedure starts with a biopsy, or tissue sample, being taken from behind the ear. The cells of interest are fibroblasts, which produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid — compounds known to give skin a smooth and plump appearance.

These cells are then cultured in a lab for 90 days, and millions of new fibroblasts are created. Over the course of three sessions (spaced around five weeks apart), the fibroblasts are re-injected into the patient. The theory is that these injected fibroblasts stimulate the activity of those already in the skin, leading, after a few months, to firmer, plumper skin.

If any of this is starting to sound slightly familiar, that might be because, despite the claims, Laviv isn’t exactly new technology.  You might remember it as Isolagen, a process dubbed as ‘grow your own   Isolagen was launched in the U.S. Despite the fact that, once extracted, the cells were grown in a serum derived from cows, the process gained a reputation as ‘natural’.

The July issue of  Vogue, trumpets ‘the new trend in dermatology — grow your own filler’. But even if consumers are interested, there’s still interested in the price tag and of course reults. The data submitted to the FDA shows that six months after the final treatment, independent evaluators were asked to assess before and after photographs of patients treated either with Laviv or with a placebo.

The evaluators judged that in around 64 per cent of people treated with Laviv, they could see a difference; but then, they also saw a difference in around 36 per cent of those treated with a placebo.  And, that may not be good enough.‘Fillers such as Juvederm and Sculptra are about a tenth of the price of Laviv, and you know you’re going to get a result in every patient.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Women’s Guilt Is Undeniable – It’s Time To Free Ourselves

Women’s guilt is undeniable   We are always apologizing and feeling bad about something. Here’s a statistic that might surprise you – or maybe it won’t.  Apparently, ninety six percent of women feel guility at least once a day and sometimes as much as four times a day.  If you skipped the gym today, which I did, or you forgot to call your mother, you are probably feeling guilty right now.

Dubbed the GAT (guilty all the time) generation, the study found women beat themselves up daily about their friendships, relationships, work and body shape. It also discovered that almost half of the women interviewed were kept awake at night by guilt.

Author, Erica Jong said: ‘Show me a woman who doesn’t feel guilty and I will show you a man’.

So what topped the list of things that make us feel guilty?

 Eating the wrong foods, followed by not spending enough time with family and neglecting work.  OMG what demon do we possess that drives us to always feel bad about something.  Susan Carrell, author of Escaping Toxic Guilt, said: ‘Women feel guilt when they don’t think they are being good enough in their various roles – especially as wife, mother and daughter. ‘That’s because familial, cultural and religious tenets teach women that being “good” is the most important thing. ‘When a woman feels she is not putting another first, she quickly feels like she’s doing something bad, then guilt rushes in.’

Men are completely different animals. They tend to externalise faults. If they fail an exam it’s because “the room was too hot” while women are more likely to internalise faults and would be more likely to admit to feeling guilty because “I am stupid”’.

Guilt is useless, I think you would agree, so let’s make a pact to rid ourselves of that energy sucking demon. To break a nasty habit, like guilt, we have to replace it with a better choice.  How about pride?  Instead of beating ourselves up when things aren’t perfect, give ourselves a big hug for making the effort or taking the risk.  Let’s give ourselves permission to be human.

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The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest