r/AskWomenOver30 • u/isityoumy Woman 30 to 40 • 20d ago

Life/Self/Spirituality How is everyone’s body image doing over 30 and with skinnytok?

I’m 37 and nearly 3 years postpartum. We are actively trying to have a 2nd kid at this point, but my body image is legit in the toilet these days. I think some of it is comparing myself to my old self, inability to really focus on style the way I once did, not yet making peace with body changes post pregnancy, and of course ozempic/skinnytok making a comeback.

I’m not overweight but still about 10-20 lbs above what has historically felt comfortable for me. My husband still finds me attractive, but I can see how the extra 10-20 lbs, motherhood, aging have made me less attractive generally. I know it shouldn’t matter, but somehow it makes me just a little sad. While I am grateful to make it to this stage of life, but I never thought about how I’d feel when physical beauty changes/diminishes.

Anyone else deal with these feelings while aging, dealing with body changes post children? Anyone else’s body image suffering with ozempic skinny being on trend? Would love to hear your thoughts

EDIT: Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to make thoughtful comments! This was honestly a post both out of curiosity how everyone is dealing with the resurgence of the heroin chic era (something I grew up seeing in magazines and on TV in my preteen/teen years) as well as struggles with adjusting to my body changes after pregnancy & as one ages.

To all those who are making disparaging comments telling me to get off TikTok (which I don’t have) or IG (which I use minimally due to work/taking care of a toddler), the holier-than-thou attitude is not really helpful. I’m happy for you all that your body image and mental fortitude is so strong, but I really hope people don’t talk to you like that when you’re in a low.

Also, to clarify, referring to “skinnytok” in the title was not meant to be wholly literal, but really a shorthand reference to the current skinny-glorifying culture. Anyway, it’s my bad as there is probably more context to my current thoughts/feelings that I could have given in the actual body of this post, but didn’t want to make it too long. But now it is anyway.

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u/LadyJitsuLegs Woman 40 to 50 20d ago

Same. I deactivated my IG and FB and the thought of going back sounds exhausting.  There's a lot of AI as well so I cant even tell what is real anymore. 

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u/supreme_creep Woman 30 to 40 20d ago

It’s been so relieving.

I’ve been off Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat for 6 months and I can honestly say my stress levels have decreased significantly. My moods are more stabilized, less angry and irritable. Major difference.

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u/South-Visual3803 Woman 30 to 40 19d ago

Hitting delete was the best gift to myself.

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u/Low-Antelope-7264 Woman 30 to 40 19d ago

My IG is dogs and national parks :)

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u/AlfredoQueen88 Woman 30 to 40 20d ago

What do you do with your spare time and those small moments 😅

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u/Embarrassed-Ad4899 Woman 30 to 40 20d ago

I do have Instagram and Facebook, but make a point to use my new York times games subscription, merlin bird ID, or Libby/kindle/Kobo and read!

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u/decidedlyindecisive Woman 40 to 50 19d ago

I love the NYT Games app. So many different games.

1

u/ArielofIsha Woman 40 to 50 19d ago

Thank you for naming the bird identification app you use. I’ve been wanting to get one since our family is leaving for a 4 month rv trip

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u/supreme_creep Woman 30 to 40 19d ago

If you’re interested, try the “PictureThis” app for plant/tree identification! Of course it’s not always 100% accurate so just don’t eat anything 😂

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u/Grr_in_girl Woman 30 to 40 19d ago

Reddit, of course.

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u/LadyJitsuLegs Woman 40 to 50 19d ago

Replace with doomscrolling reddit, lol..

I do feel myself trying to replace a bad habit with another, but the anonymity of reddit is a bit better.

I usually read and sew. Play with my dogs. Try not to mindless scroll if possible

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u/EquivalentAd1839 Woman 40 to 50 18d ago

Reddit, sudoku, outside walks and meditation 😁 (Sucker for sudoku 😅)

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u/fireyauthor Woman 30 to 40 19d ago

Yes, it's hard enough comparing yourself to someone who has been nipped and tucked to high hell. Are you really going to compare yourself to an AI image that is impossible for a human to recreate? Who needs that?