Up in Arms
“I haven’t been naked in 15 years and I haven’t been sleeveless in 20.” – Carrie Fisher
This sentiment crystalizes our opinion of our arms perfectly. While we may think yay! I’m down ten pounds! Or WOW! I walked five miles! No amount of daily affirmation makes us want the general public or people at Target to see our arms. Really our upper arms. However if you go to purchase say a summer dress or a bathing suit they’re frustratingly sleeveless.
The problem with arms is that EVEN if you are happy with the general shape of things the arms only look good if you’re anorexic, Kelly Ripa, OR married to the President. Toned arms are some sort of banner of fitness. You may be walking your little walk and eating your little portions but your arms reveal if you’re REALLY in shape or not. Skinny arms are not even allowed – if they’re not ripped you’re really not doing enough. Quite frustrating.
In addition no matter how many girl push ups you squeeze out if you’re not watching your diet you won’t get that toned look. Arms are really unforgiving.
Here’s the question – do you you like your arms? Have they ever been toned? Or do you feel like Carrie Fisher. Today we kind of do. Here’s another question can women over 35 turn a mushy armed past into a buff future?
More than even ripped abdominal muscles sexy arms are currently on the radar as the “it” toned body part. That said you should SEE the amount of three-quarter length summer blouses we have up in here. 
I hate my arms. My kids are grossed out by my “wings”. I’ve lost a lot of weight and they look like hell.
That said, I wear sleeveless tops quite a bit these days. It’s hot out, and I’ll be darned if I let anyone else’s conception of how I should look dictate my personal comfort.
At the same time, my arms are a badge of accomplishment. At one point, those gossamer wings were filled with fat. Some day I’d like to have them fixed. They weigh me down, make finding clothing that fits a nightmare, and get caught in things (ouch!) and are often bruised underneath.
But for now… for now if people don’t want to look, they don’t have to. I’m not wearing sleeves when it’s 100 degrees! and I REFUSE to be apologetic about it.
.-= Fab Kate´s last blog ..Misconceptions – Reality =-.
I pretty much decided a while back to love everything about my body…really. It sure does feel better than the alternative. But, I will say that since I started working out with kettlebells like I love my arms even more than I did before
.-= KCLAnderson (Karen)´s last blog ..What Does Strong Look Like =-.
I think I liked my arms when I was about 17. Well, I didn’t “like” them, but didn’t care enough NOT to wear sleeveless things. Now? Blech. They’re awful. They’re flappy and some of the loose skin looks like it’s got cheese curdles underneath. i don’t think I’ll ever be happy with them, no matter what weight I’m at, because they’ll never be “normal”
We’re so glad we’re not the only ones. It seems when we go shopping EVERYONE must love there arms because every article of clothing is designed to show them. Frustrating.
We just put our pic in the “gravatar” did it work?
No.
I HATE my arms! I tried on a sleeveless dress the other day and about vomitted! I need some serious help! I am way too young to have horrible looking arms!
One of my favorite cartoons (Baby Blues) just had an episode where the kids were playing with the mom’s arm skin, ’cause it was “all stretchy and gross”. That sums up how I feel about my arms. However, since my butt no longer starts in the middle of my back, but instead down where it’s supposed to, I guess I’ll be happy that some parts of me are coming along nicely.
I love that! Look kids – silly puddy!
you and me both baby – I have the arms of a 80 year old grandmother- not so sexy
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Barry.
I saw the name of your blog post – Up in Arms : Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat? – while I was searching on the internet just a while ago. Can if I put a link back to http://doesthisblogmakeuslookfat.com/2010/07/12/up-in-arms on my website?
link away