Plus Size in the Eye of the Beholder

Day 240,


As a plus size gal, my shopping choices are limited. There's Lane Bryant (I affectionately refer to her as "the Giant"), Catherines (old lady clothes), and The Avenue (crap) on the regular retail front. Then there are some higher end internet options like Igigi and Kyonnna, both of which have awesome clothes that I can't normally bring myself to spend money on. $150 for a dress is more than I can stomach...

Anyway, I am constantly "floored" by what people consider to be a "plus sized" woman. Take this picture for instance.

If this is what Plus size really means, then sign me up. This woman is beautiful and not at all overweight.


What does it say about our society when we tell women that if they are this size, it means they are fat?!?! Look at the definition in this woman's arms? She is fit. Now if only my chest would stay in that position when I lie down.... Alas... she's probably 23 and I'm 43 so without some duct tape and a harness, it's not likely to happen.


Kidding aside, If I can come close to achieving this shape, I  (AND my husband) will be jumping for joy.


I can count on one hand the number of people I know who are a size 2. They are beautiful women. But, they are not the norm. Granted, an inordinate number of Americans are obese. But, if you look at what a healthy weight/BMI is for a woman, she would come closer to looking like the picture above, NOT the picture below:

Don't get me wrong, this gal is beautiful. But, about 1% of the population looks like her. Perhaps that's the point. I'm sure the men who read my blog would agree that both women are beautiful and neither of them are fat. Personally, I think model number two is too skinny. But, that could just be jealousy talking. For all I know, she has to fight like hell to stay above a hundred pounds. (I do have friends that have trouble keeping weight ON. Seriously. I guess we all have our crosses to bear.)


I guess I've gone off on a bit of a tangent today. But, I couldn't help myself. I got an email from Lane Bryant and I was struck by how "un-plus" size the model on the advertisement is. On the one hand, she gives me a real shape to aspire to. But, on the other, it's just a sad commentary about the world we live in when we tell this gorgeous lady that she's too fat to be a "real" model. But, that it's ok for her to model "plus" size clothing.


On to other news... Yesterday was MUCH better on the food front. I ate:
Breakfast: Myoplex
Lunch: 1/2 of a Totinos Pizza
Dinner: 1 serving Bumble Bee Tuna; 1 tbls light mayo; 1 salad pocket and a serving of pretzels
Snack: 1: 1 oz roasted, unsalted cashews
Snack 2: Toast Chee Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Crackers.

The Daily Tally was: 1428 calories; 42% Carbs; 36% fat; 22% Protein

I nearly screwed it up today. But, I caught myself. It's been raining here at "Camp Gitty Up". We didn't eat breakfast because no one wanted to deal with the mess. By the time we hit Walmart it was around 11 and we were both starving. Walmart has a McDonalds in it. DANGER DANGER DANGER...

I bellied up to the counter and ordered my trusty #3 with no onions, no ketchup and diet coke to drink. When my food came I realized that "their" #3 was different than the #3 I usually order. It was a DOUBLE quarter pounder. So, I ate 1/2 of it and about a 1/3 of the fries. Crisis averted. I left 372 calories on the table yesterday and we're having a very healthy Cajun Shrimp Stir Fry for dinner tonight. I plan to indulge in the nectar of the Gods tonight ... also known as Michelob Ultra... But, I will keep it reasonable (maybe).

Cheers!
Margaret

Beginning Weight: 259
Current Weight: 232