Ever feel like eating like "other people"???

[kwormann]

Ever feel like being casual like others? I have several friends who only eat 1-2 x a day and are very thin, while I eat 5-6 mini meals and cant lose. I suppose in the long run I am lucky I CANT skip meals (Im hypoglycemic), because I might be tempted to have a diet coke instead of a meal...

anyone else ever feel the same frustration???

Kim

[SusieO]

I can totally relate. I have days when I get tired of watching portion sizes and counting WW points. And some days I don't feel like exercising, but make myself go because I know I'll be glad in the long run that I did.

Sometimes I allow myself blow-off days (or blow-off weeks) so I can regroup a little. I don't think I eat a lot more than I usually do, I just don't have to account for it. Then I grab a fresh journal and go back to tracking points.

[kwormann]

Whew....so glad to hear that! I not as good as you with exercise...I get motivated then one little thing stops me, and I cant get back on track!

I also frequently start my WW journals over...or start them anew!

Kim

[BevP]

Here's my frustration: Society wants skinny women so we put all this pressure on ourselves to "fit in" but...nature has made us great fat storage units. Back in cave days it was our ability to store fat that gave us the extra edge and kept the human race alive. Pregnant women could survive when there weren't enough wolly mamoths (sp) to go around. Unfortunately we women haven't evolved enough for grocery stores and fast food. Our bodies are still worried about the number of wolly mamoths http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif! Add the fact that we gain muscle slower than men, naturally have a slower metabolism and naturally slow that metabolism as we age and you see why I hate biological facts.

Then add the conflicting messages we are bombarded with. Next time you're at the grocery store, check the covers of the magazines. The headlines will say something about losing 10 pounds in your sleep or something silly like that while the picture and matching headline is for the luscious chocolate cupcakes you can make in 10 minutes!!

Next go to a restaurant. You have limited choices there too. You can gorge on fat with any of the yummy house specialities or have the broiled chicken breast which seems to be the only healthy choice in every restaurant in america! I don't know about any of you, but I get sick of broiled chicken breasts. Why can't restaurants give themselves the challenge of cooking healthier and tastier. I get sick of my own cooking day after day after day after.... But I know how to make it yummy and healthy while they don't (or won't). And let's not even talk about their portions which I can at least control a bit by taking half home.

Then you have the friends who you love dearly but would like to kill. My neighbor and I are both going through tough times. My response is to weigh more than I ever have in life. Hers is to start looking gaunt because she "forgets to eat". She weighs less than is actually healthy and is having to cut back on Jazzercise!

OK I've totally gone beyond the original thoughts of Kim and Susie and will get off my soapbox but thanks for letting me vent http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif.

[BarrieCov]

I was having a discussion with some folks the other day about women and body image issues. As a sidebar to what BevP said, it's interesting to notice how the *ideal* women's body type changes depending on the status of women in our society.

In the 50's, when most women were housewives and did not necessarily have economic power of their own, the ideal was a more voluptuous type e.g. Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield types.

In times where women have had more independence and economic freedom, the ideal is a skinny stick figure, as if it's a punishment for our freedom in other areas.

Just some interesting thoughts sparked by your comments above...

[This message has been edited by BarrieCov (edited 01-04-2001).]

[Gina O]

I constantly feel frustrated by others eating habits. I spent xmas with my sister whom I love dearly but considered pushing out of the car as she complained about not fitting into her size 2 jeans! Granted, she runs a lot and simply does not have time to eat while raising 3 kids alone.

I seem to have plenty of time to eat... and do so at will! I get very frustrated by the fact that if I go for a day or two eating like everyone else around me, I gain weight. It never fails. If it were as easy for me to lose five pounds as it is to gain it, everything would be just fine.

As far as body image and society goes... I spent 8 years telling myself that it did not matter how I looked. I was a good person no matter what I weighed... and at the end of those 8 years, I weighed 190 lbs. We are reading a "Healthy Living" BB for a reason. Like it or not, many of us subscribe to those "perfect" body images we see on the magazine covers to a certain extent. Yes we hate the image being projected on us, but I know that I have fallen asleep at night and secretly wished I would wake up looking like that.

I guess my only real point to this is that it is easy to say that "society" places this pseudo ideal body image on us, when often times we place it on ourselves as well. If you could wake up tomorrow and have a models body, would you refuse it? Just "food" for thought. Gina

[lindrusso]

Yes, yes, yes and yes. Almost every single one of my friends can eat, not exercise and stay very thin. Drives me crazy!!!! One of my friends fit into her jeans 3 weeks after having her baby. Another of my friends has had 3 kids and looks like she's had none.

One of my biggest challenges is to accept the fact that I CAN'T eat like everyone else and have the level of fitness that I long for. Just ain't gonna happen. So, I'm trying to leave the pity party behind (believe me, it's been very hard) and move forward. I have found that I can eat "beyond my means" without gaining weight if I make sure to exercise. However, if I have any hope of actually losing weight, I have to watch what I eat.

As a mom who stays at home, it is especially difficult. When I worked, I was busy and on my feet all day - not as much time for snacking. At home I can open that cabinet or fridge any time. So, I don't keep anything like chips or cookies around, but I also don't deprive myself. If I deprive myself that will certainly bring on the pity party and send me into binge-mode.

For the moment I am concentrating on overall fitness and not so much on losing weight. I know I will never have a "perfect" body - whatever that is - but I would like to have a leaner, more toned body - a body that makes me want to go out and buy new clothes. I'm also trying to increase my overall level of activity - I now voluntarily go out and shovel snow (I've gotten a lot of THAT kind of exercise lately) or pull the kids up the hill in the sled - things that I would have happily relegated to my husband. This sure helped me keep the holiday pounds off.

Anyway, I ramble. I'm just hoping that by shifting my focus from losing weight to being healthy that I will be better off and maybe accomplish my weight goals in the process. And don't forget - those models get tons of help from the airbrush!!!!!!

[Jessica]

I definitely get frustrated by this, but I try to concentrate on my own goals and not get upset by friends who complain their size six jeans are too loose. I recognize it is never good to rejoice in other's shortcomings, but I try to think of the things that come easily to me but are hard for other people. When I get frustrated by my lack of progress in exercise, I think of grade school and how reading and math came easily to me while some classmates struggled. I realize that I am that slow reader, only in this case I am a slow exerciser. And just like they had to sound out words, I have to take baby steps toward fitness goals. This sounds sort of silly but it does remind me that we all have gifts in different areas.

[Kerri]

Ok, I just had to weigh in on this subject. It is so hard going out with friends and they order soda and I know that I can't have that. Too many empty calories. It is really hard. Fortunately, most of my girl friends are like me, but my husband is quite the opposite. Very skinny. Eats fast food every day for lunch. Good thing I cook light dinners for him! For me, it is frustrating. I want Schlosky's for lunch, I want to sit down with a bag of potato chips or a box of cookies and not stop when I don't want anymore. It has set me back a few times. However, I take comfort in the fact that I run. I ran 5 miles last night. How many of my skinny friends can do that? In order to run like that, I realize that I have to certain things like train and eat right. So, yes, I am jealous of others, but I feel like I am getting something in return.

One more interesting thing about my husband, since he has never had to worry about his weight or tell himself that he can't have something, he usually doesn't overdo it. He eats when he is hungry and stops when he is full. He likes veggies, so he eats them. That is one area where I still have to work on. I just thought that was interesting.

[KellyGreen]

I'm one of those people that is a size four and complains about weight gain (I gained almost 10 over the last couple of months). I know it's frustrating to those a few sizes larger, but I can't wear my clothes and don't have a good self image either.

I guess my point is we're all in the same boat no matter what our size. I'm struggling to get the extra weight off and have to say the January issue of CL is a great incentive to me. I'm going to try the one month get in shape program and see if it works. I start tonight. Anyone else game for a little competition?

[Laura]

I was very thin all my life (5'8" and 120) then I hit my 30's. I am probably in better shape now then when I was in my 20's (more muscle and more stamina) but it does bother me to be carrying around an extra 20 pounds. By all counts I am thin, but I too get frustrated with people who don't exercise, don't watch what they eat and still are not only thinner, but more irritating, have more muscle tone. I have come to a similar epiphany as Lindrusso. Doesn't matter what anyone else does, my body is only going to react the way it has over the past 8 years when my metabolism basically stopped. I am focusing on the exercise right now because it is easier for me to go out run/lift/walk whatever, then cut back on calories. I hope to do better with the latter, but one thing at time. Well...speaking of exercising my kids want to go work out with me so I am off. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Pat58]

Just wanted to add a twist to this thread - when I'm eating my colorful leftovers or typical healthy fare with friends and co-workers, I often hear "I wish I could eat like Pat." Even from the "skinnies"! My answer is, "What's to wish for - what's so hard about eating a vegetable?"

Then again I often hear from people with WAY more time on their hands than me (i.e., one job, no kids, no night school) "where do you find time to cook all that natural food?" There are two sides to this coin, think about it!

[emilycat]

Pat, you said it! I've been delaying responding to this thread because there was such a whirlwind response to Kim's post, and I feel completely differently...I wasn't quite sure how to word what I wanted to say.

To be honest, I feel quite sorry for those people who eat only once or twice each day, and typical junk food or dining out fare at that...I feel very lucky to be so inspired by and interested in nutritious and such varied types of cooking...imagine how boring their diets must be. I've heard nothing but oohs and ahhs from people who've eaten my dinners and know how fascinated I am by cooking. Meshing wonderful cuisine and nutritious eating habits brings so much pleasure to my life, and I definitely wouldn't want to not care about it.

As for those people who don't exercise and eat junk and are still skinny, it'll catch up with them...either by settling on their hips or by shortening their potential life spans. Think about how many mountains you can hike, and how many miles you can traipse either running or walking, when your lethargic friends would be huffing and puffing...and to imagine never feeling as great as you do after an intense workout.

Would you really want to be like that?
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Emily

[Natasha]

Nope - I like my lifestyle and the way I eat and enjoy healthy food. I don t preach to others to change, but it works for me. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

I actually (sometimes) consider the fact that I have to try so hard to lose/not gain weight somewhat of a blesing...I am conscious of what I eat and eating healthy, unlike people who dont have a weight problem and just eat anything. Who knew an extra 10-15 lbs could actually be a "healthy" thing....

Kim

[lindrusso]

I think that what Emilycat and Pat have said makes sense, but for me it's not about wishing I could eat junk food instead of nutritious food. Sure, I wish I could indulge without paying a price, but it's more than that.

It's not that I sit here wishing I could eat cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes (well, maybe sometimes http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ). I'm pretty happy with what I eat most of the time. It's more about getting frustrated by having to watch the amounts. It's about having to count calories and take note of every little bite of food in order to be successful at losing weight. That frustrates me to no end and I am envious of those who don't have to do that.

I don't want to trade my healthy (or at least fairly healthy) lifestyle, I just wish I didn't have to work so darned hard at it!!



[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 01-05-2001).]

[SusanO]

Thought I'd add a little different perspective to the dialog. I too had given myself 'permission' to accept my body and to not be fixated on the models in the magazines, and my weight got up to over 195 lb. My husband is also one of those guys who never gave a second thought to what or how much he ate-- fast food for lunch, big servings of my southern cooking at night, a few beers thrown in to help him relax. Last July he found out he had extremely high blood pressure (210 over 100). Well, let me tell you, fear of death is a HUGE motivator to changing the way one eats and exercises. I immediately dug out all my old CL magazines, downloaded an eating program (NOT A DIET) from the American Heart Association, and got both of us good walking shoes. Six mo. later we walk 2-4 miles every day (together-- a nice bonus!), eat right, and feel better than we've felt in 15 years. His blood pressure is now normal with a combination of meds, diet, and exercise. I've lost about 40 lb, he's lost almost 50, but that really wasn't ever our goal. We both want to be around a long time, for each other and for our kids.

[kwormann]

Good for you, SusanO. My father died at 50 and I am built just like him...anohter reason to want to be healthy!

I envy you..I wish my DH and I could walk together, but he has MD...I just find ways to motivate myself (not easy!)

Kim

[Pat58]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
It's more about getting frustrated by having to watch the amounts. It's about having to count calories and take note of every little bite of food in order to be successful at losing weight. That frustrates me to no end and I am envious of those who don't have to do that.

Agreed, agreed! It would be nice to have my 1 cup of wholegrain pasta turned into just a bowl of wholegrain pasta tossed with extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, black pepper, and not have to measure how much satiny smooth olive oil I am pouring on! MMM, I'm making myself hungry ...

[BevP]

I agree that the frustration is about having to think so much about food - portion, calories, fiber. Instead of just naturally going with it.

[emilycat]

I guess I didn't really address this part of the issue...I was thinking more about being so interested (or disinterested) in nutritious food and it's preparation and exercise rather than being consumed by how much you can and can't put in your body.

I do truly envy those people who can simply eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full and seem to magically know the proper amounts without calculation. My mom has asked me on several occasions if I hope to ever be able to lead my life more peacefully, without being so absorbed by the numbers. I suppose I do, I just can't imagine not worrying about it right now. It's so scary to me not to have that control.

[meg]

hi guys...I just joined & was reading all the responses on this...just wanted to add my 2 cents!
I can honestly say that not a single day goes by without thinking about my weight...I recently lost close to 80 lbs, have kept it off for 2 years; but that doesn't seem to take away the fear in my head of gaining it all back or of thinking of myself as fat!!
It's like a continuous cycle of still gaining & losing every week...I eat a decent lunch every day & have some fruit or yogurt at night...that keeps me level; but if I go out with friends for dinner, my body holds onto 5 lbs. & my self esteem goes down down down..this just goes on and on!!! from thanksgiving until now, I have put on about 20 more lbs!! I also stopped exercising...I know I'll get back in the swing of it one of these days, but the whole weight thing is just consuming me!! anybody else have a similar problem?? thanks for letting me blab on & on!!!

[laden]

I would love to be able to eat whatever I want in the amount I want and not have to pay the price...but that plan doesn't work for me.

I've been on WW for years so it has become second nature to measure and carefully watch and plan what I eat. This works well for me. I can maintain my weight, feel great, and continue with my hobby of cooking!

I try to look at it in this way...I would rather be able to eat an entire chocolate cake and not gain weight but I can't, that is a fact. But what else is fact is that I'm healthy and happy. Watching what I eat is so easy and something I can do to make the quality of my life better. If I had an incurable disease there's really nothing that I could do.

Anyway when I look at it in this way it helps me get things into perspective.

[Natasha]

Originally posted by emilycat:
I do truly envy those people who can simply eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full and seem to magically know the proper amounts without calculation. My mom has asked me on several occasions if I hope to ever be able to lead my life more peacefully, without being so absorbed by the numbers. I suppose I do, I just can't imagine not worrying about it right now. It's so scary to me not to have that control.

Emily,

I know this is hard for you to believe, but I do think you will reach that stage - take heart! I never counted calories as such, but used to be more aware of them than I am now. Now I have a pretty good idea about the nutritional value (incl. energy) of all kinds of foods and, using this as a guide, I more or less eat whatever I want until I m not hungry anymore. I don t accurately measure portion sizes anymore or think about everything I put in my mouth. (Of course, this works because my tastebuds are conditioned to appreciate fruits and veggies more than fried foods and such, but I recall you saying you were the same way, and I m sure many others on this board are this way too.)

If you asked me how many calories I ate a day, I could only give you a fairly vague range; I would be more likely to be able to estimate the potassium, calcium, or fiber taken in! Anyway, the point of all this is to say that not counting calories does not necessarily equal weight gain, provided that you have a good handle on eating healthily and exercise adequately. And you obviously do both these things. I m sure you know all these things deep down, but this is my vote of confidence http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif .

[greta]

i went through the phase of not eating any fat, and watching everything i put into my body...aside from being unhealthy for me, this drove my friends and family CRAZY!

i now understand how my family and friends felt. i have come to the place where i can enjoy a good meal w/out thinking about calories, fat, protien, carbs, etc.
i don't envy my friends who are still in that rutt. it's just not a fun way to live.

though, i do understand having to watch what you eat when on a program such as weight watchers...a couple of my friends are on ww and we all try to plan our meals accordingly when we are cooking for eachother.

oh, and one last thing...i have NEVER just forgotten to eat!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
that concept still amazes me...

[kwormann]

Greta, I agree. I guess that was I was clumsily trying to say in the original post, I wish I didnt have to watch every bite and plan every bite...

Im not always very good with my WW points, but I have come to the point where I write everything down that I eat, so I am at least concious of my actions....

Kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[MrsReber]

Meg, you sound so very much like me. I lost about forty pounds over a period of about five years. I am deathly afraid of gaining it back, I get depressed if I put on two pounds and I cannot stop thinking of myself as the 175 pound girl that I once was.

I never used to think about the foods I ate until, at age 19, I got on a scale for a physical and was told I was 177 pounds. I literally wanted to kill myself. I had to change how I ate, not go on a diet. My family was no help on that end- endless fad diets and special foods. I wanted to know how to survive in the real world where tofu did not have to be part of every meal. I did it and I maintained it for a long time. Eat right and exercise. No diets, just healthier eating and portion control, but god do I ever hate to have to think about food and plan what I should eat.

And yes, lindrusso, what I wouldn't give to be able to eat a bag of cheeze doodles for lunch and not face the consequences! Interestingly enough, they did a survey not too long ago and asked people if they'd rather have great sex forever or be able to eat food and not ever gain weight. Guess which one of those won out??

[hhcowgirl]

At the risk of offending someone, I just cannot put off responding any longer.

I am one of those people that obsesses about everything I put in my mouth, counting calories religiously, etc. However, I am also 5' 9" and a size 4. To me, it is a trade-off. And it is definitely worth it. Instead of craving the cheez doodles, as someone mentioned above, I crave the apple, knowing that I will maintain my figure. I look at the cheez doodles as disgustuing and full of chemicals and simply not conducive to a healthy body.
This is where it may get a little offensive: I disagree with those of you who choose to "accept" a larger and possibly (I repeat possibly) unhealthier body size. My heredity is TERRIBLE, I come from a long line of sizeable women, but I simply refused to accept it. Consequently, I run every day and am meticulous about what I eat and plan to stay this way until it drives me crazy. But right now, the way that I look staves off any regret or encraoching insanity that could possibly occur.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by slknight:
When I was at my thinnest, I was about 135 to 140 and wore a size 6 or 8 (usually 8). I am only 5'5, and I'm sure to many of you that sounds quite heavy.

slknight - sorry to hear about your pregnancy - I know how hard that can be!

After reading your post I think what I actually should have said is that going by size to define fitness is actually downright pointless!

You describe yourself at your thinnest as 5'5", 135-140 and size 6 or 8. I'm 5'1" and at 140, I was a size 10, encroaching on a 12! Just goes to show how people carry their weight so differently.

[MrsReber]

That is so very true, lindrusso! I used to be a size 10 at 133 pounds, but after joining a program at my gym where they developed healthy menus for me and an exercise routine to fit my schedule, I was suddenly a size 6/8 at 133.I got down to 127 (at 5ft 4in) and many people, including my husband and brother, told me not to loose any more weight, that it was unhealthy. The thing was, I had never been healthier, I was just exchanging body fat for muscle. Looking better was only a side effect for me. The way I felt is what kept me going on the plan. And yes, we are all different shapes and sizes. The one thing they taught me at the gym is that the number on the scale doesn't mean a thing. They simply used it to calculate the body fat ratio. They also taught me that you can only do so much with your body due to genetics. Everybody carries weight differently.

Cheeze Doodles disgusting? Blasphemy!! They're made with "real cheedar" right? Good for you! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[pmmahan]

America has many bad food habits - not only are we the land of junk food, but we are way too sedentary. I studied in Europe for 6 months, and the emphasis on food is not how little you can eat or how low fat or whatever, but preparing healthy, unprocessed whole foods, and tkaing the time to enjoy them (2 hour lunch hours, anyone?). You go to a grocery store there, and there is very little "junk" (except for all the chocolate http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) - even the milk comes in quart containers, because there are no preservatives - and they don't have fat free yogurt, or any diet food.
I guess we could take a cue from the Europeans on some of their habits (except smoking, which they do rampantly)

[hhcowgirl]

I don't think the difference in American diets vs. Europeans has to do with the availability of "junk food"--I lived in England and potato chips ("crisps"), french fries, and pastries were everywhere. I think the difference is in the portion sizes--any American chain restaurant brings to the table an absurd amount of food, and it is not uncommon that I see a person at the table next to me devouring their entire plate. I once read that the Olive Garden's fettucine alfredo had something like 1600 calories in it for a whole plate--that's more than I eat in a day most of the time!

[pmmahan]

hhcowgirl-
I actually lived in England, too - but I was talking about mainland Europe - Germany, for example.
I think British eating habits can be quite bad- they DO eat a lot of fried food, and resemble american eating habits more than europe (compare a breakfast in Germany of rolls and cheese to the typical English fried breakfast- fried bread?! Yikes!)
I totally agree with you about American portion sizes - WAY too big!
But I don't want to generalize - just a comparison between cultures!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by hhcowgirl:
At the risk of offending someone, I just cannot put off responding any longer.
I am one of those people that obsesses about everything I put in my mouth, counting calories religiously, etc. However, I am also 5' 9" and a size 4. This is where it may get a little offensive: I disagree with those of you who choose to "accept" a larger and possibly (I repeat possibly) unhealthier body size. My heredity is TERRIBLE, I come from a long line of sizeable women, but I simply refused to accept it. Consequently, I run every day and am meticulous about what I eat and plan to stay this way until it drives me crazy. But right now, the way that I look staves off any regret or encraoching insanity that could possibly occur.

I don't find what you said offensive, but I think you're off the mark - I think that most people are here because they DON'T accept the extra weight!

I don't think people here are saying they'd rather be heavy and be able to eat junk food. I think they ARE saying that they don't feel the need to be model thin - that's just unrealistic and for some, plain unhealthy.

You don't have to be a size 4 to be at a healthy weight. For some of us, a size 4 just isn't in the cards - unless we wanted to drive ourselves insane, make it an all-consuming presence in our lives and constantly deprive ourselves. For me, that's not a fun way to live my life and I'd never stick to it. Therefore, I choose to shoot for a more reasonable size 6, and not have to starve myself - which is what I'd have to do given my slower metabolism these days. And that size 6 is only what's reasonable for me - for others, it may be a size 8 or 10 or whatever.

This works for me and that's the whole point - do what works for you.

Now if only I could view those Cheese Doodles as "disgusting"!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 01-09-2001).]

[kwormann]

Size isnt always the way to see things., I am only 5'1", with a curvy medium build.I currently weigh 132, but would like to be at 120. (which is probably a size 8 at Ann Taylor Loft, my favorite). I look back on pictures of me when I was 110 lbs and a size 4, and I look too skinny and unhealthy. ALso, to maintain that, I was eating carrots and peanut butter, and little else I was also weighing myself several times a day. Granted, when I gained all that weight, it wasnt healthy either, but now that I have lost some (not as much as I would have liked), I am atl least just "overweight slightly" by dr.'s standards and not afraid of food.. I also eat a fairly balanced diet and exercise (portion control is my enemy). The moral of this long story..... There are many ways of being healthy and unhealthy......

p.s. I agree, if we didnt want to be healthy, we wouldnt be here. everyone is different and has different ways of dealing with stress and different levels of will power....I wish I could be as "good" as some, but it doesnt mean I am a bad person, or unworthy, which is how some people see it!

[slknight]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
You don't have to be a size 4 to be at a healthy weight. For some of us, a size 4 just isn't in the cards - unless we wanted to drive ourselves insane, make it an all-consuming presence in our lives and constantly deprive ourselves. For me, that's not a fun way to live my life and I'd never stick to it. Therefore, I choose to shoot for a more reasonable size 6, and not have to starve myself - which is what I'd have to do given my slower metabolism these days. And that size 6 is only what's reasonable for me - for others, it may be a size 8 or 10 or whatever.



Thank you lindrusso for saying what I wanted to say. I think it's important for all of us to remember that we all come in different shapes and sizes.

When I was at my thinnest, I was about 135 to 140 and wore a size 6 or 8 (usually 8). I am only 5'5, and I'm sure to many of you that sounds quite heavy. However, I was very muscular, in great shape, and MANY MANY people said I was much too thin. I was also VERY obsessive about it.

Now unfortunately I am in a much different state. I have gained alot more weight than I am currently comfortable with for a variety of reasons. One of which was a pregnancy which I lost at 10 weeks. I would like to get back to a size 10, but I don't strive to be as thin as I was at my thinnest point. For me, that is not healthy. It's not that I'm "accepting" a larger body size - I hardly find a 10 to be obese. It's just that that is what size is good for my frame, is not too thin, and can probably be realistically maintained.

For those of you who think that you must be a size 2 or 4 to be fit or "good," I'd like to add that when I was a size 10 I was world-ranked in swimming. I would not trade my experiences at olympic trials for being a size 2. For me that would be unhealthy, abnormal, and not conducive (for me) to swimming fast.




[This message has been edited by slknight (edited 01-09-2001).]

[Natasha]

Wow. I hadn t read the past several posts on this thread, and just saw them now. Interesting discussion.

Slknight, three unrelated points about your post:

1. Bravo. I completely agree with what you said about people coming in different sizes and shapes, etc., and how accepting this is not accepting failure or an unhealthy condition.
2. I m so sorry to hear about your pregnancy. Hang in there.
3. Congratulations on your swimming accomplishments. You must have some incredible memories and friendships from your years of swimming at such a level.

Natasha

[food girl]

All I can say is WOW! Great thoughts and ideas posted here!

So of course, here is my soapbox:

How many women in this country are unhappy with thier weight due to all of the things mentioned here? Millions?

So if restaurants serve boring, high fat foods in big portions? Don't go there! Don't let your family go there! Millions of women quit going to Applebees? They will have to change - not us!

Lobby your local government for safe, well-lit parks, better sidewalks, bike paths and all those things that enable us to walk or bike where we want to go instead of taking the car.

Pitch a fit at the next PTA meeting about coke machines in schools. (hint compare the number of overweight kids in your children's class versus the overweight kids in your own class photos)

Don't you dare buy a magazine with a thin model on the front!!

If we continue to "buy" the stuff, they will just make more of it.


Lisa

[Gina O]

Woo hoo Lisa! My sentiments exactly. I think as a society we have become very disinfranchised when it comes to using our dollars and words to make a point. We spend a lot of time complaining about the state of things (poor food choices and lousy service in restaurants, non-exsistant service in retail shops, non-responsive elected officials) but, at least for me, rarely take action.

One of my pseudo "new years" goals is to take action... I will say I ONLY go to Applebee's when it is a work obligation (rarely) and NEVER go to Olive Garden. I do not buy anything made by Nike. Those are the easy things though... the hard things are not shopping at the big department stores that to find a sales person would be like discovering a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, and not returning to a particular restaurant that had lousy service, but great food.

Anyway, this is a long way to go to say that I know I for one need reminders to use my power to make my point! Thanks Lisa, Gina

PS I worked as a lobbyist in my state capital for 2 years.... your letters and phone calls REALLY do make a huge difference.

[BevP]

Lisa, Gina, count me in. I agree wholeheartedly. To get anything in this country (America) to change you have to hit them in the wallet. It's all we respond to. I, too, am sick of restaurants who don't offer any real healthy choices. I'm tired of schools offering fast food and other high fat choices, and again, not offering tasty healthy choices. And don't even get me started on service from any business (including CL right now).