March 10, 2010 – Size 4 March 10, 2010

After trying on over 20 dresses and still not finding anything that fit, my friend sent me a text stating that if she wore a Size 4 all her problems would be solved.

Well, there goes my happiness! All this time I’ve thought that if I wore a Size 8 again I’d be ecstatic. I felt I could be happy wearing a Size 8. Yes, Size 8 is not the Size 6 I wore before raising 3 children and reaching menopause; but, I felt certain it was an achievable goal. I have daydreams of walking into any department store and find unlimited clothing options from which to choose by simply saying “I’d like to see this in a Size 8.”

It seems that they were correct in “The Devil Wears Prada” – Size 4 is the new Size 6! How could I be so naïve as to think I could ever be happy being wearing a Size 8?!

There is a bright side to this dilemma. The next time any of the men in my house shake their heads or roll their eyes as they wonder why we of the fairer sex are never seem satisfied I can give them an answer, “Blame it on the fashion industry!”

Here’s wishing you satisfaction and many things to wear no matter what your “Size.”

Stephanie – Size Double Digits

March 2, 2010 – Memories March 2, 2010

Several days back I sat down and started writing a list of my earliest memories. Once I’d finished I went back through and eliminated a few that were recollections of stories I’d heard and not events I remembered.

I was able to compile a list of 20 memories from before the age of five. They were not always events or happenings. Some were just random memories of objects such as the old-fashioned milk cartons from school lunch when I was in kindergarten or a neighbor’s toy box that’s lid was from a surfboard. Others were of pets and people and a couple were of trips to the hospital or emergency room.

Unfortunately, very few were “happy” memories.

It leaves me to wonder if it is just where I am in my life now that leaves me unable to recollect “happy memories” or does the “bad” stuff stick with us longer.

February 25, 2010 – Declare Your Blessings February 25, 2010

The sun was out today making everything look better during this time of Seasonal Affected Disorder. Therefore, before the clouds come back and I forget, I shall write some of my blessings lest I forget again.

I declare that …
I am blessed with an obedient heart and a positive outlook on life.
I am blessed with wisdom and a clear direction for my life.
I am blessed with strength and divine protection.
I am blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, GOOD HEALTH, faith, favor and fulfillment.

I DECLARE THAT I AM TRULY BLESSED!

February 18, 2010 – Back to the Beginning February 18, 2010

After six days of penance to the annual demands of infernal revenue service followed by six more plagued with illness it is time to remind myself where I want to BEE. Therefore I shall rewind the tape recorder in my head and start again at the beginning.

From February 1, 2010 ~
I reject the voice of self-doubt that plagued my youth.
I am not catching up but am starting out on the next course of my life that begins today.
I have strength and determination to succeed at the challenges I accept.

When you fall down, off or over the edge don’t be afraid to go back to the beginning. Each week, day or even hour allows us a fresh start. If you didn’t get where you wanted, you can try a new path. Remember your intended destination and enjoy the journey!

February 17, 2010 – Be a Great Gift February 17, 2010

The bumper sticker read “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.”

Think about the best and worst gifts you have ever received. Was it wrapped in plain brown shipping paper that completely hid the wonderful mystery inside or was it be decked out in fine paper and fancy bows with nothing significant on the inside? Did it make you ask “WHAT did I do to deserve THIS?” or “What did I do to DESERVE this?” Was the gift about the giver or the receiver? Was the gift something that was given to you or was it something done for you?

Think about how those gifts made you feel. The best ones make you feel special and cherished. The worst ones make you feel unloved and unappreciated.

As we go through our day our thoughts, words and actions are our gifts to ourselves and others.

Go be a Great Gift!

February 8, 2010 – Respect Life, Starting with Your Own February 8, 2010

“To sin by silence when one should protest makes cowards out of men.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

I found this quote in my church bulletin’s weekly Respect Life section. Lincoln was speaking on the issue of slavery; I was thinking how we as women often sin against ourselves by silently suffering in the shackles we create for ourselves.

We suffer under the unrealistic demands we set for ourselves; appearance, possessions or accomplishments. We enslave ourselves to the expectations – real or imagined – of those around us. We become overwhelmed striving to meet needs of others, never thinking to take care of ourselves first. Yet when offered, we’ll turn down help from those we cherish because we’re afraid to ask them to meet the same standards we set for ourselves.

When we don’t acknowledge our own needs or wants, we deprive our loved ones of the joy that comes from service to others. When we never allow others to help us to the best of their abilities, they never learn to value all we do for them.

Maybe today the life we most need to respect is our own.

February 5, 2010 – Enjoy the Journey February 5, 2010

Weight-loss is a journey to a specific destination; therefore, we should enjoy the trip.

Imagine traveling to your vacation destination with the entire family in the car. If your driver is a road warrior who makes everyone load up and leave in the wee hours of the morning, then drives non-stop for long hours you may get there faster but to what benefit. By the time you reach your destination everyone in the car feels exhausted and irritable. You may not even be able to enjoy the first day of the awaited respite because you need time to regroup and recover from the stress of the car ride.

Now imagine that same car ride when you leave at a time closer to your daily activity schedule. You plan stops along the way that include more activity than rushing in and out of the restroom, grabbing a snack and jumping back in the car; maybe a nature hike and picnic or a quirky road side museum and sit down restaurant. You may get where you’re going a few hours later, but your vacation began as soon as you left the house. You reach your destination in far better mental and physical condition.

When we approach our weigh-loss and physical fitness like a road warrior we may arrive at our destination quickly, but we’ve made ourselves and those around us miserable.

Let’s remember to slow down, plan our adventures, both food and physical, and most importantly enjoy the food we eat and the activities we undertake.

February 4 , 2010 – Stop and Think February 4, 2010

I received a supposedly “funny” email that featured overweight/obese people shopping at Wal-Mart and made sport of the clothing these people were wearing. In most cases the photos were of women wearing clothing intended as hip, modern and fashionable. Unfortunately, this was not the image they projected. The attire would have been trashy and revealing on an underfed teenager and was completely undignified being worn by the 200+ pound women caught on camera. By the time I reached the end of the email I was not laughing, I felt mortified and angry.

Yes, we all need to accept ourselves and honor our bodies for where we are today; but, this does not mean we have to fall victim to the ideals that mainstream media portrays as fashionable and sexy. Dressing like an over sexed, underweight teenager is not the way for full-figured women to gain social acceptance or be seen as fashionable.

Are you aware that the “Average” woman in America is a size 12-14? Or that “Plus-size” fashions for women begin at size 16? These “Plus-size” women make up nearly 67% of the population.

Now closed your eyes and see if you can make this knowledge meld with the following.

-Most fashion designers don’t design women larger than a size 10.
-Plus-size models are only size 12-14.
-Major department store like Macy’s often don’t even place the few hundred square feet of retail space the spare for plus size fashions with the rest of women’s clothing; at the Cool Springs Galleria location in Franklin, TN these clothes are upstairs sandwiched between housewares and the children’s department.

The information I found does not make me feel hopeful that the polar opposites of fashion and size will meet anytime soon. I leave you with links to two very interesting articles from the LA & NY Times and an essay written by a college student. For those of you who take the time tor read them, I would be love see your comments. Please post your responses.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/fashion/MODEL.html

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/01/image/ig-size1

http://collegecandy.com/2010/01/15/stop-exploiting-plus-size-women-fashion-magazines/

February 2, 2010 – Letters February 2, 2010

Our generation has suffered a great loss with the increased use of the telephone, email and texting; we no longer appreciate the value of a written letter.

When was the last time you received a letter in the mail? I’m not talking about a birthday card, thank you card, junk mail form letter or the annual rundown included in a Christmas card. I’m talking about a handwritten letter filled with someone’s thoughts, cares and love.

When was the last time you waited in anticipation for a letter from a loved one? Felt the disappointment when it wasn’t there or the elation when it arrived?

Do you keep your emails and go back and read them when you are lonely or blue? Other than bawdy jokes and chain emails, do you share them with others?

Written letters invoke the senses. We can feel of the paper, smell the ink and recognize the handwriting.

There is great joy in reading missives from those dear to us. We draw closer to them as they share their feelings and glad tidings. The seemingly trivial and mundane takes on importance as they share with us their daily lives.

All it takes is one letter to make you understand. Try sending one this month. It will be well worth your time and effort.

February 1, 2010 – Positive Self Talk February 1, 2010

I reject the voice of self-doubt that plagued my youth.

I am not catching up but am starting out on the next course of my life that begins today.

I have strength and determination to succeed at the challenges I accept.