Diet pills, Tae-Bo, Curves, I've tried it all...and even was successful years ago when I lost nearly 40 pounds! Unfortunately, I gained it back (and then some) when I was diagnosed with Asthma 6 years ago, and those bastard doctors put me on steroids! Given the fact that I am (for the most part) very health conscious, and not to mention, am a borderline hypochondriac, I visit the doctor regularly and know that although I am overweight, I am fairly healthy.This has been an emotional roller coaster in my world, and my esteem has occasionally plummeted to all-time lows. The funny thing is that men tend to like my hips and the fact that I am...well let's say...bootylicious. And the further south I go, it is apparent that men also appreciate a woman who is "cornbread (pronounced CONEbred) fed."
Okay so now to my point (and this post will be 2-pronged)...first off, I know that I don't need a man to define me. I also know that as long as I am happy with myself it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks...so how does one get to that point?
Can one EVER get to that point when society says we should all be thin? How about the fact that you rarely see a "heavy-set" individual glorified on cosmetic commercials and/in magazines? I don't see any "big-boned" men or women as media anchors or as talk show hosts (other than of course Oprah and Ricki Lake--who struggled with their weight). It BURNS ME UP to go to plus stores...not to name any names...but Ashley Stewart and Lane Bryant and see size 8 mannequins hoisted for advertisement of their fashions...um, excuse me, how in the hell am I supposed to have an "accurate" idea of how the shit will look on me?
And do you want to know the straw that breaks the camel's back...the stupid as fuck NutraSystem commercials who advertise the woman who is a size 2 so her husband is happy...and how they do these before/after shots for these bullshit diets and surgeries and "fine print" all the fucking tummy tucks and skin tucks you have to get after shedding the weight...hell, let's be real...they don't mention it at all!!!
So what I had to do so that dieting wouldn't totally consume my life and drive me crazy, and so that eating was no longer more misery than nourishment and enjoyment...I had to find a place where I had to let go. As long as I am healthy, I cannot allow myself to succumb to this pressure and go crazy with the rest of America on the weight loss tip. And no longer do I view my size as a problem or burden, because I can drop it like it's hot like the rest of them!!!
But it STILL makes me mad, because along with the aforementioned....
There is this pressure to diet and eat healthy. Okay. The economy also sucks, and the middle class has ceased to exist...so, if you're not rich, well, you get the picture. Given that...HOW IN THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO AFFORD THE DIETS AND/THE HEALTHY FOOD?!?!? Comments on Anali's latest post alluded to this, and the more I concur with what the authors wrote, it really struck a nerve. How can I eat healthy when organic produce is like $50/lb. Lean meats are $75/lb. Low fat and "baked" snacks are double the price of the regular ones, and Splenda is $7/bag!!! Where is the motivation in that? "Yeah I am healthy as a horse, but I am broke as hell!"
Is this world insane?
In comments...additional topic items I may have missed; your diet cost cutting tips; other things that get you to that point of pisstivity; and why in the hell hasn't the Marketing & PR department from NutraSystem called me back yet?!
28 comments:
Yes, this world in insane. And the fine print always reads: results not typical. That right there tells you it's all a crock of shit. The only time you see advertisments for good old fashioned exercise programs are in the middle of the night on some cheesy infomercial. We need to get off the diet pills and wonder drinks and eat healthy and exercise. There really are no short-cuts.
Good for you for being happy with yourself. Everything else falls in line from there, always.
Oh honey you KNOW I'm right there with you! I was just, and I do mean just, ranting 'bout how in the holy hell am I supposed to eat healthy when I'm making average money?! My food tip: I normally watch the circular ads (at least, that's what they call 'em 'round these parts) for when the diet snacks/frozen food/whatever go on sale. (example: 10 for 10, 2 for 5..blah blah) and stock up on them. Sure my desk looks like I have a snacking fetish with all the 100 calorie boxes sitting around but they were on sale darnit and I had to act fast.
Also, Nutrasystem is NASTY. Do NOT waste your money. At least, that's my opinion.
Another thing, I signed up for the newsletter on hungry-girl.com. They send me emails daily and have yet to lead me wrong. I'm babbling in your comments. Forgive me.
real quick before i read your post.
gyuss is up for grabs. i know, i know. but with his roaming eyes, hands, feet, balls... oh, wait. that last one was killer. opps, my bad. lol
the last straw was his cruelty towards cyber d.
i'm just so dissapointed. *sigh, wipes tear.*
lol, you're not gonna believe this one. haha
my word verification was whengtvc.
whengyussturnedverycruel
I'm calling dibs on gyuss. I like cruel men. (cough)
Nina~You are so right...diet and exercise. Those quick fixes always leave people either sick, unhappy, or depressed...did I also mention broke???? We should immediately execute Operation Boycott Crocks of Shit!!!
Susan~I occasionally do those sales as well! Oh yeah, babbling welcome :)
Heather~I think I'm having a hard enough time keeping Dagromm in line...poor Cyber. Perhaps Susan may be interested? Do I sense you contemplating a little "dabbling with the D?" I won't hear of it! ;)
Heather~LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan~See there telopathy is something else!
*raising hands to the sky, palms up* amen, glory be!
way to rant there t. good job.
*clapping politely and nodding head in approval.*
'pisstivity' i formally reserve this word for use by the members of the female quad only.
Heather~Why thank you...your approval is always much appreciated! And I concur...the patent and/copyright for "pisstivity" is no longer pending.
Susan, I have dibs!
q, your dibs calling days are over. you cashed in your last dibs when you called dibs on fringes. and all of us girls at least, will respect that boundry. so don't be trying to peddle any wares that aren't yours to peddle.
What weight is your "happy" weight, Tera? How many pounds would you have to lose to be content? Just curious...
Fringe~I am "content" now, I had to get there, because it was emtionally draining. But I'd probably have to lose about 15-20 to be where I was a couple years back (which I lost about 10 after my relocation) and probably 30+ to be where I had tried to get before...
I guess I don't get him then. Disappointing. I'm going to go cry.
Susan, never you mind Q...I'm sure Fringe will crack that whip soon enough!
Q and Gyuss has nothing to do with Q and Fringes. Gyuss had him first and there is really nothing I can do about that.
Tera, it's easier to maintain than to lose, so if you are content and there is no health-related reason for you to lose more, you don't need any expensive "plans". Yes, junk food is cheaper than healthful foods, but don't get frustrated by that. That's an outcry from people who are looking for excuses to keep their unhealthful lifestyle. It's a mental change that you are looking for which will soon spill over into a physical change. I have a few suggestions and will be happy to share them by email.
So I was just wondering around your page and realized in your "my network" area I fall directly between Q and Fringes.
I think you have to just be you, if you are healthy and you think you are in a good place then so be it. I'm wanting to lose about 15 lbs, all of which I have gained since I moved, the stress, the fry foods, the eating on the run, 15 lbs. am working at just thinking before I eat, making better choices.
Organic food is a bee-yotch.
It's also my latest addiction... I rarely eat out anymore because nothing beats what I/my friends cook at home.
It definitely does cost more, but any food you buy and cook for yourself is cheaper than the restaurant stuff. Even if it isn't organic.
Fringes~Thanks, that would be great. I think that I am on the right track too, because I have definitely cut back tremendously on fried foods, using olive oil instead of vegetable oil on most things...drinking plenty of water, sweets in moderation (which I was never crazy about sweets to begin with), my problem is with 2 (about to be 3) jobs and all the boys activities, I can never work in a fitness plan! I am going to get it together though even if I have to dust off the old Tae-Bo tapes!
Susan~LMAO!!! That is sheer alphabetical coincidence...LOL!
Es~You're right eating on the run is not necessarily a good thing, but I don't do that much because I don't care for 90% of fast food restaurants out there! Another thing that I often fall victim to is not having enough "time" for breakfast, and that's a no-no!
Kofi~Welcome to P&P! I'm not sure that I've ever tried the organic stuff! Speaking of what you and/your friends cook, a phone conversation with Nina the other day made me wish I was her neighbor!!!
Great post and thanks for the shout out! And unfortunately your question in the end, requires us to really look at the priorities of our country and the sad answer is that yes, the world is insane. Things are not working. Our governments and leaders are not reasonable people. Citizens are not the priority of our government and probably never were. So sad...
Anali~Thanks! You are so right...so, so right.
My wife and I complain about the price (literally) of eating healthy all the time. For us it goes in waves... sometimes we have the extra cash at the end of the month for organic and sometimes we don't. When we don't - that's when we go to Burger King and try not to feel guilty about it.
Cyber~I hear you, I think that most of us do it that way! Don't you wish this economy and all would allow for a bit of consistency???
As far as eating healthy goes, I just consider that to be making a conscious effort to include fruit/vegetables in your daily diet. I don't worry about organic stuff much. People used to eat organic all of the time and life spans were a lot shorter. What does that tell you?
Dagromm~VERY good point!
tera--i can see the frustration you're going through. nina is fundamentally right: the basic "eat less, move more" is always going to be the bottom line. read labels and remember that calories are calories, no matter if they're fat or carbs or what are two things a doctor told a friend of mine who has lost weight and successfully kept it off for many, many years. organic doesn't mean less calories, it just means no artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, and no artificial enhancement. you can still eat healthily without eating organically, imho, esp. if you take advantage of local produce growers on roadside stands and markets. be patient and be strong! and if you aren't losing weight to be healthy or happy for you, then...?
Nance~Thanks for the tips! And my "healthy for the most part" means that there is the possiblity I can get off the blood pressure medicine if I can possibly shed about 10-15 lbs, not to mention, I probably wouldn't have to rely so heavily on those plus stores with the stupid mannequins...thus, my frustration!
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