Those dratted scales!

No I'm not talking about music scales,
but the dratted weighing machines

If you're anything like me, you've probably thrown out your bathroom scales years ago - they're certainly not our friends and will take great delight in belittling us and our "feelings".

But I'm talking about when you do to the Doctors, or even more importantly, if you have need to go to hospital for any reason. That might be from getting an eyelash taken from the corner of your eye, to major surgery. They will at some time during the admission process, weigh you.

Now, don't get me wrong. I realise they need to know your weight, if only for the reason of how much anaesthetic to give you, should you need surgery. But I don't like the way many nurses seem to find enjoyment in loudly repeating your weight as they take notes. It's not as though everyone in the hospital is deaf, surely.

I'm sure you can tell many stories about inconsiderate hospital staff. I've had nurses very quietly look at the scales and make a note, and I've had strident nurses bellow once if not twice my weight as they write it down. Do I sense a fiendish satisfaction in their faces as they do their best to embarrass me?

I've been caught up with the obnoxious BMI debate and I'll not go into that at the moment, but the way in which plus size women are treated by a lot of hospital and clinic staff is no longer tolerable, in my opinion. It's time for us to stand up for who and what we believe in - ourselves, and actually say what we think - without being militant or nasty, that is.

So I've composed a short letter - constructive criticism I call it - that I attach to my medical details whenever I have to change clinics, or attend hospitals for checkups and so forth. I set out the fact that I am an adult woman, larger than some and smaller than others, and that my weight is very personal. I point out that I have learned to live with my weight, and that should it be necessary for staff to check/recheck my weight, then could they please give me the courtesy of doing it quietly. That would prevent me becoming embarrassed, not by my weight but by their rudeness, and it would allow them to do their job competently and efficiently. They'd have the numbers or figures they need, and there'd be two happy people. Me and them (the nurse and the hospital).

Updating some of your favourite garments

For to our blog on getting your favourite clothes "altered" to fit your ever changing body shapes, here are a few tips.

1. Find someone who has expert knowledge and is competent in all aspects of sewing, not just hems and simple quick fix solutions.

2. Find clothes from within your own wardrobe that can be brought up to date by doing the hem, taking it in or re-shaping the shoulders. Subtle alterations can make clothes look more "fashionable".

3. Don't personally do complicated alterations unless you're confident in your skills. However even if you try and can't finish the work, hand it over to a professional.

4. Before you alter new cotton clothing or a pair of jeans, wash or dry-clean them first according to the label to allow for shrinkage.

5. When you hem, pin both legs as one leg can be shorter than the other. Get someone else to pin your clothes.

6. Look into getting something tailor made for your size and shape. It may not be as expensive as you think.

For those of us who ARE plus-size, the advice in point 6 is really wise. Too often we spend time and energy in searching for something that we have a good idea on what we really want, only to take on second best. And even then it may need alterations.

Therefore if you have nice fabric and even a pattern (not necessarily in your size), take it along and have a chat with someone who you've seen or heard recommended. Talk to them about what you'd like as far as a tailored garment to suit YOUR body and shape.

We know it sometimes takes a while to find someone who "understands" the more curvaceous figure, but a really good dressmaker is worth more than her weight in gold.

(Hints 1 through 6 copyright Knox Leader, July 20, 2010)

Fashion Make-Over

Do you have clothing in your wardrobe that you've grown out of? Or perhaps find some of them to be too big?

There's no doubt our bodies change shape over the years, and while we may not actually "lose" weight, often we will notice that our clothes don't quite fit the way they used to, or should do. Following pregnancy and the birth of a baby quite a few clothes need to be altered too, and this can help the budget especially when the garments are favourites.

While it's expensive to have your own personal dressmaker, a lot of women have taken up the challenge and now offer "alteration services". These range from sewing hems on jeans, pants, skirts as well as putting new elastic around the waistlines. However, a lot of these people actually do dressmaking and have found a valuable market in providing their services to the every-day woman who wants to upgrade her wardrobe without having to buy new clothes.

As a very proficient, qualified dressmaker said recently, "knowing someone's body and shape is the key to doing good alterations work". A good alteration expert can tell if the shoulder is dropped and the hip is high and remake garments taking into account all the important aspects of a good fitting garment.

Suggestions may range from changing a hemline by not merely following the fashion, but looking at the vertical line of their height and to judge according to the hemline, and that good tailoring makes it more fashionable. Adding darts can make all the difference from a dowdy looking garment to a smart, stylish fitted garment - even if you are plus size!

Above all, tailoring to YOUR body can better the look of the garment, making it appear superior in quality and cut.

"It doesn't have to be Chanel - it can be Target. But if it fits well, you look good and you feel good.", says Frances Le-Caria of Camberwell, Victoria.

Are there foods that turn fat into energy?

You may be surprised at some of the foods
that govern how quickly you turn calories into energy.

We know that our body uses energy and burns fat when we are doing physical activity and digesting your food, but do you also realise you continue to burn fat even while you're at rest? And there are a some foods that can actually speed up metabolism that have additional benefits.

* Grapefruit lowers insulin levels that trigger fat storage. It is also rich in fibre and your body burns extra calories breaking it down.

* Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant (EGCG) not present in black tea. It stimulates the brain and nervous system to burn more calories.

* Yoghurt contains high levels of protein and requires a lot of energy for processing.

* Almonds contain essential fatty acids which help metabolism - in moderation.

* Coffee has caffeine, which does give you a boost. Just ensure you don't exceed two or three cups a day, or you risk a host of side effects, including irritability and jitters.

* Turkey meat is protein rich, builds lean muscle and causes the body to burn extra calories.

* Apples are high in fibre, low in calories. Apples help you stay full for longer so you eat less.

* Spinach is a great source of antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, iron and vitamin C.

* Beans, low in fat and packed with protein and fibre, keep you full for ages.

* Capsicums and peppers contain capsaicin which causes the body to burn calories for hours after ingestion, pepping up the heart rate and metabolism.

* Broccoli contains a highly effective metabolism boosting team of nutrients; calcium and vitamin C.

* Oatmeal fibre takes a long time to break down, lowers your body's insulin level and speeds up your metabolism as a result.

* Soy milk is loaded with calcium, which helps boost your metabolism. (Stay away from the sweetened varieties though).

* Curry like capsicum, increases the amount of calories your body burns.

* Cinnamon helps your body metabolise sugars more effectively and maintain steadier blood sugar levels. It can also help lower your cholesterol.

This information has been provided by Nutrition Australia (www.nutritionaustralia.org)

Dressing to suit the season

OK, it's sometimes difficult to find clothes for the plus-size and shoes/boots for the wider foot.

One source of clothing that quite often gets missed is that of direct marketing. One of my personal favourites is Innovations at www.innovations.com.au


The latest catalogue has a couple of items that might take your eye. They've certainly appealed to me.

First of all, a lovely reversible cape.

The next item are warm cuddly shower proof boots.

Visit their website and have a look through their catalogue.

So just what does size zero really mean?

http://www.pro-thinspo.com/size0.html

If you've been wondering like me, just what size zero is, then I've found the answer (well half an answer) - from a reputable source.

A US size zero model is equivalent to a UK size 4. This is where things get a bit "iffy" though - some think that the UK size 4 is equivalent to a size 6 in Australia while others disagree?

Have you got any ideas?

Aiming for "perfection"!!

When is thin TOO thin!

According to Australian psychologist Professor Jane Usher, women's health expert from the University of Western Sydney, women should stop striving for so-called physical perfection because even those who have it, aren't happy.

56 models and 53 non-models were questioned by London's City University. The results showed that models felt their lives were out of their control, and that their bodies were there only aspect they have power over. This resulted in unhealthy physical obsessions and low self-esteem.

Professor Usher said, "they suffer incredible anxiety because they can't stop trying to control their bodies with dieting exercise and purging."

So here's the rub. Most of us think that models feel really good themselves. That doesn't seem to be the case after all.

(Photograph from the Internet)

Curb your cravings

The advertisement reads: "Purchase the Hoodia Weight Loss Patch" Lose your tummy in four weeks! Four weeks? Four WEEKS?

Yoiks. I'm very fond of my tummy, thank you very much. Losing it would be as Oscar Wilde said in the Importance of Being Earnest", "to lose a (tummy) may be regarded as a misfortune". (With apologies to Oscar).

These advertisements use words indiscriminately. Losing a tummy is not as simple as it sounds. There are people who unfortunately have lost theirs, through surgery or illness or as a result of accidents. This is just not funny!

And whoever thought up a weight loss patch has to be dreaming. Obviously there's a huge (excuse the pun!) lot of money to be made from gullible people buying these patches.

Then there the other ad: Lose 2-24 inches in ONE HOUR 100% satisfaction guaranteed! Free special report reveals all! Do they really think we're stupid?

Lose 2 to 14 INCHES in one hour! Obviously there's a lot more to this ad than meets the eye, but they've got you "hooked" immediately decide to go into the site and read the "revealing report"!

These people are NOT ethical! They're out to make money and that's it.

Fat Jibes

I read with interest an article dealing with "fat jibes", by authors Rebecca Puhl and Kelly Brownell, both from Yale.

It seems research has found that making people feel bad about their size and/or weight is not the way to go. It's counter-productive. There is a wide-spread belief that making people feel bad about themselves (i.e. attaching your fat photograph on the frig) is an acceptable and effective form of motivation. It isn't.

Victimisation (for that's what it is) amongst youngster creates a no-win situation for them. This type of stigma doesn't work, and most of us know some of the consequences of being treated this way.

I bet most of us can confirm derogatory comments whether in the family, amongst our (so-called) friends and at work. Think of job discrimination. Do we get the promotion without having to undergo rigorous processes when many younger and slimmer people get into the short-list quickly and easily and it's NOT always that they're better at the job. Oh no! Even physical aggression. now, this is one of those "hidden" things that go on, but most of us again, will confirm that we've been subjected to this sort of treatment. We know all this because most of us have gone through this sort of unreasonable behaviour by others.

But the article quoted: "the personal stories we've collected in our studies are heartbreaking; a mother joking in a crowded room that she takes her child to a tentmaker to buy back-to-school clothes; a doctor telling a patient that she is too fat to interest her husband sexually; a teacher announcing to a classroom that an absent child 'probably stayed home to eat'".

These stories reflect a viciousness long ago shunned in matters of race or gender. Here, though, is a perverse twist. People inflicting the stigma are often convinced they are actually helping the victim.

The authors say, "We all need to change and the first step is simple. We must recognise that weight stigma is harmful, that it may well be contributing to obesity, and that it is not legitimate."

Health care professionals including doctors and nurses, dietitians and nutritionists and others within the health arena are very often the perpetrators of this stigma.

What I found of particular interest in this article was the statement, If even the health care system is unwelcoming, where can the obese turn for help?"

Where? Well a lot of us find help and encouragement (in verbal terms) from other people who are in the same predicament as us. It's by joining forces that we can find companionship and understanding.

Honestly!

Having to do a spot of shopping, a couple of us stopped and enjoyed a cup of tea (Earl Grey of course!) at a nice little coffee/tea shop in one of the arcades that are sprinkled around our small town.

We do this regularly - it not only keeps us up to date with all our gossip, but it also enables us to share a gripe or two, while at the same time indulging in a chosen special cake to accompany our tea. We're all big girls, so there's never any problem of one or two of them attacking any of the others for spoiling ourselves with a cream cake occasionally.

Why was this morning any different? I stood at the counter casually deciding which cake to choose, when a very small, smartly dressed woman came and stood beside me. I turned and smiled. She glowered at me and said, "you shouldn't even be thinking of eating anything like that - you're so fat. You should be using your willpower"

So I did what any well-mannered, well-balanced plus-size lady would do. I looked down at my ample bust, leaned over and looked at my tummy, and turned back to her and said "Yes, you're right, I believe I AM fat. But I'm not rude to people I don't know. And might I say I certainly don't need any will power. Perhaps occasionally I might need a little bit of "wont-power" but not today. Which cake do you think I should choose? Ah yes, that beautiful fresh cream French slice. Don't you agree". She glared at me as though I had just flown in from Mars, mumbled and trotted off to a far table.

The rest of my group were seated by this time, waiting for their morning tea to arrive. The girls behind the counter were trying to hide their laughs and were in quite a twitter. After the snobby lady had left, the proprietor came across to me and said, "you know, that woman upsets so many of our customers with her rudeness and we've never been game to say anything. Thanks for saying what we've often thought and felt. You've made our day."

And yes, we all enjoyed our morning tea - VERY MUCH.

When it comes to walking down the aisle

Don't you find it astonishing that providers of plus-size clothing don't always live up to that claim?

I recently contacted a Bridal store (no, I'm not getting married! ha), but I wanted to see for myself what was being offered to young women who were planning to walk down the aisle. Their advertisements (in large print) throughout local and national newspapers and magazines said, "Are you a plus-size planning to get married?" Further in the ads I read that the collection designed by an award winning UK designer, goes from sizes 18-30.

But when I actually got to the point of asking to "see" some of the bridal gowns, I was given a beautifully presented colour brochure. Sorry, I can't imagine what a garment will look like on a curvaceous young girl/woman or even an older woman. What I want to see are some actual examples of bridal wear.

How frustrating and disappointing for the young women who eagerly walk through the doors of this boutique store in the hope they'll be able to touch and see some lovely bridal gowns, only to be given a brochure.

Is this good enough?

Did you realise?

According to the Australia Koala Foundation, www.empowher.com, 1 in 3 teenage girls have starved themselves or refused to eat in an effort to shed kilos.

It's bad enough the discrimination shown towards adults, but it's wrong, wrong, wrong, that our teens feel they HAVE to be slim, if not downright skinny, to meet the media's expectations.

In today's world when it is (supposedly) illegal to discriminate against gender, culture, faith, and disability, why is it still permitted to discriminate against the plus-size and the aging. No-one seems to be bothered about confronting this, except of course for the plus-size and the aging. And when we do say something, we're told we're whinging and whining and complaining.

I say, let's complain loudly and often. Perhaps someone with clout will stand up for us, and with us, and be counted!

* And I question this ridiculous measurement of "plus-size" or overweight or "obese" (a hateful word and should never be used against another person - it's soul destroying). None of us are identical in height, weight, width, and shape, and yet we're all supposed to fit into an "ideal". Who was it that worked out what "ideal" is? Obviously someone who thought they were the perfection upon which we should all aspire to. What nonsense.

Plus-size garments

Garments should flow over and around the body
rather than restrict and suffocate it

SERENDIPITY - PART II

Tracey E continues her "Serendipity":

"Because my body was always inclined to be fully shaped, and then overly shaped as I entered puberty, I became more withdrawn and shy. I was fearful of going to places where there were people and I was terrified of spending my life unloved.

The thought of marriage and children were high in my hopes. I had left school in my early teens, and with a determination that surprised me, I set out on a learning expedition. My inclusion with girlfriends in outings and going to the films or dances was near enough to zero. I was the odd one out - overlooked by some of the family and certainly never shown any spontaneous affection from aunts and uncles. The pretty little blond cousins were adored, but the big, brown eyed girl was not. I never gave a thought to the possibility that there may have been other reasons over which I had no control whatsoever - it always seemed to me that it as because I was stupid and/or fat.

My low self-esteem, I have now discovered to my absolute delight, was based on nothing more than negative thoughts implanted in my fertile brain at a tender young age, by people around me, including some of my family.

As I grew older I started to look at how this same attitude had effected and impacted on other women within my family, forcing them to hide behind a veil of shyness and timidity, afraid to stand up for what they thought was right, and buckling under the hard rule of the supposed "adults".

This timidity however, once released, as these women became aware of how discriminatory the attitudes of many of the family were, showed the world what a tower of strength and resilience they had become. And in tearing through the veil, they showed me quite literally and clearly, how to do likewise!"