Things that make you feel fat or fabulous or faux-fabulous
Not only have I been asked multiple times "So... When are you due?" (no, I'm not pregnant). But I've finally reached the LAST straw... "So... twins?" Oh my gosh! I can't take it anymore! (To be fair, I think this person was getting me mixed up with my friend, Jennifer Napier, who IS expecting twins... and looks FABULOUS...btw)!
I know it comes with the territory when you get married, so I really don't get offended. But it makes you think... and it's pretty funny... Right?!
In all seriousness, weight has always been a 'huge' struggle for me. Being a dancer, I always assumed I was too fat... to dance... to dress cute... to 'not' wear board shorts. I have to be honest, I've never been too concerned about modesty... I'm just not comfortable with my body... I don't want people to look at me. As a ballet teacher I don't want my students to develope the same issues, I want them to enjoy dancing reguardless of their body type. My concern over my appearence has definitely taken over my life at times. Starving myself for years, never going out to eat with friends and family. Looking back, I believe that my lack of nutrition has even affected the healing process after my back surgeries. I've done much better over the past two years. I actually gained weight for my wedding (odd concept). I looked and felt much better. I thought I had successfully made it through my weight issues...
... not true... Last april, I had horrible symptoms of some meds I was on, one of them...a 15- 20 lbs. weight gain in about 3-4 months. I was devestated. All my previous eating issues are back... I guess if you don't deal with the vanity and discontentment, it comes to the surface whether you weigh 100 lbs. or 150 lbs.
So I flipped through this book just for fun... and I really like it. Nothing new... but it's helped me to see that its o.k. to enjoy food, to take pleasure in the wonderful variety of flavors and textures that the Lord has provided for us. And it's o.k. to look forward to that piece of Death by Chocolate Cake once or twice a year! I've read many books (christian and not) reguarding eating disorders, but the Lord has opened my eyes to the joy I was missing out on by being so preoccupied with my weight. Anyway, I'm sure this topic hits home for many of you. What has helped or hindered a healthy diet for you? Do you enjoy mealtime or dread it? Just wondering.
Signing Out,
Feeling Fabulously French
Comments
I will have to try out that book. Look at Gluten Free Girl. I know no allergies, but really to read her descriptions of food...they are incredible!
My struggle is the opposite sort of...it is all ultimately in our heart so I guess the same. I don't like to eat. It is a waste of my time (pride)...and everything man makes is bad for you anyway so why bother. Therefore I can't seem to stay healthy and keep on weight (I look like a skeleton)...
I want to enjoy a great tasting meal and I want to be healthy. Getting there is my battle too. I have no strategy except prayer and I have read a lot on eating, nutrition etc.
Check out that book, you just might become a gourmet chef.
Love you friend! Let's eat together sometime soon.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your honesty in this post. I can definitely relate to the weight gain thing.
Things that make you feel fat #117:
Your doctor (looking at your charts) notes that your blood pressure has gone up and says: "Hmm, well you have put on 20 lbs over the past 2 years so that could have something to do with it"
Thanks doc.
I know, it's hard. Especially when you have an "ideal" clothing size in mind that you used to be. It's a daily struggle for some of us to be ok with our bodies. Too true.
Yes, let's do tea/coffee next week. I'd love to catch up.
:)
C
thanks for writing about what is, to a lot of people, a very sensitive subject.
i definitely am overly concerned with weight/appearance at times. Being around girls in tights/leotards etc all day... AND staring at yourself 9 am w/ nothing but tights and leotard... of course i am calculating every flaw and unwanted pound. but you said it.. the issue remains no matter how big or small you are...
i've enjoyed a new perspective of just striving to be healthy as oppose to be being skinny... because you know i love my mexican food.
i'd take a voluptuous Beyonce over a skinny B word any day...
I want to share what has helped our diet habits. Simple but effective...eat fresh and whole foods. I do enjoy my icecream or treat nightly for sure, but I am fine with that because it doesnt overwhelm my diet habits. I love the value of simple raw foods and because I dont eat pop tarts for breakfast and hot pockets for lunch, I have no guilt in endulgding in a tasty un-healthy treat here and there. I have learned lots of recipes for healthy treats--that are actually good :) so, I inncorporate them in there too next to my bowl of Ben and Jerry's. When its dinner or a heavy meal time, I typically dont serve super fatty or creamy foods-so theres not much dread. When things like butter/sugar are called for, Its fine because its REAL butter and unrefined sugar and not really a big deal due to the rest of our diet. Geesh-I sure hope this doesnt sound stuck-up and is helpful. Eating should be enjoyable and appreciated because of all God's great supply.-- I have heard of that book and thought it looked good. anyway-you are a great gal..Ive always liked the way you carried yourself and your fashion. More than that, you have a good sense of humor about your body change and that reviels strength-stay at it girl
Anyway, natural is the way to go... I just need some inspiration.
First off, sean and i were talking about how good it is to see you, not unhealthily skinny and enjoying life. Last time that we hung out with you guys, we felt kinda proud of you.
Weight, like with all girls has been an issue with me. Sometimes when sean tells me i am beautiful, i get angry because i think there is no way that he really thinks that when i can't even fit into the lingerie i got when we got married! Above the image thing, i know that it is most important to be healthy.
I second what ginger says, i think that raw food is a great way to go. Juicers are a great way to get them in. Also, I have been doing gluten free and i feel 90% better...
I think you look great and would way rather see you now than when you were so skinny!
One thing that I love about the gluten free girl blog is that she's totally a foodie. I believe food should be to die for AND make you feel good. She's into her food and she makes healthy food look so amazing. We've made some of her recipes...they're great. I'm working on a post about all this over at my blog...may be a few days before I get it out.
Way to go and thanks for sharing. BTW, this is always a back and forth issue for me too...I can at times be obsessed with wanting to be skinny and at other times obsessed with food. I am often fighting to let God be my all. Arrggg!
byE!
Oh, what do you mean Death by Chocolate only once or twice a YEAR? I must have treats more than once or twice a year.
Au revoir!
Thanks for your words of encouragement. You are incredibly wise. Love, Linda
i can't wait for tomorrow!!
i can't wait for tomorrow!!
www.settingcaptivesfree.com
then go to the course called "The Lord's Table" it's pure revelation! I too had the whole, "When are you due?!" question. But when Deema and I adopted 2 kittens it got worse because as gossip goes, someone overheard my mother talking about her grandkitties. From then on, the whole KPC choir thought I was on my way to having multiples!!
Let's get together sometime!
Read our family Christmas newsletter at www.caringbridge@org/va/nadia
that will catch you up to date on our lives! LOve ya!