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what to do when you're a size 22Submitted by sweetdumpling on Tue, 06/24/2008 - 1:17pm.
i've never been a size 22. i had a little weep about it yesterday when i measured myself and looked at the numbers. it cant be too surprising, but it's still hard to see. I also stepped on the scale yesterday to learn that i'd gained 2lbs. nice. now i'm 212. thanks for listening to the ramble. if there's any other mamas wanting to do a support blog for healthy mamas that'd be cool. sweetdumpling's blog | login or register to post comments | email this page | printer friendly version
your perspective in the blog title. i was expecting something entirely different when i clicked on yours just now. i weigh around 240, am a 22/24, have been for years, and i'm happy with my fat, hot self. post-partum, i had some challenges reclaiming my positive body concept even though my body was essentially the same plus way bigger breasts and some stretch marks. i try to nourish that positive self-concept in a variety of ways, so i clicked on the title thinking there'd be some grooviness to read, but that's not what i found. to each their own, absolutely, but i'd sure have appreciated a heads-up in the title.
"if i pass for other than what i am, do you feel safer?" ~ lani ka'ahumanu dragon knows dragon i'll try to remember that in the future! i appreciate it. i totally get that you're in a different space with being a size 22, and i'm glad that you've found mamas to offer support and understanding. that rocks.
"if i pass for other than what i am, do you feel safer?" ~ lani ka'ahumanu dragon knows dragon thanx for saying something, mamaneen. you made me more aware of how other people's body image issues and comfortableness can have an affect on others, my daughter, and me. one of the reasons i love and appreciate your voice so. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860) i'm not trying to infringe on other mamas' space to work out their own stuff. i just would appreciate a heads up, so i can steer clear. negative self-talk fucks with me even when other people are doing it, and i even ask people in rl not to do it around me. and now i've typed that sentence, i realize my phrasing is a bit loaded, but i'm not sure how else to put it.
"if i pass for other than what i am, do you feel safer?" ~ lani ka'ahumanu dragon knows dragon I kept my mouth shut, because I've gotten blasted on the healthy mamas blogs for many of the posts there being really fat-negative and really UNhealthy for folks aspiring to body acceptance to read. But you managed to bring it up without coming across like a bitch, so props to you. 'Neen, I am reminded once again of just how cool you are and how I want to get to know you better. Two thumbs up. PS, we're the same size and about the same weight, from what I know! (I've stopped looking at the scale at the doctor's office.) 24/MN. Queer, veg, AP mama to DD1. some folks might disagree with this, but i think hipmama dialogues have really taught me a lot about saying my piece in a more diplomatic fashion. same to ya. the venus of willendorf is my touchstone, literally and figuratively, so if we're the same size/weight, perhaps she can offer you something, too? i grew up without a scale, so the only time i've pretty much ever been weighed is at the doctor's office - that's why my numbers are vague. i go more with how i'm feeling in my skin, and it works for me.
"if i pass for other than what i am, do you feel safer?" ~ lani ka'ahumanu dragon knows dragon I am a big girl too. I have struggled with my weight for years. I now have diabetes, thanks to my genes. I need to slim down too, I would love to be your weight loss buddy. you guys are a great help. thanks again. we should start a thread for anyone that wants it. i'll try to write every day, but having a bunch of little stragglers can make it hard! hell yeah! that's what i did, too. i totally forgot about that. when i was a size 20 and feeling like you wrote in this post, i treated myself to a new wardrobe, courtesy of target and old navy. it felt great to wear clothes that looked good on me. it made me feel better about the way i was looking. funny how the right clothes really makes a difference. i wonder if it has always been that way throughout history. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860) I think we're on the same 'all carb diet' Sounds like you are on a good track mama! The pilates rocks. I loved it when I could finally balance on my butt What a timely post. I was just thinking this morning about how I feel so gross about my body lately, and how I really should be doing something about that. I'd definitely be interested in a healthy mamas thread. Mostly, just be nice to yourself. You're hot, you're powerful, and you can do this when your body is ready. Still, we all like to feel our best at any size. So many great suggestions below. Maybe a haircut? Hair color? Couple new pieces of clothes for your wardrobe? I didn't start losing until Bugs was a year old, anytime I got really frustrated I would dye my hair or get a new outfit that made me feel super foxy. Even just buying some pretty hair clips at T*rget I second the walking for now and not being too militant about food. It keeps you active, gets you and baby some fresh air, and some alone time for you guys. I think staying active, even just walking, is a great thing. Just get your muscles moving! BleuRoo Handcrafted Sweetness JUST have your baby boy!?! on top of that you look absolutely gorgeous. After I had Bugs I gained, I didn't own a scale, but I'd say easily 15 pounds (probably more) in the first few months postpartum, that was on top of the 80 I gained while pregnant. Even being vegan, I ate more junk food than I did before. WW worked for me before (prebaby) so I am hoping it well work again, I just started. I am totally up for a healthy mamas blog! ETA~something else that makes me feel a lot better is to have healthy snacks always on hand. I'll bake a batch of muffins and freeze most so I have them if I need a snack and can't get it together to cook. popcorn is good, healthy and fast. I try to have lots of fresh fruit (though that gets expensive) This keeps me from getting too hungry and overeating at dinner, or eating something unhealthy for convenience's sake I am swisterland...switzerland? fuck it, I am swiss. I don't know, mama, but I wish I knew. Since having DS a year ago, I've gained a few pounds and now clothes that were loose while I was pregnant are tight. It could be because I went on birth control. Or it could be because I flippin love horrible food. I've always been overweight, pretty much since the 5th grade. I'm now a size 20/22, mostly a 22. I think what Lapina said is pretty right on, just making a lifestyle change, slowly introducing healthy habits into your life. When we move we will have a pool, so I'm planning on swimming everyday, or at least every other day. And walking or riding a bike regularly. I'll also be making most of our meals, where as now a lot of things are just conveinance foods. I know I shouldn't put things off until we move, but things are just so hectic right now, as I'm sure they are for most mamas no matter what. BleuRoo Handcrafted Sweetness first of all... be easy on yourself, sister, you just had a baby. and size 22 is beautiful. on a personal note, i am turned on by curvy women. the curvier the better. i like what lapina said about just observing what you eat. do that for a couple weeks. the important part of that is to write it down. memory will be fuzzy if you just observe and try to remember. its better to write it down. then, once you can see where the majority of your empty calories is coming from, cut that out of your diet as best as you can. just cut down on it at first then out it goes. i would say, high fructose corn syrup and processed foods is most people's downfall in their diet. the more whole, the better. and i must say, don't do this right now. give your body/mind/spirit at least a year to deal with postpartum before you think about what you are eating with too much energy. take the year to observe nurture and love yourself - it will help your future body endeavors. seriously, size 22 is hot. i was a size 20 after giving birth to bella. I agree, curvier women are hotter to me, too! We need a Curvy Women thread BleuRoo Handcrafted Sweetness First, I've seen pictures of you, and you are beautiful! Second, I'll second Lapina in the gentle reminder you just had a kid! Third, I will readily admit that I saw a billboard for liposuction yesterday and fantasized about vacuuming out these last few pounds that I just can't lose! I am a big fan of exercise over dieting. I also eat pretty healthfully. We avoid sweets and processed foods (avoid boxes!) like the plague - because I have no self control or will power once the food enters the home. Huge fabulous salads for lunch (a lot of work, but will pay off). OK, I know you have no money or time - so this advice might be useless - but I live for the gym - it is worth every penny to me. Do you have a YMCA (or equivalent) nearby? They have good, cheap daycare. If you can find an hour a day (get there, 25 minute work out, quick shower, get home) you'll score some alone time, get a little energy, and drop a size. I am stuck at my current weight, but I also refuse to give up beer and ice cream. so. xoxo I am in the same boat myself mamacita. I think the best thing for you to do is go look up fitday.com and really keep track of ALL the food that goes into your mouth. But don't diet yet, just observe. Then, go for a lazy walk everyday. You don't need to jump into yoga or jogging. You just need to walk around the block to start with. Then do it the next day and the next day.
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it'd be groovy to have some kinda nocal/pnw hipmama gathering sometime. i've always wanted to visit up ya'll's way.
I will PM you. And I love the idea of a curvy girlie blog.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the cultural expectation to regain a pre-pregnancy figure?
I don't want to invalidate your feelings, because I know how on my worst days those expectations can feel so real and achievable and even desirable, but really, they are not.
And it's up to us to set a new (or are they old?) expectations. Because any number, and any size, and any mama can be healthy, radiant, sexy and gorgeous.
It's true, just look around you, there are so many beautiful women walking down the street, and I promise they come in all sizes. Take time to notice them, because sometimes we need to see beauty in others before we can see the beauty in ourselves!