Honey, Eat Like You're Pregnant
Posted by Melissa Carter at 11/23/2009 7:31 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: skinny Bert Show Q100 Melissa pregnant Bert Show eat Thanksgiving
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: skinny Bert Show Q100 Melissa pregnant Bert Show eat Thanksgiving
There was a comment made recently to my blog, "New Moon T-Shirt Giveaway," that read:
If it weren't for the fact that this gal doesn't skinny dip, she chunky dunks, I'd love the shirts. Unfortunately they wouldn't fit. Enjoy skinny winners!
It reminded me of a meeting years ago at a radio station where we were discussing station t-shirts. I complained that the shirts were too small for all of our listeners, having had to turn away women from our table at events because babydolls were all I had, and was told that the station didn't want everyone wearing their logo. They further explained to me it was the same philosophy with some clothing designers, they only want the "pretty people" advertising their brand. Mouth agape, I couldn't speak for the anger that had boiled in me.
And here we are at Thanksgiving, yes a time of reflection and Thanksgiving in theory. But what it ends up being is a day of gorging oneself into an unconscious stupor. And for women it is a constant calculation in our minds: how much did I eat, should I have the dessert, just one piece, two pieces if I don't eat a roll, I've got this lunch then dinner tonight, how many calories do cranberries have?, I don't care anymore, but I do care, I'll diet next week, I should have cleansed this week, I hate myself, no I love myself, next year I'll be in better shape......*gasp.*
I mentioned to a friend the other day how inspired I was by Gabby Sidibe, star of the movie "Precious," on what a positive body image she has in real life. In an interview I read she discussed how her large size does not hinder her mentally, and her self-image is always a positive one.
"But it's about health, Melissa," he argued. He said that he hated the bad habits the movie seemed to promote. He said fat is offensive because it results in diabetes, heart disease, and early death. I said the fact that some bony girls only eat pretzels and mustard all day to maintain their figure is not healthy, but no one seems to care since they can wear a size-nothing. Who is checking their cholesterol and vitamin intake? I don't think I changed his mind.
Imagine if I went to get a pair of jeans that are a size or 2 bigger than I am and say to myself leading up to Turkey Day, "boy I can't wait until I can fit into these!" Hang them in the closet, as inspiration for total freedom from constant personal scrutiny, as I sing, "We represent the Muffin Top Guild, the Muffin Top Guild...".
I will be mindful of future blog giveaways and not exclude anyone when possible in my prizes. And I hope we can all go into Thursday without a thought to body image, if only for one day. Honey, eat like you're pregnant and have a great Thanksgiving!
In arguments like those I usually say something similar like, "Everyone knows someone who can eat however/whatever they want, not exercise, yet remains thin. So wouldn't it stand to reason that the opposite situation exists too?"
Thin is not the same as healthy and if it were truly all about health fat wouldn't be "offensive"--laziness would be. To think you can accurately determine a person's health just by looks is dangerously false.
Fat people are aware of the fact they're fat & what the world thinks about that. We can't ever forget. I attend a lot of movie screenings (I have 2 this week) and there's usually always some sponsor (a radio/tv station, a paper/website) giving away t-shirts as prizes. I never participate b/c
1. I don't really need another t-shirt
2. I know those t-shirts won't fit me.
Really, people are afraid of being fat b/c they know how fat people are treated in our society. Social expectation is a powerful weapon. We are told & shown (daily) in so many ways that fat people are lazy, unhealthy, dumb (how'd they allow this to happen to themselves?!), undesirable, & unlovable b/c of all of this. Fat women should particularly be ashamed b/c women should be beautiful at allllllll times. And how can you be judged to be worthy if men don't love your beauty?
So, being fat, ALLOWING this to happen to them, for not stopping this horrible fate fat people are and deserve to be excluded...and the more I can exclude them the less I have to worry about being fat myself! ("just world" theory) Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels, right?
Then there's also the theory that fat people are just having way to much fun/pleasure in their food and all that wild abandon is just disgusting b/c damnit, I can't do that! I must remain thin! how dare they flaunt their pleasure in their skin.
This article by Courtney Martin probably says it better than I do
http://www.utne.com/print-article.aspx?id=14048
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As a woman who has struggled with weight since puberty, I found this entry very inspiring. I am also pregnant this Thanksgiving. I have been monitoring my weight very closely with this pregnancy, as my weight gain with my first pregnancy caused severe health problems for me.
While I will definitely enjoy Thanksgiving this year, I will try not to overindulge. The monthly weigh in at the OB is just as traumatic as the weekly weigh in at Weight Watchers. It seems that our culture's obsession with being thin spills over into the few times in life women CAN and SHOULD eat more. It's sad to say, but even as a pregnant woman, I am still guilt ridden when I step on the scale and watch the pounds increase because that's just more I have to take back off once baby gets here. Will it ever end?
PS- If Q100 starts giving out maternity T-shirts, I'd push my way to the front for one.
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Thanks Melissa! It was my girl that left that comment, and I am proud of you both!
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I really wish that women would realize that a real man does not want a woman that is shaped like a stick! Hollywood has ruined the minds of so many. I am not saying to be overweight, but having curves is the way women were intended. Stay healthy & be happy in your own skin. Being a size 0-2 in not appealing to most men. I know my husband like my round butt. I when I look @ my little flabby belly it reminds me of my two boys. I will never have the perfect stomach again & that is o.k. I am 5'3 @ 124lbs & 33yrs old & I eat what I want b/c I am active. Bottom line, having a figure is attractive, skin hanging on bones is not. Be proud of who you are flab, dimples, cottage cheese and all!!! :>
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Don’t stop blogging! It’s nice to read a sane commentary for once
http://www.babybees.com.au
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