The Content of Our Character...Unless Our Character is Inside a Fat Body

What is the message behind, Maggie Goes on a Diet?

The children's book, Maggie Goes on a Diet, according to the book's summary:
Maggie has so much potential that has been hiding under her extra weight. This inspiring story is about a 14-year-old who goes on a diet and is transformed from being overweight and insecure to a normal sized teen who becomes the school soccer star. Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self-image. 

And, did I mention that the reading level for this book has been determined to be ages 4-8, and that the book is written in rhyme?

Kramer is not without his supporters, including Fox News contributing psychiatrist Keith Ablow, who commends Maggie for "taking charge of her nutritional status, her weight and her life. I think she's a fabulous role model — far better than the size 20 women who go on talk shows and lie about how happy they are with their bodies."

(http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/25/will-fat-kids-become-popular-if-they-go-on-a-diet-maggie-goes-on-a-diet-makes-the-case/#ixzz1YYLIp3cm)

Really?! I didn't know a certain clothing size automatically equated you with being a good role model. Matter of fact, I didn't know there were certain clothing sizes that equated to terrible role models.  Why can't a woman be a size 20, and be happy with her body? Be happy period! Who is he to say what happy is?!

I think the comments that this man made, in support of this book, only help to add to the red flags of why this book should not be made available to children.  This man is a psychiatrist, and he is simply missing the boat on this one. He should be able to see what type of harm and despair this book has the potential to cause. 

But, even though he should be able to see that, doesn't mean that he does.  He is basing what a good role model is on the size of the clothes they wear.  How blind is that.

A Fat Tax?! Big Sexy on TLC

TLC has a show called Big Sexy. It chronicles the lives of 5 plus size women in their pursuit of their fashion dreams, from model to clothing designer in the big, mean streets of New York City.  In one particular episode, the women are waiting to get into a club. In the clip, you can see the bouncer letting in smaller girls ahead of the plus size women.  The bouncer keeps allowing the tiny women to cut in front of the plus size women, as they patiently stand by.  Finally, they ask the bounder if they can go in, and the bouncer replies, "It will cost you $30, each."  The women, I am proud to say, do not apologetically pay that horrid man the "hush money," so that they can slink into the club.  Instead, heads held high, they walk away from the club, a little worse for wear, but certainly not lacking in integrity, strength, or style.  I am very proud of these women. 

Taking this example from club to corporation, how many times are plus size women overlooked for promotions in the workforce because of their size, rather than their qualifications? Plus size women are paid less than their smaller counterparts, solely because of their size.  From an article on Shine, "Obese women earn about 6 percent less than thinner women for doing exactly the same work", according to Rebecca Puhl, PhD, director of research at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University. "We're observing this around a BMI of 27 in women," she says, referring to a "body mass index" that would, for example, describe a 5 foot-5 inch person weighing 162 pounds.  I do not feel that a BMI of 27 accurately reflects the average size Amercian woman today, which is a size 14.  How dare employers equate dress size to the amount of pay, rather than qualifications.

These are only the instances that have been documented.  How many times has a boss not articulate that they will not hire you, but you could feel it, because you were fat? How many times are you overlooked for a promotion because of how you look? I am guessing more times than we know, and that is just not right.

I got 5! 5 Must haves for the Fall!

We are now on the coattails of the summer and heading into my favorite season! Fall! I love everything about it! The colors, the smells, the food, and of course, the clothes! Here are 5 essentials that are a must for Fall:

Berry Shades

http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-new-arrivals?linkid=topmenu&p=1
Animal Print

http://www.torrid.com/

http://www.monfic.com/

Bold Seperates/Dresses

http://www.igigi.com/

http://www.babyphat.com/

Denim/Leggings

James Jeans

Not Your Daughter's Jeans

http://shop.norstrom.com/

Convertable/Wrap Dress

http://www.macys.com/

convertable dress http://www.monifc.com/

Igigi Me!

Ladies! No longer do we have to hide in dowdy, tent-like monstrosities! No more being grateful for finding something, anything that fits! With Igigi, we are able to find many things that fit perfectly, and allow us to show off our assets!

Igigi, by Yuliya Raquel, is true to its slogan! Her clothes are sexy and sophisticated and she offers her clothing in sizes 12-32.  Her line consists of wedding attire, dresses, separates, and accessories! How refreshing to find someone who believes in offering quality, beautiful clothing! Another great trait about Igigi, is that these clothes are designed for different body types.  Just click on the item, and it will show what body types it fits best.  They offer 7 different body types to choose from, with helpful descriptions to help you figure out which body type you are.  Igigi is a breathe of fresh air! Now, the only problem you will have is deciding on which dress to wear!

Thick thoughts...bumper stickers..really?!?!?

Today, I was driving behind a BMW.  Ironically, the BMW had quite a few bumper stickers on it.  The one that caught my eye was, "I love my BMW, No FAT chicks!" Really? That's what you're going to put on your car? The man kept looking in his side mirror...perhaps he was starting to feel the laser death rays shooting from my eyes, perhaps.  After sharing this incident, my good friend suggested that I look for it on the web, as I did not get a picture of it.  Thinking that there would be a good shot that it would turn up in the search, I gave it a whirl.  I was bombarded by no fat chick bumper stickers,t-shirts, and t-shirts for your dogs.  I did not realize that this niche market had become a raging empire.  The bumper sticker that stood out to me the most was this one

 

Wow, that's some real forward thinking right there.  Don't worry...I have a feeling that natural selection will take care of itself.



Be BOLD not bashful at the beach! With Monif C Swimwear

Plus size women should not hide behind shapeless wraps, and frumpy swimwear.  We should not feel the need to cringe when we think of going to the beach...if we're going to go to the beach...let's go to the damn beach! And, lets dress like we're going there! Give me a little pizazz! Not long pants and a long sleeve shirt...that's not beach attire! We don't deserve to swim in pools of sweat, while others get to enjoy a refreshing dip! Claim your space! Get a little sand...and claim yourself!

Enter Monif C Swimwear.  Monif C is amazing! I admire her very much! She have given plus size women a voice, and it is a powerful one! She makes the most beautiful clothing with stunning lines and bold pops of color! She continues to be a favorite at the yearly Full Figure Fashion Week, and everywhere else! Check out her swimsuits, and a great interview at

For all sizes...All Haile the Queen

Queen Latifah is a force to be reckoned with.  She is a multi-media, multi-talented, madly successful woman, with an excellent sense of style! She is bringing her style to the masses along with a message, "remove plus-size from the style-vocabulary" and replace it with "all sizes."  In the Look, on the Today show, Queen Latifah is quoted as saying, (Queen Latifah specifically took issue with what she thinks is disrespect for “larger girls” as consumers, who are often relegated to their own areas in stores and online.)
"I felt the marketplace didn't respect us in the way it should,” she said. “I was not going to step out with a clothing line that didn't respect a fuller-figured woman or a curvaceous woman, and really all women." Heck yea! Finally, someone who gets it.  How refreshing is it that someone has realized that larger women want to be able to wear the same outfits as "everyone else."  Why can't we all share in the joy, that is fashion and style.  Last I heard, a sense of style does not come with a size requirement! 

Check out the Look article http://bit.ly/meie9x