Why Yes, I Am Giving Birth To 30 Pounds of Fat, or Dumb People Suck

Just a short break from the usual humor on this blog. Do note as I write, I'm about 30 lbs from my goal weight.

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It seems to happen about three times a year. It never gets easier. It always hurts. Bad. 

You see, I am one of those women who's weigh is  all situated in her stomach. Even at my heaviest, my legs and arms were thin.  What happens when a woman has a stomach? Yes, you are correct. People make assumptions. Now most people are smart enough to keep their thoughts to themselves, but sadly there hoardes of morons who think it is perfectly OK to ask a complete stranger if she is pregnant.

It has happened to me numerous times. I have reacted with nastiness, humor, honestly, and plain old silence. It never fails, though, to make me cry. Sure, I can perhaps do more crunches, but that still does  not excuse anyone of asking someone who they don't know personally, much less know offically if a woman is expecting.

So this happened again tonight at work. The cleaning woman.  I answered "no, I am fat!" and walked away to the furthest corner of our stock room to cry.  Just earlier in the day I was proud of myself for my progress, looking good, hell I was wearing a body slimmer, and apparently that didn't manner.

I waited for her to show back up and scolded her "Don't you EVER ask a woman that you do not know that question. Ever."

I was tempted to go cheat and  have some doughnuts. Emotional eater here, but I decided I wasn't going to let that fool ruin what I've worked so hard to achieve. 

Instead of sulking, I went out this evening and women, two I admire, independently, unsolicited gave me complements on how I looked. Both of them, I thanked profusely. Sure I shouldn't worry what other's think, but I'm human. Their kind words..one called me "gorgeous," negated the words of the simpleton. Still, though, part of me is still seething.

Still, I know it might happen again. I am not sure I'll be tough or not, but I am sure I am not the only one who has had this happen to, and I know other's who have had much worse weight discrimination.

In the meantime, I am going to continue to get slim and healthy, but I will never ever forget what it was like to be overweight.

Vintage Weight Watchers Recipe Cards and a Good Read

For those of who that at are not familiar with author Wendy McClure, she started out with a site that showcased found vintage Weight Watchers Recipe Cards. Yellowed, and faded, these cards show how far we have come in the weight loss game.

She's written a humorous and honest memoir of her diet battles called "I'm Not The New Mewhich is a great read for anyone who has ever battled the bulge, dealt with the angst of being over weight, and wondering if maybe they should stay how they are. She's also published the Weight Watcher card collection in a volume called "Amazing Mackerel Pudding Plan."

Wendy caused a bit of a ruckus amongst attendees at the BlogHer conference in Chicago last week. It was those for weight loss vs. those for fat acceptance. As much as I love a good fight, I'm glad I missed that session. Why? As much as I love and respect those who can remain overweight, healthy, and love themselves, I personally am of the weight loss camp. I have suffered various weight related issues--hypertension, knee pains, hiatial hernia and *GERD (aka acid reflux aka Gastroespophagal Reflux Disease)due to carrying too much weight around. I too suffer from depression, I don't think the depression is because of the weight, mine is definitely biochemical, but it certainly never helped matters. Not to mention I'm so not proportional. All my weight is in my stomach, which is the most unhealthy fat. If I was proportional and merely curvy, and of course healthy, I could deal. I think everyone should do what is best for them. That said, I think women of all shapes and sizes are sexy. My gorgeous girl pals range from a zoftig 22 to a sub-zero. Guess what, they all have issues. Women, at least American women, all have been damned with body issues. To be rid of them is to be liberated. I, am not that lucky.

Regardless of your stance on the blub, give Wendy's books and site Poundy.com

*while this can appear in thin folks, I know from experience that the heavier I am the more my reflux causes me problems, due to location of the extra weight.