I remember wanting to be a size 8! I was in high school. At that time it seemed no one was comfortable with being plus size. There were very few plus size stores to shop in. I shopped in catalogs often to find clothes that were plus size and trendy. Stores like The Avenue and Lane Bryant were good, but were a bit old fashion. Being inspired by fashion, I always wanted to be fly! Fly is looking good from head to toe. Toes done, nails done, everything did via Swizz Beats. I began getting my nails and hair done when I started working at 15. So being fancy began years ago for me! My grandmother would say "No one is going to say who dressed that child. They will say who is that child's mother?" So I learned at an early age to look my best no matter how much money I have, my size or if I am just going to 7 eleven. Although, I will throw on a house coat and go to the store in a minute. My environment nurtured a natural diva! Deep down inside I NEVER wanted to be plus size. Who does? I wanted to be smaller, prettier, and for men to see me as sexy! What better way to be sexy than to have a great figure, I thought? Now I will ask: Can you still have a great figured and wear a size 16?
Going to the doctor I remember being told to lose weight. I am 4'11 and at that time was about 170-180 pounds. For my height the doctor advised me to lose up to 60 to 70 pounds to be at my "desired" weight. I thought, what?! So I have to lose half my weight to be considered in shape? How is that? If I weighed 150 and worked out regularly wouldn't I still be in shape? This was in 1994. In 2010 most doctors will agree that being a few pounds over your height/weight requirement would not classify you as out of shape. They would encourage regular work out and a healthy diet. That is what I promote!
At 32 I no longer want to be a size 8. Looking up to Jada Pinkett Smith in High School made me want to lose so much weight. Being that she was short like I am I wanted to look like her. But that is not who I am. Jada is beautiful as a naturally small woman. I am a naturally curvy woman. I had to learn that being in "shape" does not look the same for everyone. Embracing our bodies gives us back control. We are forced to pay attention to it and no longer neglect our bodies in search for a better or perfect one.
I recently found an online blog community that promotes plus size beauty. Everyone is beautiful and they all have different body types. Seeing these women have given me confidence I did not know I had. Not only were they plus size, but fashion experts too. So I now can be fly and plus size! This season in my life I am no longer playing it safe! I am stepping out my box and will be sexy, fun, and sweet all at the same time. And I can be all those things wearing size 12/14 jeansJ.
Sense I first wrote about my weight lost journey I have lost a total of 18 pounds. As anyone who has lost weight, it is challenging. I grew up on fried chicken and candied yams! So as you might imagine eating bake chicken has not been easy for me. For the first time today I went to McDonalds to buy dinner and ordered a salad and not chicken nuggets. That was a big step in my weight loss process. It's not about being a size 8 anymore. It is about being healthy. Making better choices with my life is my goal. I want to live a long life filled with good health, LOVE and financial prosperity. That journey begins with making better choices no matter how small the choices may seem. At 70 years old I want to eat leafy green salads and baked chicken. And from time to time make fried chicken and candied yams.
I know in many plus size circles mentioning weight loss is taboo. But I will say do not box yourself in! Being healthy is not about size, it is about habits. I know many women who are size 5 and have terrible eating habits. It is easy to make this assumption with a woman who wears a size 15. But if that size 15 women ate healthy and worked out regularly she would be in great shape. And when the next trend comes out she does not have to worry if she would look great in the outfit! Being in shape does take commitment to our self regardless of our size. LOVE your body enough to want the best for it. Not just to put on the latest fashion accessory that is easy. Recently my grandfather almost lost his life. It was a shock because he almost lost his life due to his poor nutrition not the surgery itself! I am now going to take better care of myself. I will be the healthiest thick girl I know! I will live outside the box. Finally having the courage to be in shape!
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