The Excuses of The Big Girl

I have had a some great things going on that has taken up a lot of my time but I had to get back to you guys. I recently did some things with a few other plus size people that has made me feel some type of way being a big girl myself. That would be excuses from people who are of larger sizes. I have had my moments of when I didn't want to do things or I was scared to try things, but I have never functioned in a way of having excuses for everything. This actually bothers me.


Being a larger size I am all too familiar with having difficulties in certain areas. I have knee issues that makes it very tough to do a lot of things. Not to mention just being a larger size I have more to move around specially when it comes to working out or dancing. I also I have health issues that makes it hard for me to do things, so I get it. What I will not do is make my size be my excuse.

My Personal 2 Week Bootcamp

The holidays are here and I am a little nervous but more determined than ever to stay on track. Everywhere I turn there is someone cooking or baking a holiday treat or meal and lets not even talk about Thanksgiving.

This year I have another plan though. See my company's Christmas party is on Dec. 5 and after looking through my closet of what I will be wearing I decided to finally wear this leather bodycon dress I purchased from my own boutique (shop our holiday sale here). This is a faux leather, hug all your curves type of dress. While I will definitely will be wearing shape wear under it and I like it on me I want to put my best look forward and kill the room with this dress.

Why I Have to Be Strict With Eating

I always hear about people having cheat meals or even days. I learned the hard way that I am not one those people that can partake in a cheat anything. I have been battling binge eating since I can remember and it is something that I know can not be taken lightly. I have to focus and be very strict with what I can eat because if I have something (mainly sugar related items) it is all over for me. And I am not talking about sweets and candy. Any type of sauce (other than tomato based), greasy foods, and grain products like bread will do me in.

Being strict actually leaves me with limited options of what I can eat, which is why eating clean has always worked out best for me to maintain eating right and losing weight. I recently, at the beginning of October, gave myself a cheat meal. That eventually lead to a cheat day and then to a cheat month. I fell completely off and I am just now getting back on track. Sugar addiction is alive and well when it comes to me and once I get a taste it takes a while to get it under control.

There are a few things I have to do down to the T in order to keep myself on tract:

What Putting in That Work Can Do

It has been a while since I have checked in with you guys about my healthy journey. So I am giving you all the deets today in my progress.

So in August my sister who owns a fitness company (Trophy Wife Fitness... check her out) told me about a weight loss group she and her friends are doing. It is basically an accountability group. Every month we state our goals and at the end of the month we state our progress at that point. In between we give each other tips and what not to help each other along our journeys. So the starting date was August 10 and for some reason this was just the push I needed.

True Life: My Boyfriend is Fed Up with My Weight.....Womp Womp

I love watching MTV's True Life and more often than not many people can relate to what the people are going through in their episode. True Life has been flying under the radar lately, probably because of ratings, so I've found that new episodes come on very randomly and very late. Well that's the only time I tend to catch them. Last night's episode featured two couples in which the women are facing weight loss battles to save their relationship and each couple got me upset in different ways.

The first couple consisted of a very fit man and an overweight woman. The man was very into fitness and healthy eating and the woman wasn't. She was like the average big girl who enjoyed her food and did little physical activity. With her boyfriend constantly on her case about loosing weight she obliged but it didn't come without added relationship issues. This is when I started to give my major side eye... I was all for encouraging her to live a healthier lifestyle but it was the way he went about it. Like many (for reasons I will never understand since it never works) thought by calling her names, giving her ultimatums, and damn near forcing her to workout and eat the way he did would give her the motivation to lose weight. Why, Why, Why do people do this!!!!!!! It never works and usually brings on negative results. My whole thought during the show was why is he with her if he wants a smaller framed woman and why is she with him when he talks to her that way. I absolutely can not deal with women regardless of size that stays in a relationship when someone puts you down constantly. That is not and will NEVER be love. This young lady deserves better and hopefully in time she will and if SHE wants to lose weight for HERSELF I am more than proud she is making it happen. We just have to remember why we are doing things and it should always be because we want to do it for ourselves and through our own journey.

Now on to the other couple.....Major side eye from the beginning. There is a slightly over weight guy and a severely obese woman. What got me upset about this couple is that the man simply wanted his girlfriend to become healthier. He didn't want her to be a size two, he just wanted her to get down to a healthier weight due to the medical conditions she has and she was straight up being lazy and not seeing the severity of her situation. After miscarriages due to her size and other medical problems she still did not take her weight seriously. Now as much as I preach to love your body I also preach living a healthy lifestyle regardless of your size. It wasn't until she became pregnant AGAIN and her boyfriend left her (because of the burden she became due to her constant weight gain and unwillingness to do better) that she understood she had to take her weight seriously and do something about it. It killed me to see her killing herself. I thought her confidence was awesome but regardless of your size you should always work towards making healthy life choices to live a long life. There was no doubt that had she not gotten pregnant and her boyfriend stayed she would still be gaining weight and that's sad. He had to help her put her shoes on and tie them for her and she told him  he would be doing more for her in the near future. Now how selfish is that!!!!! By the end of the show she had a healthy baby and was embracing eating better and exercising and looking into getting weight loss surgery.

This episode hit many spots with me and my own weight loss journey/struggle LOL. Everyone has a choice of how they see their life and what they would like to do in it. First and foremost always focus on your health and secondly make sure your choices are for you. You have to love yourself before you make your changes or your changes will mean nothing.

Thanks for letting me vent LOL.....

My Fitness Magazines Obsession...

Ok guys I have a confession to make....I am obsessed with buying fitness magazines. My healthy lifestyle journey started after the birth of my first daughter in 2009. At that time I started to buy books and magazines about how to change things in my life to become healthy and lose weight. It wasn't the pictures of women I wanted to see, it was the information I was being given.

I don't seek information from these magazines to look like the models (very unrealistic and unhealthy to do), I do it because you never know what new things, studies, recipes and etc. has come out. I used to subscribe to a few publications but to curve my "addiction" (lol) and to save money I now just buy them here and there.

 

I get a lot of limited edition guides and books usually once a year (hence them being limited editions). I do have my favorites that I feel give me the most beneficial information though. Check out my list of go to magazines and books below,

My ultimate Favorite is Oxygen Magazine and my favorite books comes from the owner of Oxygen Magazine. Her name is Tosca Reno. Her books and magazine focuses on clean eating and fitness.

My other go to places are:

Fitness Magazine
Self Magazine and guides
Women's Health guide (don't really care for the magazine)
Clean Eating Magazine
Shape Magazine

I feel all of these magazines, guides and books gives great information and their own spin on healthy lifestyles. I usually apply what will fit into my lifestyle and not worry about what doesn't. What I don't use out of the magazines I sometimes create and update my vision boards with. You can never have enough information on living a healthy and balanced lifestyle!!!!

Are you a magazine junkie like me????

No Limitations on Your Body!!

I always like to share videos that shows plus size women having fun while dancing and showing others that they are not letting their size get in the way of them having fun and doing something they love. Confidence is key and never let your size put limitations on your body. Don't be scared to let your hair down and have a little fun. It also keeps you active and we all need to be a little active. Check out these ladies getting it in!!!!

Everyone is NOT Fat Shamming You!!!

I am pretty sure you have heard about the mom of 3, Maria King, and her fitness photo. Here photo has now gone viral because many believe she is fat shaming. I completely disagree!

I understand what it's like to be a busy mom of 3 with 2 jobs (one of which I own). I have a 4 year old, 2 year old twins. I work over 40 hours a week. I handle all of the cooking and I do most of the cleaning and preparing for the next day, not to mention I don't like to miss my fav shows. I used to use how busy I was as an excuse to not be very healthy.

I am not saying you can't be overweight and healthy because I have never had any issues because of my weight. I got to a point after my first daughter that I wanted to lose weight and get more healthy and fit. It has been a roller coaster especially since I had my twins. I have way less time to dedicate to fitness BUT I make it happen. I believe Maria's photo was meant for those who want to be healthier and more fit but let their excuses get in the way.

 Everyone that sends out messages are not attacking others. Now there are times when people do send out messages and pictures to shames others. Wee see that everyday, but I don't agree that this is one of them. I feel those who were offended have their own insecurities within themselves that this picture struck a cord with. I could understand if she had including other things in her statement that where very offensive but to simply say what's your excuse can be targeted toward everyone, not just overweight women.

I hate when people are quick to judge without knowing the other person's situation. Maria shares that she suffered from bulimia in the past along with other things about herself which lets me know that she has had her own struggles but did not use them as an excuse.

At times I feel some plus size women get to emotional to fast and are quick to yell fat shaming without looking further into things. There are also a lot of plus size women who don't realize they thin shame women. How many post have you seen of bigger women putting down skinny women? It is all the same thing people.

Yes fat people get shamed often, HOWEVER, not everyone is fat shaming you. We need to work on our sensitivity to subjects before we jump to a conclusion.

You all know I love you ladies and I am sorry if you disagree with me (everyone is entitled to their own opinion). I hope Maria King's photo did not offend you and if it did I am sorry. Always remember you are fabulous, amazing, and beautiful women.

Celebrating Healthy Curves is Still Celebrating Curves....Right??

I have noticed that when I post things related to fashion/style/body image I get a great response from my fabulous followers, but when I post about living a healthy lifestyle I either get no response, negative response or people start to unfollow me. Now I know everyone is on their own journey and I in no way push my thoughts and opinions onto to others, but it does make me think. Do people feel like I am not still celebrating curves if I talk about healthy foods and exercise?

I am a full figured woman full of curves and I believe I will always be plus size (I don't want to become skinny). I do however want to be HEALTHY...is that a crime? Size Fabulous was created to have women love their bodies while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Do I criticise people for eating foods I don't or not exercising...absolutely not. Everyone is in charge of their own life and like I said many times, losing weight and eating healthy is your decision and your journey.

Would I like to see you fabulous ladies on a healthy journey...Yes! I am a firm believer that everyone regardless of size should eat healthy and get a little exercise in their daily routine. I want us all to be healthy. I know I am not perfect and nor do I claim to be. I have been up and down on my journey since the birth of my twins (which was 2 years ago) so I know and understand the struggle. I love you guys and if my posting of health and wellness bothers you then I am sorry, BUT I will continue to share my journey.

Size Fabulous has a goal and you don't have to agree with everything that is shared. I am sharing my stories through my blog so those who are going through the same journey has someone they can relate to and reach out to. I love all of my followers whether you hit the gym or not and I will always be here for you guys in all aspect of being fabulous at any size.