Fat Feminist Fitness Blog: Mandisa: 'Weight Jokes Make Me Feel Less Than a Human Being'

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Mandisa: 'Weight Jokes Make Me Feel Less Than a Human Being'

Former “American Idol” contestant Mandisa Hundley opens up to ESSENCE.com about her amazing weight loss.

One of the quotes that stood out to me was the following:

"I was molested when I was a child and then raped when I was older," she explains. "Subconsciously I associated beauty with danger, so I figured the more weight I gained the less men would find me desirable."

I think food addiction is one of the addictions that a person is showing the world at all times. Because the results show up on your body much faster then say drug and alcohol addictions. I think when were are walking around judging people for their weight we should think maybe they are using the weight as a defense mechanism for a terrible wrong done to them.

1 comment:

ThealogianApril 7, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Absolutely!

That quote is really honest and telling and I thank her for coming forward with how her past abuses shaped/still shape her relationship to her body.
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Mayo Clinic Guidelines

Personalize your goals. Set goals that are within your capabilities and take into account your limitations.
Aim for realistic weight-loss goals. Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.
Focus on the process. Make your goals "process goals,"
Think short term and long term. Short-term goals keep you engaged on a daily basis, but long-term goals motivate you over the long haul.
Write it down. When planning your goals, write everything down and go through all the details.
Start small. It's helpful to plan a series of small goals that build on each other instead of one big, all-encompassing goal.
Pick a date. Timing is crucial, often making the difference between success and failure. Choose a definite start date and don't put that date off for anything. Be sure to account for life circumstances that might hamper your efforts, such as work or school demands or relationship problems. You may need to resolve some issues before starting.
Plan for setbacks. Setbacks are a natural part of behavior change. Everyone who successfully makes changes in his or her life has experienced setbacks. Identifying potential roadblocks and brainstorming specific strategies to overcome them can help you stay on course.
Evaluate your progress. Review your goals each week.
Reassess and adjust your goals as needed. Be willing to change your goals as you progress in your weight-loss plan.

LisaD's Goals and Progress Updates

LisaD's Goals and Progress Updates

1. Personalize: Lose 10 lbs in 7 weeks. End date 2-10-10.
2. Realistic: That is 1.4 lbs per week.
4. Think Short & Long Term: Short term maintain my Jump Start losses when I return to school. Will do another Jump Start in the Summer.
5. Write down when planning: I track my progress at www.diettalk.com and WeightWatchers.com
6. Start Small: Track all Eating. Do purposefuly exercise
7. Set Start Date: 12-30-09.
8. Plan for Set-Backs: I didn't chose to lose 14 lbs in 7 weeks. I gave myself "wiggle room".
9 & 10 Evaluate & review Progress each week; Reassess & Adjust Weekly: : Every Wednesday I track my weight, set new goals, and measure the success of previous goals.

Thealogian: Goals and Progress Updates

Recommendations from the Mayo Clinic:

1. Personalize: Shed 50lbs by my birthday July 8, 2010.
2. Realistic: That is 2lbs per week, I have successfully lost 3.3lbs per week in the past, so with systematic exercise regime, 2lbs is realistic for me.
3. Progress Goals: Exercise 4-6 days per week, don't obsess on food.
4. Think Short & Long Term: long-term, exercise 4-6 times per week; short term, go to gym Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, do pilates or yoga Friday & Sunday.
5. Write down when planning: I'm doing that now (and in a journal); I will also eat Greek Yogurt/granola (measured) for breakfast & Turkey Chili for lunch Mon-Thursday; crackers/2% cheese snack & raw veggies. Dinner will be lean protein with veggies & one piece of dove chocolate for dessert.
6. Start Small: Pack exercise bag & prepare Breakfasts/Lunches for week Sunday night.
7. Set Start Date: TODAY, Jan. 3, 2010.
8. Plan for Set-Backs: I wanted to exercise this weekend, but it was too cold to walk outdoors (I tried), the treadmill is on the frtiz and the gym is closed; I couldn't do yoga or pilates because I pulled a muscle in my back, but that's mostly worked out now (thanks to my sister in law's massage knowledge and nursing skills). Despite all this, I was able to eat non-neurotically and I cleaned out the fridge and organized my bedroom, plus dusting, vaccuuming. So, set back #1 dealt with compassion for body.
9. Evaluate & review Progress each week: each Sunday, I'll do a status update here, in this window.
10. Reassess & Adjust Weekly: Come back to this window to check out weekly goals.

Goals Jan. 4th-10th
Exercise at Gym Mon-Thurs; Pilates or Yoga Friday and Sat or Sun.
Eat pre-packed breakfast/lunch
Meditate 5-10 minutes per day

Fat Feminist Fitness Blog

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Mandisa: 'Weight Jokes Make Me Feel Less Than a Human Being'

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