Fat Feminist Fitness Blog

August Resolutions & Blog Update

2011-08-01T15:24:00.003-04:00

So, I'm sorry for my absence--I've been traveling and my family has had a few bumps (that are turning out fine), but I'm back. Bad News: LisaD is going to stop being a regular contributor here, but good news, she's starting her own blog soon! She may still post here now and again, but for now she needs to concentrate on finishing her graduate work & launching her own site.

For now, I've decided to return to the earlier format that tracked my fitness progress, mixed with some public policy commentating, etc. So, it'll be a bit more personal & life-style oriented, but they'll still be smart-pants critiques regarding feminism, women's health, pop-culture, etc. Speaking of sound public policy, YAY! The HHS announced today that birth-control and other reproductive health care for women will be classified as preventative which means no co-pays! This is seriously great news!!! Also, breast-feeding aides, such as pumps, will also be covered. So this is a victory for women all around!!!

Now, onto my August Resolutions:

1. Get under 200 lbs (I'm very close); I know that this is a more straight-forward weight-loss goal and less a health-goal, but its my damn goal and I can seriously realize it in a very healthy manner because I'm only pounds away!
2. Concentrate on weight-training & study the possibility of hiring a personal trainer for a specific period of time.
3. Eat more super-foods and anti-oxidants.

Malaysia Airlines bans babies from first class

2011-07-01T06:35:00.000-04:00

An international airline has banned infants from first class on its Boeing 747-400 jets. Malaysia Airlines' new rule comes after officials received several complaints from passengers, NBC affiliate WHEC-TV reports.

Travelers with babies will now have to book seats in business or economy class, which are equipped with bassinets.

Routes affected by the ban include long-haul flights from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, London and Sydney.

In February, several airlines including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were considering creating children-free flights.

I am 100% not a baby person. Yet, I think this ruling is over the top. Planes are public transportation. You by a ticket and you get on. If you got money for first class baby tickets go for it. You shouldn't be stopped just because your baby is loud. People need to be able to get from point a to B and should not be hindered just because they have to bring the baby along.

Singer Jill Scott: How I Lost 63 Pounds!

2011-06-30T06:39:00.000-04:00

Usmagazine.com reports that singer/actress Jill Scott has lost 63 lbs in 2 years.

I commend Jill Scott for losing at a regular person pace. She seemed to be doing it for health and well being instead of Hollywood crazy reasons. She also speaks of portion control and exercise for success. So many celebrities don't talk about the basics. I also like that she didn't do a bikini cover after the weight loss.

Racist/Sexist/Classist Ad from India--Wow, Well Done!

2011-06-30T06:01:00.000-04:00

Are you kidding me with this? This ad from India managed to be racist, sexist and classist all in one fell-swoop! It is for Lotte Choco Caramel With Mango Inside, "the choco-caramel-colored pregnant maid represents the Choco Caramel With Mango Inside." Link to Jezebel Article HERE.
I mean, what can you say? Wow, just wow? Isn't there any...THINKING about ad content?

Mac Gets Fat For Laughs

2011-06-29T06:44:00.000-04:00

So, there's a bit of a buzz about Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob MacElhenney gaining 50lbs in order to play a "fat Mac" in the next season of the show. First off, I should be upfront: I think Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the funniest shows on TV! So, if my love for the show is getting in my way of being appropriately critical of it, let me know in the comments. Some of his cast-mates expressed concern for the health implications of gaining 50lbs through eating tons of junk (and that's super valid), but why I think this will be okay artistically if not generally okay healthwise is that the writers of Sunny are super smart satirists and Mac is NOTORIOUSLY VAIN. I think they will explore several issues of weight, self-perception, self-esteem of men based on their physical appearance, prejudice and double standards of beauty in this up-coming season with this deliberate choice of weight gain. Now, this doesn't all happen in a vaccuum and fat men are often "the funny guy" as a defense mechanism in our culture. Fat men like Chris Farley and John Candy died prematurely due to their lifestyles, which in Farley's case at least, included lots and lots of drugs to keep him manic as well as funny. There's also the softer side of the fat man trope, the jolly fat man--think Santa. So, these are cultural touchstones Sunny will have to deal with, and maybe they'll just stick with the Big Mac theme of MacElhenney as the fool who doesn't know that he's fat. We'll see. But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and see where they take this. If its all bad, I'll retract this post!

That Diet Coke Addiction? Yeah, its a REAL Problem

2011-06-28T11:33:00.002-04:00

Alright, I'm not one for alarmist reactions to popular-culture health stories with buzz, but this is probably the most comprehensive diet soda study (almost 10 years) and the results are alarming. I've already been on the record that I've had "a diet coke problem" before and that I almost never drink Diet Coke now, but I do occasionally because I'm against purity pledges. I gotta say folks, I'm starting to go all AA on this issue.

The Study Found:

Measures of height, weight, waist circumference and diet soda intake were recorded at SALSA enrollment and at three follow-up exams that took place over the next decade. The average follow-up time was 9.5 years. The researchers compared long-term change in waist circumference for diet soda users versus non-users in all follow-up periods. The results were adjusted for waist circumference, diabetes status, leisure-time physical activity level, neighborhood of residence, age and smoking status at the beginning of each interval, as well as sex, ethnicity and years of education.

Diet soft drink users, as a group, experienced 70 percent greater increases in waist circumference compared with non-users. Frequent users, who said they consumed two or more diet sodas a day, experienced waist circumference increases that were 500 percent greater than those of non-users.
Also:

"These results suggest that heavy aspartame exposure might potentially directly contribute to increased blood glucose levels, and thus contribute to the associations observed between diet soda consumption and the risk of diabetes in humans."

Yeah, when my diet coke addiction was at its worst, I was gaining the most weight. One individual's data isn't significant, but this large-scale and comprehensive study? It has me convinced that "Diet Coke" ain't my friend. Water, iced-tea (lightly flavored with juice), coffee, juice, etc. These will hydrate and refresh you. Put down the can!

Shia LaBeouf: I Hooked Up...

2011-06-28T06:13:00.001-04:00

Usmagazine.com reports a long list of conquests Shia LaBeouf gave in a Details Magazine article.

I say celebrities need to keep their hookup out of the press. The relationship is over so why talk about it just to get ratings. Same goes for you Jennifer Aniston.

Vintage Beauties: Lark Voorhies

2011-06-24T07:11:00.004-04:00

Lark Voorhies " Lisa Turtle of Save by the Bell" make the list for making big hair work. I also appreciate that post Saved by the Bell she didn't go for the nude scenes to try to get famous like some of her co-stars.

Book Review: Body With Soul

2011-06-23T06:31:00.002-04:00

I recently read Randy Jackson's Body with Soul. This book was a quick read. I enjoyed the book mostly because he "kept is real". So real that Dawg was frequently used in the book. What I liked about it compared to other diet books, he actually had commentary from real doctors, dietitian, and personal trainers. He also stated that even though he had the weight loss surgery it took a lot of personal effort to get to the thin we see now on American Idol. He also talked about how people can get weight loss in a slow and steady fashion. So I felt for an at home reader, following him and his teams suggestions would leave you more satisfied then a 30 day cleanse type book.

Bristol Palin: I Lost My Virginity While Drunk

2011-06-19T03:55:00.002-04:00

Usmagazine.com reports: In [Bristol Palin] new autobiography, Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far, the 20-year-old single mom reveals that, while drunk for the very first time, she lost her virginity to Levi Johnston during a camping trip.

Palin says she woke up alone in her tent, with no recollection as to what happened. Johnston, meanwhile, "talked with his friends on the other side of the canvas."

I feel this story if true should have come sooner. I feel what she should be talking about instead of abstinence only sex education. She should talk about the real issues:

- Birth control dosage to stop cramps is not the same dosage as preventing pregnancy

- Underage drinking leads to bad decisions

- Getting to know your partner before sex will tell you a lot about their character

- sexual acts with an intoxicated person maybe considered assault

I wish her the best, but I do feel all the interviews and books even if true are pretty sensational and all done in the sole pursuit of money.

Gabrielle Union: I Tried to Shoot My Rapist

2011-06-11T06:49:00.001-04:00

Usmagazine Reports:

Gabrielle Union wasn't offended by the violence in Rihanna's "Man Down" video.

In fact, the 38-year-old actress thought the singer's video "did a great job of getting the entire world talking about rape."

PHOTOS: Stars who've survived abuse

"I hope that it leads to healing and prevents rape," Union tweeted Saturday. (Rihanna's video depicts the singer shooting a man for sexually assaulting her.)

Union's very person impetus for discussing the controversial clip: the star herself was a victim of rape at age 19, she revealed. "A stranger who robbed the store I worked at. He put his gun down during the rape and asked me to hand it to him."

When that happened, Union "tried to shoot [her] rapist, but missed."

"Over the years I realized that killing my rapist would've added insult to injury," she mused. "The desire to kill someone who has abused/raped you is understandable, but unless it's self defense in the moment to save your life, it just adds to your troubles."

This a follow-up to my June 3, 2011 post . I am glad Gabrielle Union spoke out and is keeping it real about the emotions that rape victims go through. It is easy for people to say what they would do if they were in a situation but you thoughts and reactions don't always align in a crisis situation.

Vintage Beauties: Jada Pinkett-Smith

2011-06-10T06:31:00.000-04:00

Jada Pinkett-Smith has had an awesome carreer planning fearless woman. She also has great style past and present. Mediatakeout.com has some old pics of Jada Pinkett-Smith. She makes the list for always being fearless in her style now matter the decade.

Wiz Khalifa Snubbed At Designer Store After He Spends Thousands On Girlfriend Amber Rose

2011-06-09T06:41:00.000-04:00

Radaronline reports: An onlooker told RadarOnline.com: “ After his spending spree on the shoes Wiz went up to the ultra expensive men’s department floor, but instead of rolling out the red carpet for him they refused to help the poor guy!

“Not only did they fail to recognize him they actually thought that that he was a thief and treated him like one!

“It was only when somebody pointed out to them who the guy actually was that they back-tracked somewhat.”

Radaronline is making this seem like a "Pretty Woman" moment where people don't want to sell to questionable girlfriends. But to me this seems like a shopping while black moment. They were happy to take his money when is was shopping with white people. Yet, when he goes to the men's department by himself the store wants to treat him differently.

What She Said

2011-06-03T16:00:00.002-04:00

Skinny Girl with Money

What she said HERE!!!

Rihanna Responds To Music Video Backlash: 'I'm A Rockstar With No Kids!'

2011-06-03T06:33:00.003-04:00

Radaronline.com reports Rihanna addresses her critics about her "non-role model" type videos such as Man Down. She says "I'm a 23 year old rockstar with NO KIDS! What's up with everybody wantin me to be a parent? I'm just a girl, I can only be your/our voice!"

I agree with her on this issue. I believe she is being held to a double standard when it comes to the Man Down video. The movie "The Skin I Live In" staring Antonio Banderas has similar subject matter without the same backlash.

It think the truth of the matter is that rape is an act based on violence and power. So the natural reaction to this event is to react in a violent and powerful way. The only way to overcome the natural reaction is a lot of therapy and the current mental health system doesn't provide that opportunity for most.

Vintage Beauties: Cast of Punky Brewster

2011-06-03T06:14:00.001-04:00

The cast of Punky Brewster makes the the Vintage Beauties list because they were children dressed like children. This is lacking in today's TV when you consider the pageant children reality shows like “Little Miss Perfect,” “Toddlers and Tiaras,” and “Little Beauties.”

Naomi Campbell vs. Cadbury

2011-06-02T04:26:00.003-04:00

OMG is reporting that Naomi Campbell is angry over a Cadbury Chocolate advertisement compare her to a milk chocolate candy bar.

I get it black people don't want to be compared to inanimate objects. Cadbury has apologized and
pulled this ad. Yet, I wonder how many advertises, who weren't black, came up with this campaign not seeing this complaint coming.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Was Bullied to Lose Weight

2011-06-01T03:55:00.001-04:00

Usmagazine.com reports: When I started modelling, I was definitely heavier," she says in ELLE magazine's June issue. "I was quite voluptuous in fact. I had a real baby face and baby fat. But I was a baby! I was told I had to get into better shape, but I'm quite stubborn so I didn't. I can't remember a time where I really battled with my body, but I can remember being asked to lose weight and battling with the advice. It hurt me. Especially as my baby fat naturally melted away as I got older."

But in true bombshell fashion, the 24-year-old Brit stood strong. "You can bullied as a young model, but there was a point where I found my voice, effectively."

I am glad she kept it real and let you know that going into modeling can definitely effect yourself esteem.

Ugh, More Stupid People Exploitation, This Time, More Baby Bumps

2011-05-31T21:19:00.006-04:00

Okay, so obviously this young woman is extremely ignorant (or just really good at self-delusion), but what is this BBC show really trying to accomplish? Is it really trying to educate young women and pregnant women about health hazards to their feti? Or, is it just another reality show opportunity to be disgusted by stupid people? "16 & Pregnant" followed by "Teen Mom" may have started out with good intentions: showing how awful it is to be a pregnant teen/teen mother, but its turned into a side-show (complete with US Weekly cover for those featured). This pre-occupation with pregnancy, baby-bumps, teen mothers, stupid pregnant people, surprise pregnancies/babies, etc. Its such a weird phenomenon and shows that seek to further this voyeuristic vein of pop-culture worry me. What are your thoughts, readers?

Khloe Kardashian "Freaking Out" About Possible Infertility

2011-05-30T06:57:00.002-04:00

Usmagazine.com reports Khloe Kardashian has concerns about her fertility and talks about it in her season finally.

I think people need to realize that not everyone is willing to talk about their reproductive lives publicly. So the next you about to ask a woman when she is going to have a baby, you might want to think twice. The woman may want kids but is having fertility issues and doesn't want to discuss them with you.

"Passing as Thin" Apparently is Invitation to Fat-Phobic To Share How They Really Feel

2011-05-29T11:24:00.003-04:00

So, I went on an OkCupid date last night and it didn't go too well. There are a variety of reasons why I'm not going on a second date (and he's not TOO TOO awful), but one of those reasons is that he's fat-phobic and apparently I've reached a thin enough stage to "pass" as a (if not skinny person), not fat person. Maybe as a fat-identified person, I'm too sensitive, but he had to tell this elaborate story about the indignity of sitting next to a fat person on his last leg of a trip (in 1st class no less--and those seats are way bigger) from Japan. Add insult to injury, dude was not a skinny minny himself--he's probably about 40lbs overweight. It just seemed mean and unnecessary, but it is probably something I'll have to get used to (and at times will be compelled to call people out for and at other times, like a bad first date, just leave alone because I don't want to have to deal with a stranger on the defensive, who will probably just call me a fat bitch for standing up for the fatties...remember, even if I ever achieve "skinny minny" status, women are always great targets for the body-shame/bitch combo by angry dude-bros).

Some converts, like myself, might be compelled to anti-fat tirades because of self-loathing or self-righteousness (I lost weight, why can't everybody?), luckily I'm not one of those people. No matter my size, I'll always be fat-identified and body-diversity promoting. There are so many identity factors that "the man"/the kyriarchy use to divide natural allies, and body acceptance is one of the most powerful, whether its about weight, hair-texture, height, coloring, etc. Only the trim, white man is normative and everybody else is "other," which is bullshit.

So, no second date for dude-bro (he also appears to be a binge drinker and culturally incurious, so those are also valid reasons for not going on date two), but I have a feeling that in my dating life, this will probably just be the first of many "fat people suck" jokes/comments I'll have to get through on my journey to find Mr. Right.

MTO WORD EXCLUSIVE!! NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT KIM KARDASHIAN'S ENGAGEMENT IS A PUBLICITY STUNT!!!! (EVIDENCE INSIDE)

2011-05-29T06:31:00.002-04:00

Mediatakeout.com is reporting that Kim Kardashian maybe faking her engagement for publicity.

The reason I bring this topic up is because it seems that society wants women of a certain age to be married and pregnant. Since Kim is in her early thirties. Some insist she can't be happy because she doesn't have a baby or a husband like her sisters. Yet, I think she is very happy playing the field and making $5 million a year.

Also, she was married before I think she knows what it is like. So I think we should get out her business. Because each time we pay attention to her limited talent self she gets a check.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez -- Wet & Wild In Hawaii!

2011-05-28T06:23:00.000-04:00

Radaronline.com reports : Young lovebirds Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have turned up the passion a notch -- or ten -- in Maui.

At one point on Thursday, a shirtless Bieber, 17, held the bikini-clad Gomez, 18, up by her backside in the water as they passionately kissed.

Click on the link to see the photo. I have two issue with photo.

1. Why are the paparazzi following the kissing habits of teenagers.

2. Why isn't Selena Gomez getting more slack for being with an underage boy?

I think we as a society over sexualize teenagers to much. Then we want get the courts involved if they start having sex.

Vintage Beauties: Samantha Mathis

2011-05-27T06:09:00.002-04:00

Samantha Mathis was picked as a Vintage Beauty for her role in Pump Up the Volume . She gets girl power points for rocking dark hair in a movie, when so many were filled with blonds in the late 80's early 90's.

So, If You Are Anti-Vegetarian Because Hitler "Was a Vegetarian" Then You Might Want to Rethink Your Position

2011-05-25T06:48:00.000-04:00

So, according to Vegetarian Food Historian, Rynn Barry, the myth that Hitler was a vegetarian cannot be substantiated. She's written a book, Famous Vegetarians & Their Favorite Recipes available HERE.

She contends: "Mainstream historians have an elastic definition of vegetarianism," he says. "They don't hold Hitler to the same standards as a practicing ethical vegetarian. You can't be a vegetarian and eat liver dumplings."

Frozen Yogurt--How I love thee!

2011-05-24T09:12:00.003-04:00

Frozen Yogurt--love love love, frozen yogurt and a couple Orange Leaf shops have opened in Lexington recently. I had some and didn't even check the calorie count before going. I know that frozen yogurt is on the light side, but I forgot how light. Check out Orange Leaf's nutrition info HERE. Yes, the listed serving is only 1 ounce and especially at self-serve places, you're putting more than 1 ounce in the cup (although, I think I did a pretty good job of gauging what I could/should eat). Now, the toppings? That's another story. But there's fresh fruit and nuts (as well as candy bar bits). This summer, I'm definitely taking myself (and prolly my niece) for Orange Leaf on a hot day at least once a week. Soooo gooooood.

Workin' Harder For Your Money

2011-05-24T08:40:00.002-04:00

Surprise surprise, overweight women make less money than "average" sized women and significantly less than slender women...what about the mens? Slightly overweight men make MORE than "average" sized men. What's the solution? Shape up fatties! Yes, the researchers recommended that discriminated people seek to normalize their weight rather than we have to deal with bias and discrimination on a cultural level.

"That study found that compared to average weight women, those who weighed 25 pounds less made about $15,572 more, and women who weighed 25 pounds more made $13,847 less." That is a, pardon the pun, HUGE difference in pay and I'm feeling kinda ragey about (and poor!!!). Here's the Jezebel take down and HERE is the original study.

Its an international study and the US actually comes in 31st (with Iceland the least discriminatory), so anti-fat bias specifically against women was found to be present in all 134 countries studied. So, that's bad, but what's worse is the incredibly condescending "shape up fatties" message from the researchers at the end of the study summary. The simple minded, pat advice breaks down to: "Focus on what you can replace ice cream with," he said. "Maybe it's yogurt or fruit." 95% of diets fail, but regardless of those statistics, the researchers call on individuals to shape up rather than for anti-fat biases (found globally, though yes, there are still cultures that value and prefer fat women--though, insisting that women conform to being fat is as restrictive and body-diversity denying as insisting that they must be thin) be looked at as serious human rights violations and discrimination. Individual solutions are bunk--people's salaries and social mobility should be based on performance, education, hard work and skills, not suit size. I'm not saying that its impossible to lose weight and keep it off (and for those who do, they tend not to diet, but to integrate a lifestyle of exercise, healthy eating, extra movement whenever they can get it and a host of other things (like sleeping 8-9 hours instead of 6-7) and they tend not to be "thin" but simply "not fat" anymore--going from fat to thin and keeping it that way is really hard to sustain, but getting thinner is more likely to succeed if your goals in mind are health oriented and not specifically aesthetic.

So, dear reader, do you feel like your size has played a role in your salary? Career success? Share in the comments.

Interested in Taking a Yoga Class?

2011-05-19T14:02:00.002-04:00

I've been going strong with my Friday yoga classes for over six weeks now--maybe longer actually. I love it. I'm taking a Yin/Yasa class which concentrates on both strength (or heat building) and stretch (poses designed to get deep stretches or cooling poses). Here's the official description from my studio:

Yinyasa features both the active movement of vinyasa, as well as the complementary practice of yin which focuses on release of the deep connective tissues. Like a satisfying exhale after rapid breathing, the passive poses of yin feel deeply relaxing especially following the strength-building poses typical of vinyasa. The goal of this class is to help build focus and strength, and then to enjoy the relief of passive stretching and a more peaceful mind.

I prefer taking yoga at studios rather than gym based classes (where the focus tends to be on the fitness elements more than the overall yogic philosophy). Plus, gym classes often mix in pilates or other strength moves that really don't have anything to do with the natural flow of a traditional yoga class. Although, that's just my bias from trying gym based classes a couple times at a couple different gyms...your gym class might be great and wherever you workout, I recommend checking into a yoga class! HERE is a great resource describing the different styles of yoga and how you might better determine what you'd like the best.

Bridesmaids: Have You Seen it Yet?

2011-05-18T08:34:00.003-04:00

Alright, so there's been tons of buzz that the fate of Bridesmaids will either greenlight or kill several other women-centric comedies and that you MUST MUST MUST see this film. Well, that might be true and that sucks--especially since the demographic its supposed to appeal to WOMEN are not some strange sub-set of the population. Women are 51% of the population for goodness sake!!! Of course, the logic is that women will see male-centric movies, but men won't see films led by female protagonists. Well, there were plenty of men (okay, only 33% according to the stats laid out HERE) present and they, along with the women, laughed our collective assess off. It was really funny and not really in a gross-out kinda way alluded to in the previews (yes, there was a pretty bad case of collective food poisoning, but that was part of the overall plot showing Wiigs character trying, but failing to do her duty as Maid of Honor on a seriously restricted budget due to her dream & small business, Cake Baby--a bakery--failing due to the economy. That felt really real and another nice thing about this film was that they didn't try to make everything better, no rich person swept in at the end and gave her back her business like Daddy Warbucks, we were left feeling like she'll figure it out now that she's really clawing her way out of this slump in life, but not exactly how or when. I liked that (I don't think that that really spoils anything in the plot because there's plenty to resolve in the main storyline as well). Anyway, go see Bridesmaids, not because you should due your duty, but because its funny.

Another film that looks like it is challenging our view of what a comedy can be is Jumping the Broom, which, much like Bridesmaids, is a comedy that dares to talk/show/think about issues of class. I haven't seen Jumping the Broom yet and I have read one very critical take on it HERE, but I have also seen several positive reviews over at Jezebel (though not an indepth review that it deserves, Jezzies--it was just contrasted in the concluding paragraph in a review of the new Kate Hudson vehicle, Something Borrowed, HERE.). Anyway, class is something that the movies have tended to shy away from in recent years--Hollywood prefers to show us the safe happy lives of the upper-middle class, the outright rich or the damn dirty poor--working class, working poor, middle-middle class, these folks rarely get to see their lives reflected on the silver screen. Jumping the Broom takes that a bit further by showing a tension between a working class family and an upper-middle class (no, probably outright rich family, but they are supposed to be upper-middle class I think) within the African American community. One of the producers is a preacher from Atlanta, so the critical Pandagon article really casts his eye on how the resolution seems "too pat" through commonalities reached through "the Black Church." So, I haven't seen it yet, but I will this weekend.

Overall, I'm glad to see two comedies taking on issues of class, a subject that begs for examination!

Home Neat Home

2011-05-18T08:18:00.004-04:00

So, I'm really impressed with Kath's (she of Kath Eats Real Food or KERF) series on organic cleaning and her general organizational philosophy. She's a great food and lifestyle blogger who I admire for many reasons, she eats well and she eats for pleasure, she works out--and for the joy of movement, not just to reach or maintain some aesthetic ideal--she also seems pretty eco minded without being preachy and of course, its been fascinating to watch the process it takes to open a Great Harvest Bread Franchise (something that I've thought of doing before). I also really enjoyed her post regarding budgeting, which was really enlightening, but she certainly takes the cake when it comes to organizing her home. LisaD is actually quite the organizational maven, btw, so she might want to share her tips sometime, but for someone who integrates organization and aesthetically pleasing living spaces, Kath excels like no one else on the internet (on a real person budget I should add--sure, there are perfect design blogs and home decorating blogs, but the budgets?). Anyway, check out Kath's series and report back on your favorite organizing/cleaning tips in the comments. When I set up my next apartment, I will try to document my (very on a budget) approach.

PastaQueen No More, Long Live the Queen

2011-05-17T05:23:00.000-04:00

So, Jennette Fulda, she of PastaQueen is folding her current blog--a blog I've been a fan of ages that detailed her weight loss of 200lbs--she's not completely giving up blogging, she's just doing it under her real name and a new domain site that more fully expresses who she is today. Her new blog will be over at JenFul.com. She's leaving her archives up, so feel free to browse her storied blog for inspiration and to see her story unfold--which covers the writing and release of not one, but two books (the latest, "Chocolate and Vicodin" details her journey to try to cure her chronic headache). She's super cool, so if you aren't a reader already, consider looking her up.

Sex & Soda

2011-05-16T17:15:00.001-04:00

NSFW!!!

This was really interesting to watch. Two things of note: 1.) I totally remember that Cindy Crawford ad and today she'd prolly be called fat if she were a contemporary model; 2.) the German Sprite ad at the end is crazy and worth watching the entire video to get to...yes, I would like European modeled healthcare/work-life balance, etc. but I could totally pass on their tv commercials.

Accidental Hiatus?!?

2011-05-16T16:04:00.003-04:00

I think that I might have accidentally take a hiatus for a month or so! Sorry, my bad--it was totally not planned! Well, I'm back and LisaD, luckily, has not been as absent as I have over the past 4-6 weeks, so there have been some posts, but in recompense I will have a POST A DAY all week and try to maintain that level as best I can. I mean, really, is there really ever a day that goes by when the interwebs don't deliver us up a new health trend to follow or debunk? Nah, plus of course, where would y'all be without my journaling of my weight-loss/attempts at meeting fitness goals (or Lisa's?).

Anywho, I'll just give a brief over-view of what's been going down with me...let's see, how much weight am I down now, oh, yes: 56.2lbs!!! The other day, I tried to carry 35lbs of cat litter from the trunk of my car into the house and it was SO DAMN HARD, I can't imagine that I used to carry that around on my body!!! I'm more than half-way to my goal, which is an even 100lbs. I've also been quite regular with the Friday Yoga classes, btw! So much so, that not only do I feel a difference in my own form and ability, but in that "body awareness" that you hear all the yogi's rave about--yoga really does help you pay attention. So, those are two good things. What needs improvement, well, I totally skipped the gym and all cardio last week. I've packed my gym bag (since the rain has made it difficult to walk/jog outdoors for a while), charged up my ipod and I'm heading over to the gym right after work. I'm even thinking about taking a Cardio Kickboxing class on Thursday--whadda think? Will I become a super awesome kick-boxer or more likely, will I somehow manage to injure myself or another? If I do start that class, it'll prolly be next week due to scheduling.

Race Problem in Ireland

2011-05-02T06:53:00.001-04:00

According to The Daily Mail and Mediatakeout.com report that other countries are still have problems with inter-racial dating. The the current Miss Ireland is getting hate speech and threats direct at her because she is dating a black Nigerian man. This is an important story in race dialogue, because many time Americans are held as the poster child or race inequalities, but every country is working with dealing with difference in both positive and negative ways.

Vintage Beauties: Aaliyah

2011-04-15T05:35:00.001-04:00

Aaliyah she makes the list because she always had tasteful clothing in her videos.

Vintage Beauties: Melissa Joan Hart

2011-04-08T06:27:00.001-04:00

Melisa Joan Hart she makes the list for bringing us smart young women characters in the 90's such as : Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Clarissa Explains It All . I still love her in her current ABC family roles.

14 Spring Dresses

2011-04-06T14:47:00.004-04:00

Check out this super-cute (and multi-priced) slide show of 14 cute, plus-sized dresses for spring. There's also two other slide shows of interest on this site, one dealing with bathing suits for various plus-sized body types and the other featuring party dresses. The prices for all of these slide shows include affordable ($25) to ridiculous ($$$ whatever that number is for you).

Book Review: True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself

2011-04-05T21:18:00.000-04:00

True You was a quick read. It is not a tell all book. She barely mentions her second marriage, she states for legal reasons. The premise of the book is that Janet is just like you and her insecurities and low self esteem caused her to have disordered eating which generally equaled stave/binge patterns. She tells her story as well as stories of fans who had similar issues and overcame his/her issues after listening to a Janet song. She does have her nutritionist do the afterward and he discusses the medical aspects of losing weight. His top tips:

Stop dieting and change your lifestyle habits

Get a medical evaluation before you start the new lifestyle, because the damage of past habits, could hinder weight lost of the new habits

Also that proper sleep and nutritious foods are just as if not more important then exercise

The book also has some recipes with nutrition info mapped out for each recipe.

I would recommend this book.

Yes, Imagine That

2011-03-20T22:02:00.001-04:00

Yoga Success At Last!!!

2011-03-19T12:25:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I'm totally gonna be a yogi when I grow up. Seriously, I went to that noon yoga class and it was fabulous--exactly what I'm looking for. I used to do yoga at a number of studios a few years ago, but after gaining weight, it got more and more difficult, so I stopped trying. Well, I've been losing weight over the past six months or so (I believe that my last update was down 40lbs, well, now that's 49lbs). So, yesterday, when we began doing Downward Facing Dog (pose above), I was nervous, but then I realized, "this is easier" and so it was. I was able to do all the poses & sequences, gently, yoga is not the place to be competitive and a couple times I did do modified poses (like staying in child's pose while some in the class did twists, but many people elect to stay in a pose that is deeply satisfying, like child's pose, when you are in a class that stresses listening to your body). So, I signed up for the 30 days for $30 of unlimited classes to try a variety of things (there are several classes that start at 7:15 p.m. which works well for me, though I do think that my favorite will probably be this Friday noon class). I'll keep the blog updated on my practice. Meanwhile, know that I'm feeling Friday's class--all sorts of little muscles come alive during yoga. I just took a walk, so that will probably work-out some of the muscle tension, but its a good tension (especially in my arms and shoulders--I feel so much more from that class than I ever do from lifting my 5lbs arm weights.

Notice Anything At the Grocery Store? Yeah, You're Not Crazy!

2011-03-17T10:08:00.003-04:00

The other day I was at Kroger (a big chain grocery store in the Midwest/South) and I noticed that zucchini was $2.79lb and eggplant was $3.99 each!!! I about flipped. Well, this wasn't a fluke because food prices rose by 3.9% over the PAST MONTH ALONE the biggest increase since November 1974. Yes, there's been several cold snaps in Florida, California and Mexico, where most of our early season produce comes from, so that's a big factor, but meat and milk are rising as feed costs more and even junk-food composed of various soy/wheat/corn bi-products will rise in response to several factors, including the steadily increasing cost of fossil fuels and our own laughable "green" efforts to subsidize ethanol (which is a biofuel from corn that requires more OIL INPUTS FROM FOSSIL FUELS THAN IT GIVES BACK--GREEN MY #$@@). So, more ethanol, more corn production, less corn/wheat/soy for feed, more expensive meats/dairy and of course, more expensive travel of fruits/veggies across thousands of miles from here to there.

So, what can we do in both the short term and long-term about this?

Short-Term: personally, I can't wait until the Farmer's Market opens in April. I love going to the Farmer's Market just because the energy is so great, but mouth-breathing pro-greed enthusiasts should shop there too because its cheaper than the grocery store. Generally you have to pay via cash, but honestly that's good for establishing and keeping to a budget. Also, very little junk food is available at the Farmer's Market, so you'll probably end up eating healthier if you can plan your meals around seasonal availability. Another thing to look into is eating more vegetarian--not French Fries vegetarians we all know--but incorporating more rice/beans into your meal plans to help with the expense of general market upward trends. The easier thing in the universe is mixing up some kidney beans with spaghetti sauce and additional tyme over brown rice--serve with some fresh wilted greens from the Farmer's Market and, heck, shred a little extra sharp white cheddar cheese from the dairy stall, on those beans/rice--its dynamite!

Long-Term: Consider riding your bike to that Farmer's Market! Try to cut down on your own carbon footprint, lobby for sound agricultural as well as environmental policies--Do not vote Republican, evar--not one Republican on the Environmental Impact Committee in the House the other day agreed that Climate Change was real, though our most august bodies of scientists have shown the proof over and over again, they don't care about reality. Reality based thinking is what we need to save our collective asses (from ourselves). Anyway, long-term is hard and I'm working on my long-term strategies (and I bet several of our readers are well ahead of me on their footprint management--for example, I still commute 40 minutes via car 4 days per week; I really really really want to change that, but that will take a job switch, which I'm working on).

Meanwhile, just know, you are not crazy--food costs more!

What He Said, America

2011-03-15T13:11:00.001-04:00

Edgy Video by Some Hard Workin' Grannies Trying to Get the Message Out about the Wage Gap

2011-03-05T09:14:00.001-05:00

Just Say No to Permanent Make-Up

2011-03-04T04:25:00.000-05:00

The New York Times has a trend piece on "permanent make-up" aka GETTING YOUR FACE TATTOOED!!! I'm sure that they've run a hundred pieces about how awful tattoos are, but permanent make-up, no that's a harmless (nay, convenient) TREND. Ugh, ladies, remember, make-up styles and trends CHANGE DRAMATICALLY OVERTIME. What is "standard" today may look as out-there as pencil thin eyebrows from the 1930's or the seriously over-exaggerated fake eyelashes from the 1960's.

Mike Huckabee Slams Natalie Portman's Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy

2011-03-04T00:35:00.002-05:00

Us Magazine reports that Mike Huckabee says: "People see a Natalie Portman who boasts, 'We're not married but we're having these children and they're doing just fine," Huckabee told radio host Michael Medved on his show Monday. "I think it gives a distorted image. It's unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of out-of- wedlock children."

I think shows like MTVs Teen Mom show the other side of the single motherhood also if any woman looks at the single mother in their neighborhood knows it is not a bed of roses. So I think his comments are just sensational.

For me the bigger concern is the money spent on fertility treatments for people like Mariah Carey (41), Halle Berry (40 ) , Kelly Preston ( 48), Celine Dion (42) make it seem like having a baby at 40 is easy and anybody can do it. I think that is the most hurtful pregnancy trend coming out of Hollywood.

Brandon Davies Suspended for Violating BYU Honor Code

2011-03-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

People.com reports The Utah-based school, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently suspended their star basketball player, Brandon Davies, from their No. 3 ranked team for admitting he violated the school's honor code provision that prohibits premarital sex,

I do not condone the schools actions but I am glad not only a woman suffered the repercussions of the society's commentary on the issue of premarital sex.

Serena Williams Hospitalized for a Pulmonary Embolism

2011-03-03T08:49:00.003-05:00

Serena Williams was hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in the lungs, this week according to TMZ. Her official rep stated:

Williams' rep released a statement explaining, "Monday Serena Williams underwent emergency treatment at Cedars for a hematoma she suffered as a result of treatment for a more critical situation."

The statement continues, "Last week, Serena suffered from a pulmonary embolism [a blood clot in the lungs] which was discovered upon her return to L.A. She had been in New York for doctor appointments for the ongoing issues with her foot."

The rep added, "Doctors are continuing to monitor her situation closely to avoid additional complications."

Even tip-tip athletes (especially tip-top athletes actually because they put their bodies through so much) can be taken down by a couple errant cells traveling through the blood-stream. We are vulnerable creatures. I'm glad that this embolism was detected and she's receiving treatment and I wish Ms. Williams a speedy recovery. I also wish that everyone confronted with a medical emergency in this country could receive quality care without worrying about bankruptcy. The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are (according to WebMD):

The most common symptoms are:

Sudden shortness of breath.
Sharp chest pain that is worse when you cough or take a deep breath.
A cough that brings up pink, foamy mucus.

Pulmonary embolism can also cause more general symptoms. For example, you may feel anxious or on edge, sweat a lot, feel lightheaded or faint, or have a fast heart rate or palpitations.

If you have symptoms like these, you need to see a doctor right away, especially if they are sudden and severe.

What increases your risk of pulmonary embolism?

Anything that makes you more likely to form blood clots increases your risk of pulmonary embolism. Some people are born with blood that clots too quickly. Other things that can increase your risk include:

Being inactive for long periods. This can happen when you have to stay in bed after surgery or a serious illness, or when you sit for a long time on a flight or car trip.
Recent surgery that involved the legs or belly.
Some diseases, such as cancer, heart failure, stroke, or a severe infection.
Pregnancy and childbirth (especially if you had a cesarean section).
Taking birth control pills or hormone therapy.
Smoking.

You are also at higher risk for blood clots if you are an older adult (especially older than 70) or extremely overweight (obese).

I Want I Want I Want

2011-03-03T06:14:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this sound heavenly? Cinnamon, Vanilla Almond Butter? Seriously, if this is wrong I don't want to be right...I wonder if Whole Foods carries this??? I'll get back to y'all (I might even order it online).

Kirstie Alley: I Want to Lose 30 Pounds on DWTS

2011-03-02T20:07:00.001-05:00

US Magazine reports: Forget the mirror ball trophy, Kirstie Alley is hoping for a bigger prize at the end of her Dancing With the Stars journey.

"I've lost 60 pounds, and I have 30 or 40 more to go," the former Fat Actress star told UsMagazine.com at Monday's cast reveal. "And I think with this strenuous, rigorous dance schedule, I think it's going to work. It's exciting."

It appears the DWTS has become the new Celebrity Fit Club. Now everyone once to be on the show so they are forced to exercise. Kirstie is my girl. I wish her the best of luck. Yet, I doubt she will ever maintain weight loss success if she doesn't deal with the emotional issues she has with food.

Resolutions for March

2011-03-02T14:10:00.004-05:00

The weather is absolutely perfect outside for taking walks (which is my favorite form of exercise) and so I'm going to definitely pursue outdoor walking for good weather days in March, but this means that I will be sidelining the gym and the gym is the most convenient place to do toning--but is that really true? Let me be honest for a moment, even when I do go to the gym I spend 30-45 minutes on the elliptical trainer and then maybe 10-15 around the weight machines or the free weights (I particularly HATE the free weights area because I work out at the University gym and there are all these boys grunting and taking up as much space as possible and its surrounded by mirrors and although I do get that the mirrors are supposed to help with form, they just make me self-conscious).

What I'm going to do, is come up with some routines for the month of March to do after evening walks that will help me actually build muscle. I've been losing weight this year (more than 40lbs thus far) and I know that I've lost muscle tone. I don't develop muscle very easily, so losing the little that I have is not good. I am going to focus on my 5lbs weights for my arms and for my legs, I'll work on squats & lunges. For my abs, which I never work out at the gym because I don't like laying on the sweaty community maps after my elliptical session, but even though I vow to do some sort of ab activity at home, I never do...its time for dinner for goodness sake!!! So, for my abs, I'll do a variety of pilates mat moves that I have recently printed out from FitSugar. So, I'm going to mix and match and I'll share the results--can I successful commit to doing toning at home? I think so and I resolve to do so. I'll update y'all in a couple weeks.

By the Way, sorry about the dearth of posts last week, this week and unfortunately, next week. Last week I was in Florida, this week I've been very busy doing worky-work, and next week I'll be in DC. I'll try to get at least a few posts pre-set up over this weekend for next week. We are now up to EIGHT followers! So cool and thanks to all of our regular readers for sticking with us.

So, monthly resolutions: anybody have resolutions for March they'd like to share in the comments?

EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Sheen Wants Full Custody Of Kids From Ex Brooke Mueller

2011-03-01T18:28:00.000-05:00

Charlie Sheen isn’t just fighting CBS and Warner Bros. Television: RadarOnline.com has learned the embattled Two and a Half Men star is moving to wrestle full physical custody of his two children from soon-to-be-ex-wife Brooke Mueller.

The twins, Bob and Max, have been at Sheen's Mulholland Estate mansion since before he went to the Bahamas with Mueller, along with porn star Bree Olson and new girlfriend Natalie Kenly.

I wish them both good luck. Charlie Sheen even if sober at this point is still an ass and may not be the best parent at this time.

Free Budgeting Software

2011-02-24T19:58:00.003-05:00

I've had a couple recommendations (from friends and from online sources) about Mint.com which offers free budgeting software that helps you track your financial history and plan for the future. You can generate from the data collected all kinds of useful charts/graphs and "reports." Being a nerd at heart, this appeals to me. So, readers, how do you track your financial health? Any other software applications you like to use? I'll report back after 3-4 months of mint.com usage if I decide to go with it.

Kanye West

2011-02-24T06:10:00.000-05:00

Kanye West makes a great point but at the wrong time. His recent tweet give a cautionary tale for safer sex. He Tweeted: “an abortion can cost a ballin' n***a up to 50gs maybe a 100. Gold diggin' b*tches be getting pregnant on purpose. #STRAPUP my n***as!” he wrote, later adding, “It ain’t happen to me but I know people.”

I think it was unnecessary to use the negative language, but it is true if more people used condoms. They would have many less unplanned pregnancies to have to deal with.

Models Faces Before Photoshop

2011-02-22T06:43:00.001-05:00

Check out this video and article at Jezebel showing the transformation of close-up shots of models used for advertising. I can't embed the video here, but its short and as always, kinda shocking how skewed are media images really are. No one's skin is as smooth and flawless as a Loreal ad, not even a beautiful model's.

Check it out HERE.

Amen!

2011-02-21T07:08:00.000-05:00

Family Planning Saves $4 for every $1 Spent

2011-02-19T18:42:00.003-05:00

Here is a MUST READ article about the real impact of family planning spending by the Federal Government put out by the Guttmacher Institute.

Some Factoids:

Publicly funded family planning services are highly cost-effective. More than nine in 10 women receiving them would be eligible for Medicaid-funded prenatal, delivery and postpartum care services if they became pregnant. Avoiding the significant costs associated with these unintended births saves taxpayers $4 for every $1 spent on family planning.

AND

By providing millions of young and low-income women access to voluntary contraceptive services, the national family planning program prevents 1.94 million unintended pregnancies, including almost 400,000 teen pregnancies, each year. These pregnancies would result in 860,000 unintended births, 810,000 abortions and 270,000 miscarriages, according to a new Guttmacher Institute report.

The GOP is trying to spin their cutting of Planned Parenthood and Title X as "austerity measures," but financially the math doesn't work out that way. What it really is, is anti-contraception and anti-woman base appeal. They said they were running to create jobs, but they have no "conservative" ideas that will generate job growth because "conservative" ideas simply expand the impact of a recession, see THE GREAT DEPRESSION for an idea as to how "conservatives" make recessions worse. Perhaps, a crazy person, might argue that by forcing women out of the work-force due to forced pregnancy, it will free up a job for a man, but that thinking was faulty in the 1930's, let alone today. Support Planned Parenthood, Support Title X by CALLING your representative in the house.

This Goes Out to My Brothers & Sisters Fighting for their Rights to Collective Bargaining in Wisconsin! Union!!!

2011-02-19T18:39:00.001-05:00

This Goes Out to My Brothers & Sisters Fighting for their Rights to Collective Bargaining in Wisconsin! Union!!!

I Took A Walk!

2011-02-17T08:41:00.004-05:00

So, I've had a cold for about a week and a half, but yesterday I felt like I was ready to start exercising again. I dutifully packed my gym bag, made sure my ipod was charged, etc. Then, when quitting time neared and I started thinking about getting on that elliptical, I started to get a case of the blahs & dontwannas...it was so pretty out yesterday, mid-60's...why couldn't I enjoy the hour or so of daylight instead of going to the gym?!? Then I realized, duh! You can!!! You can take a walk outside! And that is what I did. It was glorious. I was so enthused by the idea, I think I probably got a better work-out than I would have if I went to the gym. Although, I didn't do any toning, which is actually becoming a problem. I am seriously neglecting toning, almost as a matter of principle (although that is only a principle when one's philosophy favors muscular degeneration). I brought my gym bag again today, but if its nice out, I think I'll forgo the gym again and head outdoors...though with some handweights mandated afterward. Has anyone else been able to enjoy exercising outside yet? Let us know in the comments!

This

2011-02-17T07:34:00.001-05:00

CBS News' Lara Logan Sexually Assaulted in Egypt

2011-02-15T22:00:00.002-05:00

For CBS News Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan, covering the jubilation in Egypt's Tahrir Square Friday after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down was anything but joyous.

According to the network, Logan -- who was on assignment for 60 Minutes -- was "separated from her crew" in the mob of more than 200 people.

Logan was then "surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers," CBS reports.

After reconnecting with her team, the South African native, 39, returned to the United States on the first flight out Saturday morning. She is currently recovering in a hospital

This is very sad. I will keep her in my prayers. Many people forget that women are often abused sexual during retaliation activities. Many women often have to muse over the chance of sexual assault when they take international assignments. This is a thought almost never crosses a male journalist mind.

Billy Ray Cyrus: Miley's Hannah Montana "Destroyed My Family"

2011-02-15T06:38:00.000-05:00

Us Magazine reports: In an emotional new interview in GQ magazine, the country singer, 49, sadly expounds at length about his very serious regrets and concerns for his famous daughter Miley, 18. (Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, Miley's mom, also filed for divorce last year after 17 years of marriage.)

I believe the moral of this story is that when parents try to be friends instead of parents children go astray. I also think it is challenging to be a parent when you kid is making the money that supports the family.

I recommend that Will and Jada Pinket-Smith have a sit down with Billy Ray before it is to late for there rising stars.

Crystal Renn: Expectations

2011-02-14T14:28:00.002-05:00

In this video, Crystal Renn discusses her recent weight-loss and failure to "live up to" the plus sized model ideal. When she was in her teens modeling in the "straight-sized" modeling world (aka size 0-4 realm) she suffered from an eating disorder. Then she got healthy and got a "plus sized modeling contract." She's recently lost a bit of weight (not to the extent that takes her back into "straight-sized" modeling, but rather puts her right in-between the modeling sized world).

Bottom line: trying to fit Renn into a modeling box (or any woman) isn't healthy. She's beautiful, she takes great pictures, she's a model...but apparently being a size 8 is too confusing for the industry (or fashion media) to comprehend.

There must be way more size 8 women buying clothes than size 2 women in the real world...mustn't there? Why isn't body diversity taken more seriously in the industry? A diverse group of women modeling clothing for a diverse client base seems to make perfect sense to me.

Heavy Kids: Media Blames Working Mothers or Lazy Dads? One Guess

2011-02-11T06:08:00.000-05:00

Yep, you guessed it right, blame working mom's instead of lazy dads who perform on average 9 hours less housework per week than their spouse. Here's an article by Lindsey Bernstein discussing a study that found that the children of working women gain an average of two pounds a year more than children of stay-at-home mothers (a minority of mothers, btw). The fact remains, Americans rely more and more on processed food; processed food contributes to weight-gain; women are blamed for feeding their families crap even though both mothers and fathers have an equal responsibility to the health and well-being of their children. The facts also indicate that men enjoy more leisure time per week and they perform less housework per week than their partners. Therefore, all this blaming of women for fat kids is really misplaced. Men need to step up to the plate and start cooking healthier meals for their families, or performing other housework chores so that their wives can switch from that chore to cooking from scratch....that and of course we need to insist on healthier processed food, quit subsidizing corn/soy/meat industries oh, and overall our work-life balance relationships...but in the meanwhile, get cooking gents!

Top Secret Rosies

2011-02-10T06:03:00.000-05:00

Top Secret Rosies Trailer from LeAnn Erickson on Vimeo.

So cool! Here's a link to the site dedicated to "Top Secret Rosies"--female mathematicians who helped win WWII with their dedicated efforts to completing complex computations that made precise bombings from the air possible. Of course, their work was hidden and sidelined long after the need for secrecy eclipsed.

In Hollywood Your Pants Size is Everybody's Business

2011-02-09T06:56:00.000-05:00

Jenna Fischer from The Office is on Redbook's cover for March and in it, she tries to explain why so many starlets feel pressure to stay thin. Essentially, in Hollywood, you are often wearing other people's clothes--whether its a fitting for a role, a red-carpet loan or a shoot for a magazine or interview--your clothing size is something that has to be constantly communicated. You have to let your agent know your dress, pant, swim suit, shoe and bra size, and if that changes, he/she has to communicate that with a host of other folks. She cites this situation as a major factor as to why women in Hollywood try to maintain their "known" figure. Okay, I see this perspective...but does it really explain why so many try to be 0 or 00? This clothes borrowing/fitting arrangement probably does play into the overall formula as to why thin is so crucial to the culture of Hollywood, but it doesn't explain why being a size six is seen as obese, let alone a twelve. Kyle from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills talked about being a size four and how fat that is considered in LA--how sad and deranged is that? Being seriously skinny is not at all the same as being healthy. As a matter of fact, being underweight is more dangerous than being overweight (not obese, but overweight). The carved-out Hollywood ideal (which then gets smoothed out in photoshop) is not healthy for most men and women--only about 10% of the population has difficulty maintaining a BMI over 18 and many if not most Hollywood starlets have underweight BMI's. I'm glad Ms. Fischer is explaining why she feels pressure to stay thin (I don't know how thin she is and in terms of Hollywood starlets, she certainly seems to be thin but not carved out...so not please don't take my post in general to be a snark at Ms. Fischer). This kind of interview is another glimpse into how Hollywood works and that's helpful when trying to untangle our media images and body expectations as a culture.

Stem Cells Save Lives

2011-02-08T04:53:00.001-05:00

This is such an interesting short clip from National Geographic about a new technique for growing new skin for patients with severe burns. Its really interesting, but kinda gross--so watch at your own discretion. The kinds of stem cells used in this experimental treatment are from adults--from the victim him/herself. So much of the stem cell debate really surrounds fetal stem cells, but its important to realize that even adults still have and rely on stem cells from their everyday growth, healing and natural processes of the body.

The More You Know!

Crystal Renn Feels Pressure to Live Up to 'Plus-Size' Label

2011-02-08T00:40:00.002-05:00

People.com reports that Crystal Renn feels the pressure to fit the plus-size ideal:

"I think that by placing a title on my head, which is 'plus-size,' and then the picture that these people have created in their mind about what plus-size actually is, I've basically failed [your expectations] just with that," she said.

I not wishing her to have an eating disorder again. Yet, when she was taking appearances on panels about being a plus size model she signed up for this. There are so many plus size model in magazines and we don't know there names.

If you make money off of being overweight, I am going to call you on it. You can't have it both ways. Also, if you don't want to be judge on your appearance everyday, don't choose the job of model. Go work at a place with a uniform so the goal is to look like everyone else.

Audrina Photoshopped to Look Less Boney & Thin

2011-02-07T04:09:00.000-05:00

Audrina from The Hills was photoshopped for her new Bongo ad to look less boney & severe. This is actually some pretty subtle work actually. Its not one of those obvious photoshop disasters where the subject's neck is unusually long or she's missing part of her leg, etc. Rather, we only know about this touch-up job because some unedited pictures from the "behind the scenes" cover for In Touch were leaked. Remember ladies & gentleman: pretty much everything is photoshopped now and the reality is: reality ain't good enough for the modern marketer.

In this extended view, they actually added belly-roundness--interesting, no?

Graceful Aging & A More Youthful You

2011-02-06T06:10:00.000-05:00

I always find it interesting how terms like "graceful aging" and "a more youthful you" are used in order to sell beauty products that seek to minimize age and aging. Its only graceful if its hidden, I guess. Botox has really changed mass-media images of women over the age of 40, I think. Plastic surgery leaves that tight, taut look whereas box simply freezes the face in place. Botulism, the agent used in Botox is one of the most deadly poisons on Earth, yet even I have though: "well, maybe when I'm in my late 40's or 50's, just to see." Bad thought, Thealogian.

Natural Health has an article up right now on four "health boosters" that is couched in these terms--they will lead to a more youthful you--yet the four "health boosters" they are talking about are really good things: RESVERATROL, OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS, ANTIOXIDANTS, and CoQ10.

All of these compounds or health boosters can be found in sustainably grown, healthy foods. What is there to object to? Well, I don't object to their very helpful definitions (pasted below), but its the how these nutrients are talked about that make me feel uncomfortable. They are these utilitarian things that will combat the reality of aging--the reality, really, that your body changes over time. The truth is, you will age and you will die one day and eye creme rich with resveratrol will not make you immortal, but in the meantime, eat some chia seeds and leafy-greens, their omega's and antioxidants are good for you. Eating things that are good for you is not just about your face, but about how you feel, inside and out. Like the Fat Nutritionist recommends, check into your self-understanding of "feeling good" and "feeling like crap" when you eat, when you exercise, when you get enough or too little sleep. Paying attention is the first step toward feeling well.

Health Booster Definitions:

1. RESVERATROL

What it is: A powerful, naturally occurring polyphenol found in the stems, seeds and skin of red wine grapes, and other plants.

What it does: Research suggests that resveratrol boosts energy; inhibits the development of cancer (including breast cancer); may help prevent heart disease; could be linked to a reduced risk of imflammation and blood clotting; and according to a Harvard University study, it might even slow the aging process. Resveratrol also helps fight environmental toxins to keep skin supple and reduce wrinkles.

To eat: Peanut butter, red grapes, red and white wine, red grape juice, blueberries, cranberries

2. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

What they are: Unsaturated fatty acids that the body needs to function and stay healthy.

What they do: Omega-3s can reduce your risk of heart disease by 30 percent; they soothe inflammation; regulate cholesterol; alleviate symptoms of depression; and help keep your skin glowing.

To eat: Salmon, rainbow trout, flaxseed, walnuts, tuna, anchovies, sardines

3. ANTIOXIDANTS

What they are: Nutrients (vitamins and minerals found in foods) as well as enzymes(proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions). Vitamins A, C, and E are biggies.

What they do: Antioxidants help delay aging and reduce our vulnerability to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; they also help reduce inflammation and may stop pigment formation (think age spots); antioxidants also help keep skin bright and supple.

To eat: Spinach, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, prunes, raisins, kale, pumpkin seeds

4. CoQ10

What it is: Ubiquinone, also calledCoenzyme Q10 or CoQ10, is a natural, powerful antioxidant that’s naturally produced in the body. It’s found in cell membranes in the heart, kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, adrenal glands, and the pancreas. Coenzyme Q10 is essential to our health, but unfortunately, our body’s level of the enzyme decreases with age.

What it does: Like all antioxidants, CoQ10 can help boost heart health and cut your cancer risk; it can also reduce the incidence of migraines by up to 50 percent, and fights periodontal disease. It keeps skin firm and smooth, and reduces the severity of wrinkles.

To eat: Pistachios, walnuts, soybean and rapeseed oil, mackerel, tuna

Bridesmaids

2011-02-05T16:38:00.000-05:00

I don't know about this film...lots of funny ladies, good; stereotypical female rite of passage, wedding/bridesmaid duty which could go either way; gross fat chick who is probably a lesbian? That worries me. This may be the chick version of The Hangover or something new altogether. I'm glad that this many funny ladies are being featured and let's be honest, I'll probably see it, but probably at the discount movies or via Netflix.

What about you, dear readers? Are you interested in the ladies being as gross and far out as the boys? Can Judd Apatow do the woman's perspective? Let me know in the comments.

Over the Plateau!

2011-02-04T13:41:00.003-05:00

So, despite waking up this morning with a blistering swore throat, I did wake up to some good news--I'm over my weight-loss plateau!!! Since September, I have lost 40lbs, but then for most of half of December and all of January, I was on a plateau, as these things happen. I decided not to weigh for a couple weeks, kept up the diet and exercise and this morning I weighed and I have lost another 3.6lbs!!! So, hopefully, I won't hit another plateau for another 36.4lbs (tee-hee, I know that's not likely), but come on body, at least give me another 20lbs--I promise to do the work. So, that picture? Its supposed to be a plateau, ominous, right? Well, plateau's end--even if it takes six weeks. Concentrating on following a "healthy lifestyle plan" rather than a short term diet is what got me through it. I have decided to only exercise at a level that I can maintain while balancing other aspects of life. Maybe if I did do the biggest loser type exercise routine I would have come out of this plateau earlier, but I don't think that I could maintain that on my own. What I can do is go to the gym 2-3 times per week and integrate home exercise, like a long walk or pilates, along with a structured yoga class once per week. I can workout 4 times per week, sometimes three, sometimes five, but seven days a week for four hours is not something I can or will do, so why make weight-loss habits unsustainable? It just leads to a feeling of failure. Instead, I have set up a reasonable goal for myself and met it. I was patient these past few weeks and now its paid off. Also, I should mention that because of the 40lbs loss, I had a little hair thinning which freaked me out. I had my vitamin levels and protein checked out by my doctor and I'm fine. She said that losing 40lbs is a shock to the body and that thinning is normal, but should subside. My hair is no longer shedding excessively (and it wasn't really really bad, just noticable in the shower and on my sweater). The shedding and plateau co-insided, so my body needed a break so that's why I didn't freak out during this plateau. I needed to listen to my body, concentrate on nutrients, proteins and vitamins and just be patient. I'll probably not weigh for at least another week because too much weighing increases my neurosis--I know that some people weigh everyday--but for me, I want to listen to my body in other ways, while still having some idea of the number on the scale. I knew that it was probably okay to weigh this morning because my jeans were getting loose again, if they felt tight, I probably would have waited another week so as not to discourage myself. Also, the elliptical is getting easier again, so adding a little weight there for a better work-out is also an indicator that perhaps weighing is safe again. Anyway, I hope to be able to report another pound or two next Friday.

Yoga: TODAY!

2011-02-04T04:21:00.001-05:00

Check out this description of the yoga class I'm taking today:

Yinyasa

– Yinyasa features both the active movement of vinyasa, as well as the complementary practice of yin which focuses on release of the deep connective tissues. Like a satisfying exhale after rapid breathing, the passive poses of yin feel deeply relaxing especially following the strength-building poses typical of vinyasa. The goal of this class is to help build focus and strength, and then to enjoy the relief of passive stretching and a more peaceful mind.

Yes, darnit, I'm going to YOGA. Today...Friday, the day that is today, I'm going to yoga, grrr....okay, I haven't been to a yoga class in a while. Wish me luck and courage to actually do it. I'll report back...

Update: I actually wrote this post Wednesday and scheduled it to appear on Friday as extra encouragement to go to yoga. I really do want to go to yoga, but I woke up with a blistering swore throat this morning. I am going to go to this yoga class next Friday instead because my throat hurts, I'm stuffed up and this in not the best state to show up for a yoga class for the first time. I was starting to get a swore throat yesterday afternoon, but I still went to the gym, but now I think I might actually be sick or on the precipice. I gargled salt water, I'm having tea--what else can I do, dear readers, to stave off this cold? Leave your best advice in the comments!

Government’s Dietary Advice: Eat Less

2011-02-03T05:52:00.001-05:00

On Monday, officials at the USDA "issued their bluntest nutrition advice to date: drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda, fill your plate with fruits and vegetables and cut down on processed foods filled with sodium, fat or sugar. More important, perhaps, the government told Americans, “Enjoy your food, but eat less.” Many Americans eat too many calories every day, expanding their waistlines and imperiling their health."

The clear message that half of your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables is certainly one to be applauded. But in an era of super-sized portions, what does "eat less" really mean? There's talk that processed food manufacturers will be pressured to reformulate many of their recipes in order to reduce the sodium present in their "food products," but what about restaurants' super-sized portions? For many Americans, the super-sized portion is the new normal and they mimic those restaurant portions at home. How can we scale down the new normal to reasonable portion?

Its really interesting to learn that Americans eat 180% of the allowed solid fats and refined sugars (see chart above). Its equally interesting to see that even with the recent push toward more whole grains, Americans are still only getting 15% of the recommended goal and only 59% of the recommended vegetable intake (although, that is still a 'failing grade' it is higher than I might have thought). I think that the USDA might benefit from using some of Michael Pollan's vocabulary: "eat real food, mostly plants, but not too much." Real Food is what we are talking about here, but to invoke that kind of language would have the processed food manufacturers up in arms because nothing threatens an industry more than showing that the emperor has no clothes. So, the USDA follows a half-measures approach, food plebes are still confused and foodies are still a small segment of the population, but hey, consider committing to one day of "real food"--nothing processed or packaged--one day per week and go from there.

READ THE NYT SOURCE ARTICLE HERE

A Food Manifesto for the Future

2011-02-02T08:49:00.002-05:00

Mark Bittman has an excellent article up on the NYT opinion's page today. Read it in its entirely HERE. His primary suggestions for creating a sustainable food-system for the future includes ending subsidies for corn/soy which generally end up as feed for animals and as "food products" for processed foods. He also suggests splitting up the USDA, which I think is rather novel. Essentially, the USDA is in charge of both making healthy food recommendations for Americans and promoting our big agri-business, these missions are in conflict with one another as they are currently constructed and health loses to profit everytime. He'd like to see those subsidies transferred to non-monoculture farms that seek to feed people directly, through food rather than food products, and the encouragement of farmers and super markets in food deserts. There are a few other excellent suggestions, but one that his suggestion for ending mono-culture, big-ag doesn't hit on is a major problem nobody seems to talk about: ending the presidential primary season starting in Iowa. No candidate, Democrat or Republican would make it through the Iowa primary to stand a chance in the later primaries, if he or she advocated the ending of subsidies for corn/soy...it just wouldn't happen and this is a problem for the rest of us. The current primaries are a problem, where states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina get to dictate who the rest of the states get to consider for their candidates. I like the idea of regional primaries where the first set in the regional primaries would rotate--so, a Northeastern region, Mid-West, West, Rocky/Plains, Southeastern, Southwestern, etc.

As it stands right now, this reform movement cannot come out of presidential politics because Iowa is too powerful, let alone big agribusiness in general. Anyway, check out Bittman's article.

Lisa's 8 Week Winter Jump Start: Week 6

2011-02-02T06:49:00.000-05:00

This Jump start has been a struggle for me, but now I am in the zone.

Successes

1. Working out 6 of 7 days
2. 2/2/11 down 4.8 lbs

Setbacks
1. 1/26/11 up 1.8 lbs

Total lost from start 8.4 lbs for a weight of 242. ( This is my 10% mark from when I started Weight Watchers)

I am more motivated to keep weight going down to prepare to look awesome on Spring break. This motivation is really working for me. I never figured me to be so vain.

How Cute is this Blog

2011-02-02T04:14:00.001-05:00

Quick recommendation, I'm enamored with a blog I only recently found (through a link from a blog I love, The Kim Challenge). Anyway, my new blog to read (since I recently gave up a not to be named blog because all she does anymore is post a daily recipe of a dessert...okay, an occasional savory recipe, but its all mainly desserts and no longer food or lifestyle blogging...its her blog, so her focus, but its seriously lost its luster)....oops, sorry about the tangent, but the new blog to read is:

Pink of Perfection

Boycotting Palin for February

2011-02-01T08:42:00.003-05:00

So, like Paris Hilton a couple years ago, there's a planned boycott of all things Sarah Palin for the month of February. Considering that yesterday she tried to make the revolution in Egypt ALL ABOUT HER, I'm on board with this boycott, that includes (starting after this post), not writing about her or CLICKING ARTICLES ABOUT HER elsewhere for the month of February. Of course, there is always the possibility that she does something so enormously offensive, I may have to click and read an article, but hopefully not. Remember, the more attention she gets, the more money she makes--she's got quite the con going right now and though she may very well be considering running for president, the vast majority of Americans would never vote for her, thank goodness, so she will probably not be the Republican nominee in 2012.

Update: Okay, one last funny at Palin's expense:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

From Russia With Gov

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog</a>

The Daily Show on Facebook

Disinformation Campaign Targeting African Americans and Planned Parenthood

2011-02-01T05:00:00.001-05:00

There's a really good article up on Jezebel HERE about a disinformation campaign aimed at African Americans and Planned Parenthood to equate abortion with slavery and to suggest that African Americans are being targeted by Planned Parenthood for "elimination" through abortion. Planned Parenthood is being pro-active in trying to get the real statistics out, that African Americans account for 15% of their clients and that the general population of African Americans in the US is 13%, which is within the expected population range of use. Also, what stuck out at me is that the organization already has several well-regarded African American healthcare workers and health policy folks in their organization, so there isn't some sort of "white organization seeks leaders in black community" implication of this story--they are a highly diverse organization that seeks out people of many races and genders to do their good work as a matter of principal (and as a matter of greater effectiveness). Read the whole thing, but one other thing that really shocked me was a statistic about infant mortality: "The African-American infant mortality rate is more than twice that of white infants. College and graduate school-educated African-American mothers have a higher infant mortality rate than white mothers who didn't finish high school." You read that right, white high school dropouts are less likely to have their children die in the first year of life than a GRADUATE SCHOOL EDUCATED African American Woman. I'm not saying that high-school drop outs deserve to have their babies die, but education is linked to longevity, access to healthcare, general health, etc. Why are highly accomplished women of color experiencing infant death for their children more than would seem plausible? Gotta be racism...seriously, it has to be...unless somebody can prove to me that black babies are super delicate and white babies are made out of that airplane black box material that survives plane crashes...its gotta be racism.

Watch the Fat Nutritionist Eat

2011-01-31T15:35:00.006-05:00

This is pretty clever. In order to show "normal eating" the Fat Nutritionist, Michelle, actually eats what her readers suggest. Above you'll find her eating pickled herring and below a Cadbury Creme Egg. One might seem pretty healthy/gross and the other naughty/good, but neither are good/bad or any other socially constructed dichotomy -- rather, they are food, containing nutrients and calories in kind and varying proportions. Much of her work is devoted to dispelling this notion that foods are inherently good or bad, but rather food. One of my favorite recent posts of hers focuses on how certain foods make her feel during certain part of the day, like she mentions feeling good after eating oatmeal with some sort of fat in the morning. Below after the Cadbury video is an excerpt and link to that post, which I must recommend you go on and read in its entirety.

Excerpt

"If you’ve never, ever stopped to think about how food makes you feel after eating it, maybe you’ve been so caught up in the shame-spiral of restraint and disinhibition that you haven’t had much mental real estate to devote to the idea. Or maybe you’ve been eating according to externally-imposed nutrition rules and guidelines without really pausing to notice how you actually feel when you eat that way. Or you’re in the midst of the great divorce. And you’re not alone.

But learning how food makes you feel, both immediately and a little way down the road, is a fundamental part of learning how to care for yourself.

In my mind, food that makes you feel weird or off — no matter how good it tastes right now — isn’t food you can unconditionally love. Amounts of food that make you feel bad aren’t amounts of food you actually want to eat. And if you find yourself continually sacrificing your well-being for the lovely, immediate feel and taste of food, it’s a sign that something has gone wrong."

READ IT ALL HERE

Don't Let Republicans Re-define Rape

2011-01-31T14:54:00.006-05:00

Disgusting, seriously disgusting. Shakesville shares resources to fight HR3 HERE and Amanda Marcotte once again lays it all out on the table HERE. The official (and seriously misleading title of the bill) is: “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.” Here's the thing though, tax-payer funded abortions are already illegal, except in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother. This bill seeks to do a couple disgusting things: outlaws PRIVATE INSURANCE MONEY from covering abortion, therefore, if you are currently employed through your insurer, you might be covered for abortion services, but after this legislation, that would be banned. Secondly, it seeks to redefine RAPE to "forcible rape" which means that rape by intimidation, rape by drugging, rape by a superior, statutory rape, 'date' rape or acquaintance rape and pretty much any rape in which you weren't beaten nearly to death wouldn't count as rape at all. This also seeks to exclude the incest provision if you are over 18 and raping the mentally incompetent is totally hunky-dory as well. Over 9,000 women every year become pregnant from A REPORTED RAPE. Just let that sink in...how many women become pregnant and don't report the rape? We don't know, there can only be estimates.

Back to the first provision, banning private insurance from paying for abortion: most women who seek out an abortion pay out of pocket, afraid to leave a medical record of shame or that an abortion would get back to their employer, which is sad in and of itself, but when abortions are generally paid for by private insurance, they tend to be the more difficult, surgical abortions. The later term abortions and they are often had because the woman's life or health is in danger or because the fetus isn't viable. Those abortions can be very expensive and they are generally due to crummy luck. Often those are wanted pregnancies, but circumstances turn them into tragedies. Now, those tragedies get to bankrupt families because some self-righteous Republican perverts want to punish dirty sluts because that's their favorite way to pay back their rabid misogynistic base. This isn't about life, its about female sexuality being used as the whipping boy of the culture wars.

Update: Another excellent article breaking this situation down on Alternet, again by Amanda Marcotte, read it HERE.

Bristol Palin Nixed From Abstinence Panel Following Student Protests

2011-01-29T06:48:00.001-05:00

Radaronline reports: Bristol Palin was dropped from talking on a Washington University panel next month following protests by the University’s student body.

The protest was the cost of her appearance in relation to her expertise in Sex Education. I agree for a fee of $15,000- 30,000 to talk about your personal teen pregnancy is outrages. I am sure there are teen moms near Washington University for a much more reasonable fee.

I am not knocking Bristol's hustle, but with limit student funds at universities, I think these questions need to be asked.

Lisa's 8 Week Winter Jump Start: Week 4 & 5

2011-01-28T06:52:00.001-05:00

This Jump start has been a struggle for me.

Successes

1. Working out more consistently.
2. Trying new exercises.
3. 1/19/11 down 1.6 lbs
4. I am losing inches down 3.5 inches since the start of this Jump start

Setbacks
1. 1/26/11 up 1.8 lbs

Total lost from start 3.6 lbs for a weight of 246.6

I am more motivated to keep weight going down to prepare to look awesome on Spring break.

Vote Summer

2011-01-22T20:24:00.000-05:00

Beyond Birth Control Commercial

2011-01-22T10:36:00.004-05:00

So, I've seen a couple feminist sites making fun of this Beyaz Birth Control commercial. First off, yes, Beyaz is just Yaz but with folate...which is something pharmaceutical companies do all the time. They tweak their original drug, rename and rebrand it and then start the marketing when their old product is available to be copied for cheaper, generics.

I like this commercial--yes, it looks like it takes place in some other-worldly Sephora--but it emphasizes that birth-control relates to your life choices and working toward goals. THIS COMMERCIAL SHOULD BE AIRED DURING TEEN MOM ON MTV EVERYWEEK. All of these women are grown and they're working toward goals like graduate school, buying a house, a dream trip to Paris, etc. Yes, birth-control does help women work toward goals like these (and that's why the anti-sex brigades want it made more difficult to access). So, I'm giving the makers of this commercial Kudos of the Week! (Although, of course, that doesn't mean that I think anyone should drop their current birth-control brand and sign-up for Beyaz. Stick with what works for you).

Is MTV's Skins Child Porn?

2011-01-21T13:32:00.002-05:00

Radaronline reports:

MTV's new drama Skins is generating a ton of controversy for the network, as critics claim its' racy content of sex, violence and drug use among minors -- using actual minors in the cast -- might be in violation of federal child pornography statutes.

I think this show shines the light a little to brightly on the out of control teen behaviour. I believe most teens experiement and on a much lower level then these teens.

Also, I beleive parental supervision needs to come in play of the teen actors as well as the teen viewers.

Steve Jobs: Does Being a CEO Terminate Your Medical Privacy Rights???

2011-01-19T09:58:00.003-05:00

So, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc., is taking another leave of absence. Last year, he left while undergoing a liver transplant (though that wasn't disclosed until after he returned to work) and this time it remains undisclosed, though speculation is that he has cancer. Above, you'll find two pictures of Mr. Jobs, the larger one was taken prior to his first medical leave and the second is a more recent photograph. Yes, he's lost weight.

Apple stock has suffered in the wake of this recent announcement, Mr. Jobs has led the company in its recent technological triumphs, including the introduction of the i-lines (ipod, iphone, ipad, etc.) which have had a huge impact on technology and quite frankly our culture at-large. Valley Wag, a Gawker technology publication, among others has called for Apple to "end their code of silence" as regards Jobs' health. His health and the health of Apple, that line of reasoning contends, is intertwined and must be shared, for the sake of share-holders and Apple-dependent techies. It is true that succession is not clear at Apple Inc.--at least to the outside observer--but just because Mr. Jobs is a CEO, does that make his medical privacy rights less-than yours or mine? If he were the President of the United States, perhaps yes, but Mr. Jobs is a private citizen and his medical history and current medical condition is his concern, his families' concern and under his doctors' care. But, I'd like to point out that he has enjoyed certain other rights, not afforded other plebes--he has taken more than six months off. Under the Family Medical Leave Act, you can take 12-weeks, unpaid for your health crisis or your family members (that's good), but it isn't nearly as indulgent as Mr. Jobs' leave-time has been. Half of all bankruptcies in this nation are due to medical expenses and much of that is due to inadequate health-insurance, but when your illness leaves you too sick to work and unpaid leave is all your must be granted legally, millions of Americans suffer.

I wish Mr. Jobs well and I hope he recovers.

Must Read: A Weight-Loss Skeptic Discusses Losing 60lbs

2011-01-19T09:33:00.003-05:00

Check out this Alternet article HERE by Greta Christina. Here personal blog is HERE. I love this chick, seriously. She's been mindfully engaged in losing weight in keeping with "my feminist ideals and my resistance to body fascism." She's also keen on underscoring how evidence based research on weight, health and successful weight-loss influence her body-acceptance philosophy, but also supports her endeavors to lose weight. In other words, fat-acceptance and losing fat aren't necessarily contradictory. Fat Acceptance is mostly about embracing the full humanity of fat people--mooing at them on the street, sidelining them socially, making jokes at their expense and of course, institutionalizing their oppression by supporting discriminatory policies (such as charging them more for Health Insurance as the State of Alabama tried to do a few years ago for their fat employees) is wrong and thus fat-acceptance folks (who may or may not be fat) should work toward equity for the fat in the public square (and the tv-sitcom). Greta Christina and Jennette Fulda are the two well known(ish) figures who both discuss fat-acceptance AND weight-loss for health (and who have both lost significant amounts of weight) while also remaining allies to the fat community.

Currently, I've lost about 40lbs, though I intend to lose more and I may slip into the "passing as thin" territory in another 40lbs, but I will always be fat-identified. To me, that means working toward fat-acceptance and evidence based health advocacy. I've said it before, I don't think you need to be thin to be healthy, but I don't think that it is right to say that morbid obesity doesn't have an impact on your health either--obesity impacts your health over time and although I or my friend over here or over there, may have a healthy blood pressure and blood lipid panel right now, overtime, the chronic wear and tear of obesity leads to general declines in health and mobility. These are general facts, but obesity does not diminish my humanity or the humanity of my fat brothers or sisters. Working for walkable, livable cities/towns; subsidized fresh fruits and vegetables (and de-subsidized corn/soy/meat) as part of agriculture policy; flexible work schedules and pro-health policies in work places that aren't discriminatory; truly UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE--these are the kinds of policies that will help to erase the "obesity crisis," not another weight-loss competition show. Health is collective as well as individual. Peace

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Charlie Sheen's Former Madam: Lindsay's A Drug Addict, Charlie Just Likes To Party

2011-01-15T06:59:00.001-05:00

Radaronline Reports the comments of Heidi Fleiss:

She said: "Look, people need to leave Charlie the f**k alone. Do they really expect him to go to church when he is not working?

"He is the highest paid actor on television -- on a really popular show -- and he always delivers by turning up on time and putting in great performances, and that's all that matters.

"There is no comparison with Lindsay Lohan because she is not functional and is an addict with a sickness - I should know because I've been to rehab several times too.

"It's not as if we see Charlie smoking a crack pipe or anything, the guy just loves to party, and people just don't seem to want to accept that.

I don't agree with her opinion, but many people have the thought if a person is successful then you can't have a problem. As long as people are successful they don't want to address destructive behaviour.

Oprah: Depression Made Me Eat 30 Pounds of Mac 'N' Cheese

2011-01-14T06:16:00.000-05:00

US Magazine reports, after the failure of her movie "Beloved" Oprah states:

"I ate about 30 pounds worth," she reveals. "I'm not kidding! It's the only time in my life I was ever depressed. I recognized I was depressed because I've done enough shows [to know], 'Oh, this is what those people must feel like."

I feel bad for her, but for all realness I couldn't afford the cheese on 30 lbs of Mac & Cheese.

Lisa's 8 Week Winter Jump Start: Week 2 & 3

2011-01-13T00:40:00.002-05:00

I have been gone shy. Sorry for the delay in post.

Successes

1. 14 days in a row of vitamin

2. Mindfully walking to reach 10,000 steps a day.

3. 1/5/11 done 3.4 lbs

4. 1/12/11 done 0.4 lbs

Total lost from start 3.8 lbs for a weight of 246.6

I am more motivated to keep weight going down to prepare to look awesome on Spring break.

Carrie Fisher New Celebrity Spokesperson For Jenny Craig

2011-01-13T00:37:00.001-05:00

Fisher -- who weighed 105 lbs. while making the Star Wars triology and at her heaviest, ballooned up to 180 lbs. -- says she's struggled with her weight for the past three years, and hopes to lose 30-pounds in 2011.

Fisher will appear in Jenny Craig's new advertising campaign that launches in February 2011.

We will see how this goes. So for now I will just wish her luck.

Biggest Weight Stories of 2010

2011-01-04T06:29:00.000-05:00

Since I linked yesterday to Jezebel's Photoshop Hall of Shame gallery, I thought I'd also share this link to their "The Biggest Weight Stories" of 2010. Jezebel does a great job of covering both the social injustices committed against fat folks and a balancing of health-related articles or health-trend pieces. They are very balanced on this--they have a strict anti-body-snarking policy, but they aren't HAES fundamentalists. Most of these articles, we at FFFB linked to or discussed ourselves during 2010, but they all bear re-hashing.

Women Laughing Alone with Salad

2011-01-03T14:59:00.003-05:00

This is hilarious, its a gallery of stock photos of women "laughing alone with salad" or fruit/veggies. Seriously, what's so funny? Is salad really that charming? Its just like those tampon ads with women jumping around in gauzy white skirts--so cliche that after a while, you're wondering? "Why arent' I thrilled to be alone with healthy food?" "Why don't I feel like wearing white while menstruating...isn't that the ideal to strive for in period protection?"

Anyway, checkout the gallery HERE.

Photoshop's Hall of Shame

2011-01-03T11:16:00.004-05:00

Checkout Jezebel's gallery of the Best & Worst of Photoshop's Hall of Shame HERE. I don't know why every time I see these side-by side comparisons, I'm still shocked. Its all fake people! But how "they" (they being the overlord masters of the image industry) choose to photoshop individuals is culturally significant. Take, for example, the lightening of Gabourey Sidibe's skin or the cinching of Christina Hendricks' waist or the air-brushing out of wrinkles or even smile lines. These things don't happen in a vaccuum and it isn't just about air-brushing out a pimple or a scar--its erasing race, body-type and age. Let's not also forget that in many instances, the photoshopping of images produces non-human bodies--limbs missing bones, limbs missing period, necks incapable of holding up oddly large heads, etc. In order to "idealize" these people are made into cartoons.

Lisa's 8 Week Winiter Jump Start

2011-01-03T06:11:00.000-05:00

So school is out. I have more time to focus on health. For this Jump Start I will focus on healthy habits and not weight loss.

Here are the two major goals I am focusinig on for Week 1-3:

1. Yoga twice a week.

2. Multi-vitamin daily.

Starting Stats 12/29/10:

Weight: 250.4 lbs

Arms: 15.5 in

Hips: 53 in

Bust: 48 in

Waist: 43 in

Thighs: 29.5 in

Book Review: Badass

2010-12-29T06:38:00.001-05:00

Badass: A Hard-Earned Guide to Living Life with Style and (the Right) Attitude by Shannen Doherty (Hardcover - Nov 2, 2010)

This was a tongue-in-check self help guide. The main focus points are:

ownership of actions
integrity
self-esteem
self-respect

The book is full of pictures of Shannen and top 10 lists. So it was a quick easy read.

The book was inspirational to me. It gave me the idea not to take myself so seriously. It endorsed my life internal dialogue of "live your life with our regrets".

I respect her take on the book by only describing her experience and not doing a tell all book about her ex-cast mates.

Upcoming Post in 2011

2010-12-28T06:54:00.000-05:00

In 2011 Lisad00 will be posting on the following:

Vintage Beauties
Jump Starts
Book reviews

I start an 8 week Jump Start tomorrow so be on the look out.

Sweetest Proposal: Sir, you're doing it right!

2010-12-16T17:22:00.002-05:00

Check out this video a man made to propose to his girlfriend--they've been together 10 years and yet the energy and love shown through this video is as fresh as puppy love.

Madonna's Gym: First of Her Franchise in Mexico City

2010-12-13T11:57:00.006-05:00

So, have you heard about Madonna's new project? She's opening a gym in Mexico City--a Madonna Themed Gym--and she's looking to expand (ala Gold's Gym or similar). Yes, ladies and gentlemen (gay gentlemen presumably), so you will be able to over-develop your upper-arm muscles like the Doyenne of Pop, her Madgesty. Apparently, early on they had problems with proper permits, but that has since be rectified.

According to her personal website, she's hoping to open "Hard Candy" Fitness Centers around the world. They will be high-rent, luxury gyms with top-drawer facilities and presumably snooty staff (okay, I made that last bit up).

From here website:

"Throughout her career Madonna has been devoted to fitness and well being and has worked out in literally hundreds of gyms around the world. As a result, she has a strong vision on what the ideal exercise, dancing and work out environment should be."

Also from the website: "Chris Dedicik, Hard Candy’s Managing Director commented, “Hard Candy Fitness is a one of a kind experience merging fitness with entertainment. We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our members.” Hard Candy Fitness members will experience the very best in innovative training methods including private, group and dynamic training including traditional classes such as Zumba, Latin Moves and Cardio Kickboxing as well as new programming designed specifically for Hard Candy Fitness. The fitness center will also include a Bike Studio, a Mind Body Studio featuring The Great Wall, where members can practice BarWorks, Sculpting, Capoeria and the newest trends in Yoga. It will also house a healthy alternative Juice Bar/Cafe. The lavish locker rooms built with the finest materials will be a sanctuary for members who will be able to relax in sauna and steam rooms. Members will also benefit from state of the art cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, more than 60 pieces of strength equipment / free weights and the best group fitness, functional training accessories and brands including PreCor, Hoist, Free Motion, Nautilus, Hammer Strength, StarTrac, AbCoaster, and TRX suspension training."

I wasn't able to find anything out about the price per month (or annual price--don't high-end places often charge for the whole year at the get-go?). One thing is clear: Madonna is an excellent business woman and this is another cog in her empire. I'm not sure if I would ever sign-up for a high-end gym, let alone a Madonna themed high-end gym (is $$$ really worth it to avoid the riff-raff of gym-going folks?), but I will admit that her music is excellent to work-out with. So, what do you think readers? Will her venture succeed?

Bethenny Frankel "Used to Get Drunk and Binge," Then "Starve"

2010-12-08T06:22:00.001-05:00

US Weekly Magazine reports:

"I used to get drunk and binge on everything in the deli, and then do a juice fast or starve, then do it all over again," the 40-year-old Bethenny Getting Married? star tells the January issue of Redbook (on newsstands December 21).

But when the natural foods chef learned she was pregnant with daughter Bryn in 2009, Frankel was determined to not overeat "out of emotion."

Well it seems that Bethenny Frankel is getting real about how she stayed thin. I am glad she now has a more balanced way of eating. I hope other can learn to change their ways before they do permanent damage to their bodies.