Cinderella's Waist - What a Waste!

In the new Cinderella movie the actress who plays her was so tightly strapped into a corset that she couldn't eat.  The end result - a ridiculously tiny waist.  I guess they were trying to make her look like a cartoon character.  Well it worked.  This movie will be seen by young girls the world over who may aspire to that impossible physical standard.  

This is important.  What we show young girls influences them.  Even as a not so young girl, I am still in envy of the 1% of the population that look like models, and criticise my thighs accordingly.

This article, by Nina Funnell shows just how far Disney went.  And in a current picture just how normal the actresses waist is.  Shame on you, Disney.  You had an opportunity to do great good and you blew it.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/rendezview/does-cinderellas-tiny-waist-really-matter-you-bet-it-does/story-fnpug1jc-1227296013160

She's not a cartoon character, she's a human being.

Positive Psychology works.

Once again I'm writing about how we beat ourselves up way too much.  Why again, you say? Well, I'll tell you.  Because self-downing is associated with unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life.  What do a lot of people do when they're unhappy - they eat to soothe these negative emotions.

Ruth Ostrow of The Australian recently wrote about Positive Psychology and taking small, manageable steps to change our "stinking thinking".  What not to do - use affirmations.  We just don't believe them.

Have a look at what she has to say.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/columnists/positive-psychology-take-everything-step-by-step/story-e6frg7g6-1227280249537?sv=e3621114971c61320261e730c3efd222

I've always enjoyed her writing on all sorts of topics, and you might, too.

One of the key approaches in positive psychology is expressing gratitude.  All too often we focus on what is wrong (e.g. my thighs are enormous) rather than what is right (I was kind to someone today).  And, of course, you don't need to eat to soothe good, positive emotions, do you?

Thin is in, thinner is "inner"

Cate Campbell is a great athlete, a great swimmer, one of the world's best.  And yet she, too, succumbed to the "thin is in", "thinner is inner" mindset that the media bombards us with.  Her struggle is documented in an interesting article from The Daily Telegraph.  She talks about how, despite training for four hours per day, she ate only 1,000 calories.  And how much she was praised for losing weight.  

A comment in Michael Phelps's book helped turn that mindset around.  Apparently, he says "skinny swimmers aren't good swimmers".  Which would seem self-evident and yet it really conveys just how powerful those pressures are.

Speaking as a woman who has ALWAYS wanted to be 10kg lighter (no matter what my weight was) I can understand and empathise with that dissatisfaction.  I spent years on a permanent diet (and only gained weight - diets don't work).  Now my focus is on healthy at my size - get the cholesterol down a bit, schedule time for exercise rather than doing it when everything else is done, eat a mainly wholefoods diet and cut down on alcohol.

Gotta go now - I'm walking with a friend shortly.

Here's the link to the article about Cate Campbell.  What do you think about these relentless pressures to be thinner and how do you cope?

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/cate-campbell-dives-into-body-image-debate-after-falling-victim-to-its-destructive-powers/story-fni2frsp-1227291544847

Thunder Thighs - A Love Story

There used to be an advertising phrase "Thin Thighs in Thirty Days".  Well after more than thirty years (and even a bit of liposuction in '97) my thighs are still thunderous.  Enormous. Wider than a mile. etc. etc.  

What they are NOT any more are a source of shame and embarrassment.  After years of hating them, I just got tired.  And I figure life is too short to hate a part of your body, which is really saying you hate yourself.  (The main complaint I have is that they rub together and in the summer can cause reddened, sore skin and even blisters.  To ease the "chub rub" I have a vast collection of bike shorts to suit varying weather conditions. So I manage.)

How do you feel about your thighs?  Are they the part of your body you hate the most?  Or do you have it in for another part of your anatomy - bottom, tummy, upper arms? Where is it?  

Here's a suggestion.  STOP.  Just stop.  Your thighs aren't the problem, you are.  Not other people - you.  It is what you believe other people think of your thighs that causes you angst.  And you know what - they don't often think of your thighs (if they do at all).  And if you are comparing your thighs to those you see in magazines, don't.  Photoshop has been around for 25 years and our perception of reality has been skewed considerably as a result.  See http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-culture/how-25-years-of-photoshop-changed-the-way-we-see-reality-20150220-13k2ey.html.

So I was delighted to see this article by Kat George on the Huffington Post.    Go look in the mirror and get some acceptance.  Love is the message.

10 Reasons to Love Your Thighs Exactly the Way They Are.

It's well-documented and generally accepted that women have a love-hate relationship with their bodies (and many men do too, but this one is for the ladies, especially because I happen to be a lady, so that's the body relationship experience I can speak to). It isn't good for our souls nor the way we see ourselves to be constantly bombarded with images intended to prescribe beauty to us, mostly based on the entirely false idea that every women should possess near-impossible proportions and near-unachievable flawlessness in order to be attractive. For every Photoshopped thigh gap dream sold to young girls by a media that fears and loathes a real woman, there are a thousand tears shed over a smattering of cellulite. It's a disproportionate rationing of perfectionist imagery to sadness caused, and it's not fair.

Now don't get me wrong: If you're naturally thin and beautiful or if you work hard and eat well and earn rock solid abs, then power to you. The point I'm trying to make is this: It doesn't matter if there's an inch of space between your thighs or if they mush together from your vagina to your knees. Either way, your thighs are beautiful because thighs inherently are beautiful (and useful and strong and a whole bunch of other amazing things that are wholly not dependent on their size nor shape). And it's high time we started celebrating our bodies the way they are, because we're stuck in them, and as the old saying goes, "If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with." Here are some reasons why you should love your thighs exactly as they are.

1. Because you have them

The best reason to love your thighs is because they exist. They are real. You can feel them. You can walk around with them. You can touch them and look at them and put them in nice jeans or show them off in cute dresses. Be happy to just have them.

2. Because they're makeshift mittens when it's cold

It's cold outside, right? Your thighs are perfect right now because when you're sitting around, trying to get warm, you can press your hands in between them and huzzah! Instant warmth. I also like to sit cross-legged on the couch with my feet pressed into the nooks behind my knees for some of that sweet thigh warmth.

3. Because maybe if you're lucky, you can jiggle them like this:

HOURS OF FUN RIGHT THERE!

4. Because they're good cushioning for when you're wrapping your legs around someone's hips

I mean, who doesn't want some padding between their thighs and the hips of the person they're thrusting the bits between them into?

5. Because someone, somewhere loves them

You shouldn't need validation from other people, but think about the fact that SOMEONE (or maybe even many someones) loves or have loved your thighs at some point. Public opinion can't be all wrong, now could it?

6. Because if you're ever facing off against a Bond villain, you could get them in a powerful head lock with your formidable thighs and save the day

What? It could happen.

7. Because they make bike riding more comfortable

Does anyone else get sore between their legs when they're riding a bike, or is that just me? Well, the thicker thighs you have, the more insulation you have to keep your bones and muscles safe from those painful bike seats.

8. Because have you ever heard Nicki Minaj complain about her thighs?

Every woman in the media is idealized to within an inch of humanity, but there are also role models who tend toward a slightly less airbrushed or supermodel-esque image. Look at them. Look how their bodies are shaped differently. Look at how Kim Kardashian was pregnant and huge and flaunted her body in tight dresses. Look at Nicki wobble her fatty bits. Look at Lena Dunham naked and shameless. Think about how you see these women's bodies as beautiful and perfect even though they're not like Gisele's and start to think about your own body the same way.

9. Because you deserve to be loved -- all of you

You deserve love. Your thighs, big or small, deserve love. Unless you're a cold-blooded murderer or torturer of kittens. If either of those are the case, please carry on with self-loathing. Otherwise, love yourself and your thighs because you're not only worthy of it, you owe it to you.

10. Because they're beautiful

Look. I've never seen your thighs. Chances are I will never see the damn things. But I can tell you one thing about them for sure: They're beautiful, and you should look at them every day in the mirror and tell them so. And then stick your hands between them, because it's freezing.

Images: helga/Flickr; Giphy (6)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bustle/10-reasons-to-love-your-thighs-exactly-the-way-they-are_b_6663512.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&ir=Healthy%20Living

Fat Oppression.....Thin Prejudice.....discuss

I came across this very interesting article today.  It gives a broad-based perspective on discrimination and prejudice on both sides of the weight spectrum.  I know, I know, most overweight or obese people think that thin people have all the benefits and none of the downside of being viewed and judged by other people.  Not so.  This article reveals one woman's war with the "body police" and she also reveals her compassion for those who face similar things because of excess weight.  I strongly urge you to have a read and a good long think about the inner "body police" that we have: both for ourselves and for other people.  

http://www.mamamia.com.au/wellbeing/thin-privilege-fat-shaming/

What is the lesson I hear you say.  What about being less judgmental?  What about not judging a book by its cover?  What about saying "what's eating you?" rather than "what are you eating"?  How about a bit of compassion - for self and others?  Peace - out.

The author is Melissa A Fabello and she tweets at @fyeahmfabello.  I on the other  hand don't tweet from @psych_c (still haven't worked it out - doh)!

Also see Linda Bacon's book "Health at Every Size" - she too talks about thin privilege.

If you love McDonald's french fries - you need to read this.

Often I blog about attitudes towards eating, weight and emotions - throwing in my own "two cent's worth" and maybe a couple of jokes.

But this, apparently, is no laughing matter.  Most people on the planet like french fries (or chips as we call them in Australia).  I personally love home made oven chips with mayonnaise (thanks Belgium for that fantastic idea!). And I have fond memories of my Dad's brilliant shallow fried chips - always a treat in a chip butty (i.e. chip sandwich).

As the author of this article, Melissa Breyer (@MelissaBreyer) says "fries are usually potatoes, oil and salt".  Not at McDonalds.  They actually contain 14 ingredients.  That's 11 more than appear to be necessary in the real world.

Actually, now I'm really scared because I've mentioned McDonalds in a negative way - I feel they may have agents lurking everywhere.  I'm going to move to an undisclosed location and change my name and appearance! I'm even too scared to show a packet of McDonald's fries in case they sue me (tee hee).

Here's the link to Melissa Breyer's article on www.treehugger.com.  Its there ready for you to digest(!) it.  Tell me what you think.

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/anatomy-mcdonalds-french-fry.html

The Big Lie of Obesity - Big Being the Operative Word

The best laid plans of mice and (wo)men.....  I resolved to blog weekly starting in January and that resolution fell by the wayside almost immediately.  (Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.)  I will try I am committed to blogging weekly and you can throw rotten tomatoes at me if I don't.  So here goes.

Obese people are lazy, stupid and lack self control - discuss.  This is the prevailing attitude of that minority of people who are at a so-called "normal" weight.  And, sadly, so many overweight and obese people believe the same gross generalization.

Alan Christianson, an Arizona-based naturopathic medical doctor blogs for the Huffington Post Healthy Living section.  His article "The Big Lie of Obesity" caught my eye because he is challenging the prevailing attitude.  And his article is backed up by journal references.  

He says "To solve this (obesity) crisis, we first let go of the lie that obesity is a matter of choice. That lie is wrong, it is hurtful, and it distracts us from real solutions."

Check out the full article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-christianson/post_8519_b_6054642.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_302742

Christianson tweets at www.twitter.com/alannmd 

I suppose if I am embracing social media (see my Facebook page Eat, Think and Be Merry) and this blog, I should at least try and understand what Twitter actually is!!!

It is the 2nd of January - how many resolutions have already fallen by the wayside??

Greetings dear blog reader and Happy New Year.  Astonishingly, it is six months since I posted anything here and what a half year it has been.  I moved into a new house and I now have an international homestay student from China living with me.  But the main thing that has kept me away from the keyboard is actually two-fold.  With a combined age of 186.  Yes, my mother and her best friend - both aged 93.

My mother Margaret, we now know, has Alzheimer's and has had some mini strokes.  She has emphysema and is quite frail and thin.  As a result she's no longer able to stay in her flat.  Getting to this stage has been an uphill battle. Lots of wonderful services were instigated to help her stay at home but to no avail.  Getting her sorted has been almost a full time job.  And Joan, her lovely friend who is like my second mother, is as sharp as a tack but her body is truly failing her.  Getting her the assistance she needed, too, was plenty of work.  Their age and needs were major factors in my moving from Melbourne to Adelaide one year ago.

The good news is that I am ready to set up my private practice in Adelaide and expect to really enjoy the face to face connection with clients who I may be able to help around their issues with eating, weight and emotions. And I'm really looking forward to blogging more and posting more fun and thought-provoking stuff at my Facebook page - Eat, Think and be Merry.

So back to this new year - 2015.  What do you want to achieve?  How will you do it?  When will you know you've reached your goal?  What's the time frame?

The vast majority of New Year's resolutions are forgotten within two weeks - don't let that be you this year.  I have some help for you, courtesy of the great people at Pritikin (www.pritikin.com).  They have some fantastic suggestions with ways to achieve them, such as:

1.  Write your goals down… in detail. List both Health Goals and Life Goals.

2.  When first starting out, keep life simple.

3.  Emulate those who have succeeded at long-term weight loss.

4.  Put something you value on the line.

5.  Keep life fun.

Here's the link:  http://www.pritikin.com/how-to-keep-new-years-resolutions?ibp-adgroup=newsletter

I'd love to hear what your New Year's resolutions are and how you are going to achieve them.  I'll tell you more about mine next time I blog.