Lyz:

Killer post! Superb! You hit all the weight/guilt/judgment/self-esteem issues absolutely dead on. (Even if I do hate you for being a (gulp) size 4 )--lol...

Thanks, for the nice comment! Don't worry, give me a year and I'll be up to "normal" because I'm still drinking real coke. I'll get mine, just you wait.

Insightful post Lyz, having been skinny and then 'fat' because of two pregnancies I know exactly what you are talking about.

But I have come to terms with my body. Its all about eating right, excercising and enjoying life. If that means I will remain overweight or what they call plump so be it.

Till the time my health chart remains green I'm gonna go and enjoy an occassional midnight ice cream or a cream soda.

And, hey if you want to loose weight go ahead don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Its just that by losing weight you are messing with their perception of you and thereby moving them away from their comfort zones.

Its all about being happy at the end of the day.

Oh! and I'm against all kinds of junk foods for kids and I hardly have any at home.

Swingingpuss says:
"Its just that by losing weight you are messing with their perception of you and thereby moving them away from their comfort zones"

Exactly! I love this. And Lyz, this was a good post.

I know I need to eat healthier, and make the exercise routine more -- routine

For me it's such a freaky paradox. I know losing weight will be easier on my joints, and at times I feel my body betraying me, part of being 40something I guess. Yet with my 7+ years in martial arts training - I have more confidence in the things my body can do, than I ever did when I weighed less. Reflexes, balance and power are qualities I can depend on now.
I also suppose being more rounded blackbelt could be a role model for other women

It really is about fear of being fat or being skinny. Our weight defines who we are and losing pounds or gaining pounds is equivalent to losing ourselves. It both makes sense and is sad all at the same time.

You've tackled a bitter divide with sweet-and-sour writing. We'd all be better off if more of the people who obsess over this issue would obsess with your compassion and insight.

Victor, thank you!

I recommend Mireille Guiliano's *French Women Don't Get Fat*. I don't consider McDonald's to be "real" food. In fact, I see greater similarities between our American diet and that of battery chickens. Our concern shouldn't be with our weight but with the quality and taste of our food. And refusing to consume for consumption's sake.

I agree! Food should be enjoyed not abhorred. That would be a start at fixing America's problem. We view food as an inconvienence, the awful thing that makes us fat or as a comfort mechanism, never as something to be enjoyed.

Great job. Very nice writing.

Thank you very much.

Awesome post! Two of your many excellent points really rang true to me:

I can relate completely to the competition that arises on those cardio machines in the gym. If it's slow and I'm alone I don't run as hard or fast. Put one woman in the room with me and the game is ON (especially if she's skinnier than I am!).

I also know the feeling of obsessing about other women's bodies- how far those clavicles protrude is some measure of beauty. ODD!

Thanks for this post!

No, thank you :)
I too am uber competitive. There is more tension in our house when we play scrabble than there was during the entire cold war.