No Shame in the Game

20 Jan

photo courtesy of Annie Leibovitz/Vogue

I remember when I was a teenager, and my mom and I were shopping at the mall. I was wearing an oversized gray sweater and gray leggings with tennis shoes (trust me, I have elephant brain). As we were browsing the juniors section I hear a guy talking to his friends about the “big girl” looking at clothes too small for her. I tried not to pay too much attention to it, thinking he’s talking about someone else. But as I picked up a dress, he spoke a little louder about how I was so big I looked like a cloud (the gray) and how I needed to just put the dress down. My mom was out of earshot and on the other side of the section, so I just left and went to her.

I’ve lived most of my life well above 150 pounds on my 5-foot-2 frame. My skin has hardened to such comments, but my tolerance for bullying behavior like that has become vapor thin.

In the past few months, body-shaming has become more popular. Cloaked under the guise of drawing awareness, businesses like Lululemon, organizations like PETA and even feminist blog Jezebel have made it their business to point out their perceived flaws with a larger body type.

Last week “Girls” multi-hyphenate Lena Dunham appeared on the cover and in a nice spread for Vogue magazine. Vogue, like most fashion magazines, is known for extensive photo retouching of photos. A longer arm here, a slimmer neck there, lower lighting right there, it’s a thing that happens. But Jezabel, which has been an ardent supporter of Dunham’s for some time, offered $10,000 for unretouched photos.

Our desire to see these images pre-Photoshop is not about seeing what Dunham herself “really” looks like. …This is about Vogue, and what Vogue decides to do with a specific woman who has very publicly stated that she’s fine just the way she is.
—Jezebel’s editor-in-chief Jessica Coen

Within a couple hours, the site got the images and Clawd’ve mercy, the images were retouched! Coen herself admitted that there wasn’t a big difference between the originals and the retouched ones. But she stood by her argument that this was about Vogue painting an unrealistic image. You what else is unrealistic? Makeup, pushup bras, high heels, spanx, hairspray, the lighting on “The View.” Everyone does something to make themselves look or feel better. Instagram feeds are full of filtered images to put people in the best light, but Jezabel has no qualms about that. Vogue has been doing this type of thing for years.

I see no problem with retouching as long as it’s not ridiculous. There’s one shot of Dunham where her arm is missing. There are some shots Vogue uses that make people look like bobbleheads. But there’s no need to shame Dunham’s body type, which isn’t totally uncommon to see, to make a point about a misperceived wrong.

Recently animal-rights group PETA was accused of fat-shaming by several media outlets for its “Plan V” campaign, PETA’s attempt to enter the reproduction debate with it’s own agenda. PETA wrote a letter to “population-stabilization” group Population Connection after a report came out that Plan B contraception may not work effectively on women over 176 pounds.

Fat shaming is not now, nor has it ever been, an effective way to get women’s weight under control. Weight is a very personal thing. It is probably the only outward aspect of a person that is still considered open for debate. It is also something that can be very hard to control.

One person’s beliefs shouldn’t dictate how you live your life. Further more, PETA should have done more research before suggesting that women over 176 pounds need to just go vegan so they can use Plan B. The animal-rights organization issued a statement after being called out for fat-shaming, saying that it only wanted to offer another option. The people behind the original statement didn’t take into account how sensitive an issue weight is.

If you ever feel yourself on the receiving end of this type of bullying, understand that whoever’s throwing it at you doesn’t really know you. Someone who loves you wouldn’t make you feel ashamed of being who you are. Whether you’re a work in progress or at the end of your weight-loss journey, it’s no one’s right to tell you how to look or live your life. Do you, boo!

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I’ma Be Your Motivation

16 Jan
someecards.com - I exercise just to make you feel bad about not exercising.

Hey, it’s a reason.

I talk a lot on this blog about the necessity of keeping up with your workout. I’ve also talked a lot about how I’m not perfect and my love of Goldfish crackers and comfy sofas make this hard, but I still persevere.

I do this to show that I did not wake up like dih. I am a flawed human being. I go through phases, like most people, where I’d rather sit and clear out my DVR or binge-watch “Breaking Bad” than go to the gym. Hell, it took me five hours from the time I got up this morning to start writing this post. You know what I did in the meantime: nada. I read a couple chapters of a book; I walked my dog; I watched “Dexter” on Netflix; I took a nap. None of those things, besides walking the dog, was something that needed to be done. I just didn’t feel like it.

And that’s a problem that you’ll face on your journey toward your goal. Some days, no matter what, you just won’t feel like it. Everything under the sun sounds more appealing than exercising. You know what’s more fun than spin class? Puppy cuddling. What’s more appealing than Zumba? Cookies and a “Game of Thrones” marathon.

So how do you get past the allure of being sedentary?

1. Just Go. Really, that’s the first step. It’s always the hardest, but it’s the most important. Not many people ever really want to go to the gym unless they’re being paid for it. If it’s not your job, then you have to find some other motivation. Even though I may have stayed up too late the night before or the dog was hacking all night, I’ll force myself out of bed and go to the gym. I tell myself that the 20 minutes I’m going to do on the elliptical are more than most people will do all day. Those 20 minutes can turn into 25. Then I hop on the stationary bike for 15 minutes, which turns into another 20. By then I’ve done 45 minutes. And since I can be a little OCD, I’ll do 15 minutes on the treadmill to make it a full hour. All that by just getting out of bed and going.

2. Plan Ahead. If you’ve already made your meals for the week, got your clothes set out and scheduled time, there’s little in your way to keep you from doing your workout. Sometimes we need a little structure in our lives. So if you can’t function without time limits, this is the step for you. Preparation is necessary in any weight-loss plan, anyway. You don’t go scuba diving without instructions. You don’t start a weight-loss plan without knowing what you’re getting into. Just prepare yourself, and you’re ready to stay on track.

3. Make It Quick. You don’t have to go hard to get in a good workout. I have some exercise DVDs at home that are only 30 minutes. That’s it: 30 minutes! What else are you doing today that you can’t take 30 minutes out of your day? Really, I’m asking. Some of you have kids and spouses and mortgages. I have none of that. I have a 12-year-old dog who sleeps all day in my apartment. It’s easy for me to take time out for a quick workout. Out of the 24 hours in the day, is every minute of them accounted for? If not, try to consolidate about 30 to do something good for yourself.

4. Reward Yourself. I think this comes from childhood, but I sometimes feel I don’t deserve treats until my chores are done. For example: I can’t leave to meet friends until my home is straightened up. I don’t get dessert until the dishes are in the dishwasher. I haven’t earned that new dress until spin class is over. For me, it’s about earning points for a treat. So what do you do to treat yourself? Maybe you want the 10-minute massage after your mani-pedi. Well, you’ve got to earn it.

5. Take Pride in Doing Something Others Aren’t. I know this is bad, but it helps keep me motivated. When I leave the gym and have to go to the grocery store, there’s a little bit of pride that comes with my sweat stains. That pride comes from knowing I look awful, but I look awful for a reason. There are people at the store who look bad because it’s Tuesday. You’ve earned your worn-out look. Wear that badge with pride.

6. Vision/Pinterest Board It. What’s the light at the end of your tunnel? A good way to stick with any plan is to have a set of goals to achieve. If you plan on being beach-ready by summer, the best time to start is now. If you have a wedding in the fall, remember that fittings start in the summer. Put up pictures of what you want, be it a vacation in Nice or a destination wedding in St. Barths. Keep a reminder to yourself that you have a goal you need to achieve.

Women’s Health magazine compiled a list last year of a few things people need to do to stay on track. What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

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Just Keep Spinning

14 Jan
spin

It’s just a bike. It’s not gonna hurt you.

Do you remember when you got your first bike? I learned to ride on my brother’s old bike, which wasn’t very comfortable. But my dad ran behind me, holding on to the seat to keep me steady while I pedaled away. Then he let go and before I knew it he was calling from down the street, telling me to come back.

That was fun. That was almost 25 years ago. Once upon a time, bike riding was fun. Now I don’t do it anymore. But I still get somewhat of a thrill from the pedaling motion with my new workout obsession: spin class.

Let me tell you, I LOVE spin. It is some of the hardest work I’ve ever done, but I feel so fulfilled when it’s over. The classes I take are about 45 minutes long and you’re going hard from the time you start to the time you leave. I’ve had several instructors and have never been disappointed.

I started taking spin because I was getting into a rut with running. I still love to run, but the knee pain and need for something different had me looking for something else. I took my first spin class when I was living in Atlanta. The instructor would call out instructions like we were on the Tour de France. “You’ve almost caught that cyclist in front of you!” “We’re going down hill!” “Last climb of the ride!”

It was a little strange, but still fun. And I walked away dripping, which meant I’d done the right amount of work. I take classes now pretty regularly in New York. I go once or twice a week, usually on the weekends, now that it’s freezing here.

Spin helps me keep my leg muscles strong, especially during the winter months when I refuse to run outside. But one of the added benefits has been what it does for core strength. I have no abdominal muscle definition. When you’re cycling on the bike, you have to engage your core. You’re moving between three positions, sometimes at 15-second intervals. Your core is what keeps you from falling over, not the toe cages.

Another added benefit of spin is the music. I have great instructors with great taste in music. One class will have us spinning to the oldies, another will be all hip-hop. I find myself singing along, when I’m not struggling for breath. Plus, you’ll find yourself trying to spin to the beat.

If you’re thinking about a spin class, I suggest first going to see what the studio looks like. You don’t want to be too crowded…unless you like other people’s sweat dripping on you. Also, you’ll be stretching and sometimes getting off the bike. You need room so as not to step on your fellow spinners.

Some people bring special shoes to spin, but I just use old running shoes. The special shoes are for people who are regular cyclists, not just spinners. There are some bikes set up for the special shoes, so have at it if that’s you.

The classes I go to are short, but the time still flies by. You’re in constant motion from the time you set up your bike. It’s encouraged to not stop until the end of class. It’s harder to catch back up. Before class starts, you’ll see people idly spinning away at the lowest level just to warm up.

Don’t let gymtimidation stop you from taking a spin class. It can seem daunting, but every new workout is daunting. Few people are perfect at it, especially at the beginning. Just keep spinning and you’ll get the hang of it.

photo credit: Riviera Fitness/French Riviera via photopin cc

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I Did It: Aerials

10 Jan

arial_7“I Did It” is a feature on I’m Skinny, Now What? where I will tackle a new workout or diet and give you my opinion. Wish me luck, because I don’t like changing my routine.

So this is the story all about how my life got twist-turned upside down. Literally.

I like a little bit of thrill in my life. I love roller coasters and water slides. I love that ride at the amusement park that where it slowly takes you all the way up only to drop you. I even did an “I Did It” last fall for the sole purpose of flying through the air.

So when my friend and co-worker, Willa, asked me to join her and another friend, Kim, in an Amazon Deal for an aerials class, I didn’t hesitate.

What I Learned

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As I expected, aerials was so much fun…and so much work. Your body is the only resistance you have. If you’re like me and haven’t done much resistance training, it will be difficult. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing instructor.

Meet Kiebpoli. She is possibly the most patient person alive. Several of the women in my first class had done aerials before. They were climbing up the ropes and silks with complete ease. They looked amazing as they’d tie themselves up in knots only to roll out of it a couple feet above ground.

We were all there to learn something different. I was there to just learn the basics, which included climbs and inverts. As someone who doesn’t spend most of her time upside down, the thought of doing it was slightly daunting. Seeing is one thing; doing is another.

I was able to do the warm-ups, which involved me dead-hanging from the silks and lifting my knees to my chest. Yay, me!

Inverts were another story. To do that, I had to hold onto the silks and flip backward into a spread eagle. I’ve never been able to do a jumping spread eagle, even when I was a dancer. I always blamed my sizable posterior for this. Then I met people with bigger butts than mine who could rival the girls in cheerleading competitions. Welp. Suffice to say, after a several attempts, it was on to something else.

The sequence I enjoyed the most involved the hammock (a knot tied near the bottom of the silks). You don’t sit in the hammock but lean your hips into it and flip backward with your legs spread, toes pointed. From there you can do all kinds of poses. That one, I got the hang of.

In my second class, Kiebpoli showed me how to do more with the hammock invert. I was able to knot myself in the silks and sit up into a spread eagle. That was a lot of fun.

Because my phone was acting a donkey, I was only able to get photos and video of my first class. Below you’ll see my friend Kim, who’s been doing aerials for more than a year now, taking instruction from Kiebpoli on a new sequence.

Verdict

I absolutely recommend this. There’s a beauty in the artistry when a sequence is completed. Prepare for achy muscles, though. My shoulders and upper arms were sore for a few days after the first class. The second class, though didn’t cause as much discomfort. But epsom salt baths will become your new best friend.

If you’re in New York, you can take one of the several classes Kiebpoli teaches each week. I know I’m going back to work on my climbs and standing inverts.

Editor’s note: I fixed the spelling of aerials throughout.

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Recipe: Pepper and White Bean Soup With Rotini

8 Jan

Pepper and White Bean Soup With Rotini

Time: about 15 minutes to prep, 25-30 to cook

vegetable_whitebeanIngredients

  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 8 ounces frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry
  • 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, then sliced crosswise
  • 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil, crumbled
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 6 ounces dried rotini pasta
  • 15-ounce can no-salt-added navy beans, rinsed if desired and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra-virgin preferred)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

  1.  In a Dutch oven, bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the bell pepper and onion stir-fry, zucchini, tomatoes, basil and red pepper flakes. Return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the pasta using the package directions, omitting the salt and oil. Drain in a colander.
  3. Stir the beans into the bell pepper stir-fry mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the heat. Stir in the olive oil and salt.
  4. Put the pasta into soup bowls. Ladle the soup over the pasta.

Courtesy of American Hear Asssociation Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook (third edition)

Verdict

This is one of my go-t0 recipes. It is so simple, so quick to make and so tasty. If I don’t have the frozen stir fry in the freezer, fresh onions and green pepper work jut fine (and taste better). I also don’t have a dutch oven, so a regular sauce pan does the trick. Spicy food is my thing, so sometimes I can go overboard with the red peeper. And don’t forget the olive oil and salt at the end, unless you have high blood pressure. Those two ingredients at the end really help, though.

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