I have been learning that blogging is just as serious as losing weight. I am seeing more and more that I have to discipline myself to write as much as I do eat and even work out. With that said I have learned that I don’t have to write solely when I am overcoming something or feeling defeated. I want to be real with you and share what goes through this curly head of mine! I figured there are probably things some other overweight woman (and even men) think about but never talk about it, so I think I WILL! I am going to share things that have stuck out to me about being overweight.
So, you know what ruffles my feathers?
Shopping.
Now…you must know that the art of shopping is what I look forward to. I love looking for a good deal and please know that when I am serious about shopping I will look like a million bucks with a $15 dress on! Totally not ashamed to admit that! What bothers me about shopping is the terms stores use. Usually, when you go to a store you stroll pass the Junior section which is usually for younger girls with lots of fun colors and bedazzled material, then you pass woman’s clothing that is a bit more sophisticated yet still fun and then it’s the dreaded….PLUS size section. Really? REALLY? Dear Stores, do you have to have a sign that says “PLUS” in CAPS? Bad enough I can see the clothes in that section looks 60 years older than the juniors section as opposed to the possible 15 year separation give or take. I don’t need the huge PLUS sign over the area I am in, I think people know I won’t be in the junior section when they see me.
PLUS… Who ever thought that would be a good phrase to coin overweight and in MANY cases women of AVERAGE weight? I don’t think it’s fair. Why is it that a woman who wears a size zero doesn’t have to shop in an area titled “MINUS?” I am not hating on any women out there…we are ALL created in HIS image and I have heard of many women who have a hard time gaining so please bear with me. I guess I just don’t like the term itself. I mean why can’t the signs say something like “Lovelier” or “Pleasantly?” I DON’T KNOW! I am not in the market of advertising for my peeps but I’m definitely in that demographic! With all the political correctness in this generation can’t there be a better term then “PLUS SIZED?” Seriously.
If you are “PLUS” sized then I know you see all the nice clothes in the “Junior” or “Women’s” sections, right? You see all the latest styles and for ¾ less than what you would pay! Oh…sometimes I think if I were thinner, clothing would be cheaper and I would wear EVERY style! I would wear everything!!!! I regret to inform that this is not the case in the good ol’ PLUS section! ALMOST everything in that section has flowers the size of your head, special V shaped cut blouses that you never see a thin woman wear and sleeves that were probably found when Shakespeare was around! REALLY? Why? Just because I am not at my ideal weight doesn’t mean I have to dress like your great great granny!
Also, when have you EVER seen a men’s clothing section called “PLUS?” They have “Big and Tall.” If someone tells me a guy is big I think “oh he must be tall or football player-ish.” If you say he is tall I think “Oh that’s great! My husband is tall and I love him!” What if a men’s section was called “PLUS?” Well, I asked my husband that question and he thought it would be an incentive section, such as; you would buy clothing PLUS get something else! After that comment I have nothing more to say about this!
Lastly, let’s say “PLUS” was a good term and I loved it. Would that imply if you aren’t shopping in the PLUS sized section you, my friend, are average? Do you want to be average? Shouldn’t you be upset about that too? I say we should all revolt! Ok…maybe that is exaggerated.
Psalm 139:13-14 says:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
In the end, I thank God for HIS love, because as with my scale…those signs don’t define me. I am so glad JESUS is my rock and has helped me truly love myself, despite myself! HE is so gracious…I know when HE hears my prayers I am not HIS PLUS Sized daughter…I’m just HIS!
Be encouraged today…We can do this…The best is yet to come!
Madelynn
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32
Donny’s definition of PLUS made me chuckle out loud! I wish all the girls in the world would allow their self image to be crafted by those verses in that Psalm. I tell you, this cutting and self loathing would be eradicated for good! Love you and continue fighting the good fight!
Love you! Thank you for your support and I agree wholeheartedly, if we viewed ourselves as God does we would love ourselves A LOT more!
I love you mad! I heard your voice the whole time I read this :))
I just gotta say that I be hating on the “plus” size section at target. I’m always seeing clothes that I wish we’re smaller that I could rock. I usually like it better! And sometimes if its in clearance I’ll buy it and put a belt on or take it in! I do the same with maternity even tho I’m not pregnant lol. And target changed the sizing method too which I thought was clever! Gotta love some tar-jay!
Thank you!!!!!!!!! You are too funny….you always liked those Tar-Jay luscious sized clothing…LOL!!!
Thank you for posting. You have no idea how much this has encouraged me. I am so happy for you, and all that you accomplished.
In reference to your post, I agree 100%. The other thing that is great is, the maturnity section is usually next too or in the PLUS size area. Really!? My pregnant body is so huge you need to place me in plus? Also make me look horrible with the giant floral and deep v neck lines? Ummmm just a little note, deep v makes my already large chest look ten times bigger.
For someone who is only five feet tall my weight looks even worse on me than the average 5’5 woman. Things hurt on my body that shouldn’t. When I walk by a floor length window in the day time, and see myself from the side, I don’t recognize myself.
Now yes, I know I just had a baby, but this sucks. 200pounds is not a weight that should be on a small five foot woman. I look 40! I hate it, and even though I lost three pounds last week I want to roll up in a ball, and cry. Loosing the weight this time around is taking a very long time, and I hate it.
So when I read your blog I come back to reality. Thank you.
Sorry for venting, but I do feel this is a safe place to do it. Many of your followers are in the same boat as myself, and I hope that this helps them move forward as well.
You are a very gifted, and anointed woman. Your hard work, and words of honesty have helped in more ways than you would ever know.
Your in my prayers. 🙂
Kind of a funny story:
I was in a dept store and couldn’t find the “PLUS” section. I asked a woman who worked there…”Oh, that’s upstairs with furniture and appliances.”
Kind of comical, kind of not. I totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m so excited to keep up with your blog, I’m also on a weight loss journey and need all the motivation/inspiration I can get. I love this idea. 🙂
Erika! Thanks for sharing! You and Kristen are absolutely right! It is disrespectful…our clothes should be with everyone else’s. And lets not talk about the prices! I have to take out a loan to shop! I hope you are blessed!
What is even worse is when they relegate you to a different FLOOR OF THE STORE (I’m looking at you, Macy’s and JC Penney). It’s like the women’s clothing is upstairs, but the PLUS section is downstairs. Are we not women? Is this not clothing? Why are we in the freaking basement?!
YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I CONCUR!!! Kristen we need to revolt! Ok…revolt isn’t the right thing to do. But I agree wholeheartedly. (p.s. you are funny!) 🙂