There was an interesting commentary in the UK edition of the Huffington Post a few days ago that gave some insight into the “Catch 22″ some plus size women may face.  As the new year and my big 5-0 approaches it got me to thinking about what I want to focus on.

Recently, celeb chef Nigella Lawson has lost a lot of weight. Prior to her weight loss, she made a big to-do about “indulging yourself in the kitchen because it makes you sexy.” Since her weight loss, one journalist called her a liar because she lost weight. (Check out this Broccoli and Stilton Soup Recipe from Nigella’s web site!)

Nigella Lawson.com

Admit it? Were you upset when Oprah lost weight several years ago? Do you identify with celebrities that are plus size?  When they lose weight are you mad? Do you call them liars?

The central issue: As a plus size woman, how do you strike the balance between the pressure to be thin and having a positive body image regardless of your size?

Journalist Shane Watson sheds some light on this most controversial topic. While I agree on what she says, I find that it misses one thing: health.

As young girls, from a very young age we are bombarded with messages about body image and the pressure to be thin. As we grow, we understand on one level that we are more than just what our size says, but we cling to the “ideal” and succumb by adhering to the cycle of dieting and losing weight as we strive to get to our “correct, normal size.”

Watson says the solution is to promote positive discrimination in the form of plus size promotion and positive body image.  That is great and that is what the plus size industry is doing very well. But, we must, must be sure to make sure that somewhere in our positive discrimination message includes the message to be healthy at every size.

More as it happens!

Jodell

Happy Monday!

Lots happening today! You’ll want to check out our Fashion Flash at Menopause Makeover with their Self Confidence Awareness Campaign and learn more about how to celebrate your uniqueness during menopause.

I really love this site! Maybe it’s because I can relate! How about you?

So, check it out!  Great new tips at  Menopause Makeover on beauty, fashion, fitness, diet and more!

Yes, we are a plus size e-commerce site. Yes, our livelihood depends upon plus size women who see our clothes and decide that they cannot live without what we have to offer and they want to purchase and do so.

I am always on a quest for good health and fitness and those two topics are not size specific. Some days are better than others and I have a plan and do my best to stick to that plan. Sound familiar?

I am motivated, energized, and inspired by others’ success and willingness to take charge! Talking about plus size fashions and working with our customers always reminds me that It is up to each one of us to put our best foot forward and strive to be our best selves. I just hate seeing low self-esteem and low confidence when it comes to size. Sometimes one thing makes a difference: It can be real simple: A new outfit and dressin’ up! Or more of a challenge: workin’ thru some things with a professional or losing weight to feel better.

I have a saying, “Fix it or forget it.” That phrase has gotten me out of a lot of negative self-talk, reminded me that I am in charge, reminded me that it is about my health and well-being and that of my family and that today, “it” is whatever “it” is “and I have the power to change it.  If I need help, I ask,  because that is part of my job –to–fix it or forget it.

So, when Sommer Johnson, Publisher of Gemini Magazine, emailed me and told me about her goal to get healthy I was intrigued.  She is part of a really cool project called Mamavation
where a fabulous team of trainers, nutritionists, and cheerleading moms help one mom lose weight to
become the healthier version of herself.

And so we can all learn from her experience, Sommer will blog, vlog, and tweet her progress every step of the way.

As Sommer said in her email to me, “There are several reasons for me wanting to do the project.  One of the main reasons is that I’m currently at 295 lbs and I feel awful.  I will NEVER be a size 2, and between you & me, I don’t want to be (size 14/16 would be great!).  What I do want is to be a healthy, curvy, more active woman, wife, & mom.”  She is committed to helping herself and to inspire others to get motivated to get healthier than they are right now.  In order for her to win, we need to vote for her so that the mamavation team will choose Sommer as their Mamavation Mom.

OH–AND—If you have not done so, Check out Gemini Magazine. It’s a go-to, must have resource for Fashion, Beauty, Health, Lifestyle, and Celeb Features. Well organized and easy to read, Gemini Magazine’s message to, “open minds, one cover, one article, one beautiful, sophisticated, professional, curvy, woman at a time” is right on!

And, so I don’t forget. Go Vote! Go Sommer–Cheers to your quest to Fix it! And remember, How it is is how YOU decide it is going to be!

We’ll be cheering you on!

More as it happens, Jodell