Chorus, I'm Not A Skinny Bitch (Just A Compassionate Woman)

There are more and more songs that I enjoy only for the chorus and it makes me with I had a cool talent with mixing music like that girl in Pitch Perfect.
When I went to start writing this blog post I couldn't think of anything other than remnants of my conversation with Alex about an article on 'Fat' and this song.

What started the conversation on body weight and such was this article. While it is written well, the science behind it isn't there. If you know me at all, I am not a fat shame-r nor am I a skinny bitch. However, an article like this is so misguided. Yes, I want people who are over weight to find and hold onto their confidence and be happy but there is nothing healthy about being unhealthy. The linked article's second 'fact' is what really burst my bubble. The title of number two's section?: Fat people don't all have poor eating and exercise habits.
Um... what? No. Just no. People who are excessively overweight (obese) do indeed have either bad eating habits, poor to no exercise/activity habits, or both. If you change what you eat and how much you eat-- that alone is going to change your weight (and your health). Adding more activity to your life will also change your weight (and health). While some people are 'lucky' with high metabolisms and can eat as much as they want (some have trouble gaining weight), others will feel the weight of unluckiness.
Now obesity has nothing to do with luck. Yes, a person's entire family may have a history of obesity but generally people eat the same exact food and adopt the same habits as their family--thus contributing to them following suite with the "genetic obesity." Logically, it has nothing to do with genetics but everything to do with habits. If a person's parents eat three big macs a day, and they go on to eat three big macs a day, they are most likely going to have a similar weight and health level.

The third 'fact' in this article is titled: Fat itself isn't unhealthy. Okay, I'm listening again because it is true that the body does need small amounts of fat (healthy fats like that from nuts and avocado). But then I read the section and I was frustrated again with the lack of scientific evidence and consideration this person contributed to the writing of this article. I will share the section that made me just discredit this author:
"If being fat were inherently bad for us, then weight loss should bring about innumerable health benefits. But that's not always the case: Multiple studies have seen little to no connection between weight loss and decreased risk of mortality.
In fact, some studies have found that fat people are more likely to survive cardiac events and that being overweight can have a positive influence on longevity.
What's more, losing significant weight is very difficult, and intense yo-yo dieting can cause plenty of health problems, too."
First of all, we all die. I've spoken about this with all you readers a couple times before. We all die whether we are the most fit or the most unhealthy person in the world.
Second, 'fat people' are more likely to have cardiac events and do so at younger ages that others. Usually the other percentage of people who have cardiac events are elderly.
Third, yes losing weight can be a challenge when you have to change all your habits to see healthy successful results. 'Yo-yo dieting' as this author refers to main-stream America's definition of dieting, can of course be bad because this so called yo-yo-ness is based on quick fixes which don't really work. The only healthy way to lose weight is indeed by changing what we eat and our activity level. Start where you can then build up from there. Cut out sodas, eat more green veggies, take your dog for a walk around the block (they can be the sweetest motivators), start swimming, go for a hike, join a spinning class-- it all adds up as long as you keep building. Enjoy a slice or two of your favorite pizza but don't eat it every night-- you eat for nutrition and you can't waist so many eating sessions on food with such a narrowed, limited nutrient food. If you feel 'guilty' after eating the slice or two even though you enjoyed them, go for an extra walk around the block.

The quality of our lives is dependent on our health.
Our health depends on our habits.
Habits can be made and broken.

P.S.
I just want to make sure I'm leaving you on a good note, reader. I think everyone, no matter their size, is beautiful in their own unique way; I believe that the issue that keeps coming up is health. If a person is told by a doctor that they are at a very unhealthy weight (including the consideration of muscle), they should not take it as an insult. Instead it should be taken as a genuine concern. Being over weight is a serious matter and causes serious health issues for the individual now and in the long run. It's not fat shaming when someone expresses genuine concern for those with super excess weight; it's called being compassionate and recognizing that our society lacks a healthy system for supporting healthy eating and activity habits within families.

To the Ignorant Girls At the Gym

While meat is indeed a large staple of the North American diet, it does not have more nutrition than vegetables. The fabric of meat (muscle of a dead animal) is made up of protein, collagen, and fat. While each of these hold a place on the list of necessary nutrients for the human body, meat is not the only source for them nor is it the best source. Protein can be found in numerous vegetables along with the famous group called legumes (AKA beans). Using legumes as a main source of protein does not only give you less fats, it gives you the healthier fats, fiber, and other nutrients like magnesium and potassium.
Making the personal decision to stop eating meat does not mean that you will get less nutrients; if anything it means you will be inviting more nutrients into your body. The choice to eat or not to eat meat is both a cultural and a personal decision-- don't make statements about nutritional content unless you are actually educated in food. You can eat meat if you choose but don't go slamming on vegans. Some of the strongest men in the world are vegan. Vegan-ism can actually boost muscle strength because the fats from the meats are not lingering in your muscles; instead, you are creating more room for muscle (thus you can look smaller and actually be stronger).
Also, vegan-ism can be even more of an exciting diet* (please recall my personal definition of the word 'diet') than that of a carnivores. In North America the standard meal is 40% meat/protein 40% starch 20% vegetable.

Cracker Barrel's Meatloaf

For a vegan a meal can consist of all three of these (protein, starch, vegetable) throughout the dish. Kitchari has basmanti rice (which is indeed a grain but contains many nutrients), mung beans (protein, vegetable, fiber), assorted fresh vegetables, and many spices that have endless health benefits.

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/05/my-favorite-kitchari-recipe/

So, to the girls that I encountered at the gym earlier today, get educated on what you put into your body. While you might get a big hunk of protein from that steak, you are also getting a lot of 'bad' fats. (I put bad in quotes because all fats are necessary but everything has an ideal quantity and eating a lot of meat goes beyond the healthy amount). Next time, actually look into the nutritional content of food before slamming down a diet different from your own. Eating meat is fine but it is not the only way to get necessary nutrients.


*diet: a personal practice of eating;
         a day-to-day routine of eating that goes beyond the definition granted by fads.

Blog-ger-ri-fic-ness! & My Weekly Race 2 Abs Update

I'm really excited to share with all of you that there are two new wonderful blogger's out here on the internet! Two of my fellow 'noles have decided to record and share their goingons of their personal journeys. (Kaitlin: http://positivelyperplexing.blogspot.com/ and Brandi: http://becauseiwantachange.blogspot.com/ ).

As one has already discussed, first steps are tough and, while many steps after the first step are tough, too, I applaud them both for making a public commitment to their goals. Sometimes it takes all eyes and a bit of shove to get things going.








Speaking of public commitment, it's Thursday! Time for an update on how my Race 2 Abs is going. Last night I had an apple something donut from Dunkin Donuts and I can tell you that I won't be having one again for quite some time. Flavors are nice but it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. I crave for read food like fresh plums and garlic kale with steamed carrots. Commitment. Commitment. Commitment. I can do this; anyone can do this. It just requires you to read up on nutrition and healthy habits like saying no to Dunkin and yes to the power of Kale and a pot of tea.




Measurements as of now are:

39.75" shoulders
33.5" chest
29" under bust
9.5" biceps
26.75" waist
30" belly button
36" hips
37.75" butt
21.75" thighs
14" calves

I want to include my weight but unfortunately I do not currently have access to a scale. I'll have to rummage through Salvation Army or Good Will and pop some tags. If not, I'll find one at the USF Rec Center and add that into my weekly updates.
Workouts lately have mostly been on the elliptical (which I will be making a post about soon). I've had some great results in the past with this particular machine and it's a great way to bring me back the good habits I enforced last spring. In addition to this fascinating machine, I've also kept to my daily yoga routine and added sit-ups.Sit-ups seem to have a not-so great reputation with people and are more often than not replaced with the loatheful crunch (seriously, I hate crunches-- sit-ups cover a bigger area and don't give me a neck ache while I'm building my core strength). It's safe to say I much prefer old-fashioned sit-ups.
Aside from last night's donut, I have kept a hearty and veggie-ful diet. Lots of Kale. Alex even put Kale in the soup he made this past Sunday.
Things are going really good and truly think I have the one-up in this Race to Abs.

Hope you all have got this New Year going with mindfully, happy and healthy habits!
Namaste.