Is Fat the new thin?

Reports say that the average woman in America is a size 14. Most people in commercials, on billboards, and walking the runway are a size 2. Does anyone see anything wrong with that picture.

I was watching Monique's Fat Chance on Oxygen last night, and was excited to see this fabulous woman yet again go against the grain and produce a show that celebrates woman of all sizes. But, amidst the show, there were segments promoting unhealthy eating, fried chicken, and assorted other misleading messages. Is it okay to be fat? Is a size 22 okay, as long as you love yourself? Will self-esteem boosters be enough to liberate obese women from their shell?

American's eat more food than most countries. And many sit at a computer terminal at our jobs, getting little if no exercise throughout the week. So, designers make clothes bigger. New lines fro the plus size woman pop up everywhere. Does this solve the problem? Or is there even a problem?

I'm worth more than $100 jeans

A few nights ago, I went shopping in the Willow Grove mall, near Philadelphia. As I walked past the window of the The Lucky Brand store, the mannequins caught my attention. I had never been in the store before, and never considered buying anything from them. But, in light of my Top 10 Ways To Nurture Self-Love, I decided to take the plunge.

A saleswoman scurried over as I walked in. "May I help you with something?"

"Well, I'm not sure what size I am," I said, looking over the mounds of jeans. "But I don't think I would be a size 30!" I found out later that Lucky marks their clothing with EURO sizes. Duh! I should have known better.

The saleswoman was friendly and helpful. She asked what size I normally wear, and found some jeans for me to try on. As I tried on the jeans, I snuck a peak at the price tag. $110.00!

Can I tell you I almost passed out in that little room? I don't think I've ever bought a pair of pants for over $40, let alone $110. Trying on the jeans was a guilty pleasure. These jeans fit like a glove and fell to the floor like a dream. I left the store with those jeans, and with a new attitude of myself. I am worth more than a $100 pair of jeans. I am invaluable. I am awesome. I love me.

When you're use to putting yourself last, it's easy to splurge on the bills, but not on yourself. I enjoy wearing these jeans because they remind me how valuable I am. My true worth can't be measured by material things. But we live in a touch and feel world. It is easier to begin loving yourself with tangible things than it is with ideals. Let's start small, before we tackle the heavy stuff.

Owning a pair of clothing equal to 1-week's salary is one of my Top 10 Ways To Nurture Self-Love. You see, we are the only ones who can cultivate how we feel about ourselves. We set the tone for how people view us, and how valuable we are.

Top 10 Ways to Nurture a Healthy Self-Love

1. Look in your mirror each day, and tell yourself why you love you.
   
2. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, and look forward to your future.
   
3. Ex-foliate your skin once a week with a great salt scrub, and moisturize for that spa-feeling.
   
4. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure once a month.
   
5. Get your hair done by a professional once every two months.
   
6. Have at least one piece of clothing in your wardrobe that costs a week's worth of salary.
   
7. Have a personal spa day at least once a year.
   
8. Teach people how to love you.
   
9. Take care of your temple by eating right and exercising 3 times a week.
   
10. Trim your friendship tree often.
    

Do you have some more ways or disagree? Leave a comment or an additional way to nurture self-love. And make sure to subscribe to this thread, so we can notify you with updates.

True Beauty: Our Theme Song Has Arrived

I have to admit, I am not really an American Idol die-hard. I've watched the finale shows almost every year, but for some reason, I can't sit through all those weeks of so-so singing and constant berating by the judges. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out Mandisa was a former contestant on the show. I'd missed the whole thing.

After all the things that happened during American Idol, Season 5, Mandisa Hundley has finally proved she is a survivor. Last month, she released her first album, True Beauty. Since starting this blog, I felt the song would be appropriate as our theme song. So, I visited her web site. And that's when I knew Mandisa was more than just an idol. She was an icon.

I couldn't stop listening to each clip of the CD. The music rich and the lyrics easy to remember, Mandisa's voice carried every note and hit me right to my core. I had to buy the CD.

Only the World and her rendition of Shackles accompany her CD's title song, True Beauty.

Not only can this sister blow, she is a beauty queen. She has no problem striking a pose for the cameras, and wears an attitude of confidence and poise. Mandisa is a true beauty, because she celebrates the things that make her special.

Mandisa is an excellent example of a positive role model in the media. She's always been true to herself and to her beliefs .How many people in the public eye have affected your life in a positive way? With all the scandal in the news lately, I wonder if anyone got any sense any more.

So ladies, I want to hear you make some noise. Leave a comment and if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to the blog.

Peace ya'll.

For Beautiful Women Only

Beauty: 1. The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality


Webster's Dictionary defines beauty as an original quality. Before I read the definition, I didn't think my unique features could be considered beautiful. The media shows beautiful people with a certain hair style, or particular body type. They all look the same to me.

Does that mean a woman with a mustache is beautiful?

Can I be real? One-third of the women in the United States has unwanted facial hair. That's thousands of women who look in the mirror everyday, and say to themselves, "No one thinks I'm attractive." I remember when my facial hair started growing in. I had no idea what was going on. I plucked. I shaved. I even tried to melt the hair away. But it still continues to grow.

On the flip side, I have thick and healthy hair on my head. I would consider it my most unique feature. And I am proud of my locks. I still don't want whiskers around my face, but they come with the blessing of healthy hair.

Let's choose to celebrate the things that we love about ourselves. Every woman has at least one thing they love about their bodies. And one is all we need. If we can focus on the things we admire, we can also love the person inside this body. Our bodies deserve a party. Our bodies are beautiful.

I'm calling every beautiful woman out there, and asking you to post a comment on this blog. What part of your body are we celebrating?