Exhibit a: (above) Me at my heaviest in January, photographed with my mother (& Maudie the Jack Russell) for a feature I wrote in a national magazine.
Exhibit b: (below) Me a few weeks ago, photographed at a friend’s party
I’ve lost over a stone (14lbs) this year. At my heaviest in January I weighed just over 11stone, that’s 154lbs, the largest I’ve ever been. Now I hit the scales at 9, 13 or 139lbs. For my height, 5’5 1/2, that’s right where I am supposed to be*. For someone with my very small frame (32 back, sticky legs & arms) a stone makes an enormous difference: every extra pound shows, and once I started to move above 145lbs (my ‘resting’ weight), I started to wobble.
Put it this way: The last time I was 140lbs was in 2001.
How did I put on weight? It’s simple: My lifestyle has been shockingly sedentary. I work from home, I don’t go to the gym and I cook — & eat - a lot of delicious food. I had gradually been putting on a couple of pounds each year during the past decade — and they weren’t going anywhere. I’ve always fallen into the category of not quite vain enough: I care, a lot, about how I look, but just not enough to deny myself that bag of chips or bowl of Eton Mess.
And then last year I really starting piling on the pounds. I had given up my Manhattan apartment to spend time on the West Coast. I didn’t have any scales, and I had stopped shopping, (I was living out of suitcases), as I concentrated all my efforts on writing and on this blog.
I then spent a blissful four months in New Jersey with Y&J cooking & eating, eating & cooking, followed by several months doing the same at my mother’s in the English countryside and, whilst it made for great content on LLG, it wasn’t so great for my health — or my mental state.
Until I lost the weight, I didn’t realise how miserable I was about it. Whilst I’m realistic — my large chest means I’ll never be able to wear a sample size or adopt many current looks - dressing with style is important to me — I am a fashion editor after all. So I relied on having fantastic legs to draw attention away from my apple-shaped torso. Tent-like short dresses, tunics, smock tops paired with shorts, mini skirts were my thing.
Problem is, it wasn’t 2007 any more: those lovely loose smock dresses we all wore back then, whilst delicously comfortable and forgiving of tummy rolls, were so passé as to be ludicrous. (And I was fed up with people thinking I was pregnant.) I couldn’t wear trousers because to find a pair that would do up without a muffin top, they’d flap around my ankles, even in the skinny cuts. I told myself I wasn’t shopping because I was on a financial diet, but the truth was I wasn’t shopping because nothing fitted my shape. I’d go into Zara with armfuls of clothing and not a thing would work on me. And forget Barney’s or Bergdorf. So I just stopped going into stores, and did some food shopping instead.
The warning shot was fired by the excellent & interesting homeopath I consulted at my Health Assessment at The Organic Pharmacy back in January (more of this later) who warned me I was a mere 5lbs from being clinically overweight.
She didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know at the back of my mind. I’d seen some photographs of me in my swimsuit and I was not happy. And, as I headed out of my year’s writing sabbatical, I needed a new grown up wardrobe. But it was the snowiest January in England since the 1940s and I was guzzling carbs like the Cookie Monster.
Then fate intervened. How did I lose the weight? I got busy & I got sick. Simple as that.
In February I went from 0–60 overnight, as I decided to slough off my LLG anonymity in an interview & shoot for Grazia, build & design (myself) a new site to re-launch LLG, head to Denmark to cover Copenhagan Fashion Week, collaborate with Mercedes Benz to be their voice of social media at London Fashion Week (& work 20hr days covering the collections), and then deal with the email & media deluge following Grazia’s amazing piece .
In March I got a very, very nasty 72 hr stomach bug (believe me, you SO do not want to go there) from pigeons in the attics at my mother’s house in the country, which saw me shedding 6lbs almost overnight. And then in April I picked up a tropical parasite abroad. Un-diagnosed & un-treated for over a month, I continued to lose weight, as my body fought the massive infection in my blood and liver.
(Lest any of you think this was an easy way to lose weight, I have been properly, comprehensively unwell. There’s been the five day stay in hospital, over 50 blood tests, endless outpatient appointments and weeks of painful, aching, vomitous misery where I had no idea what was wrong with me.)
And then suddenly I was slim again. I didn’t realise it until I went to Mango to spend the voucher they gave me at the Madrid show. Every piece I picked off a rail fitted me — and looked good. Even the ambitious dress above. I cannot remember a time since 2001 when that has happened to me.
But now is where is where it gets tricky. I know from the past decade that I put on weight just by looking at cake. Staying where I am right now is going to take discipline, exercise and restraint around the cookie jar. But I am determined to keep the weight off. Not just because I feel mentally better, and can fit into lovely clothes again, but because women who store weight around their abdomen & major organs (the apple shape) have serious, documented risk of heart attack, stroke, problems in pregnancy & blood disorders. I’ve been sick enough this year. I’ve no intention to get sick again.
*(If I was flatter of chest I’d be a lot lighter, but each 32GG cup weighs approximately 5lbs. Someone with an apple figure and large chest will lose relatively little from their breasts if they diet, as it’s hereditary breast tissue. You can lose fat, but tissue isn’t going anywhere, unless it’s via a surgeon’s scalpel.)
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Gorgeous in both, but by GODS you have cracking pins in that second pic.
This was like reading my own bio — well apart from your exciting job — also piled on the pounds for same reasons — ill health, stuck at home, cooking/eating good food. I agree that you are gorgeous in both pics but lets be honest in saying that we both probably feel better & healthier when we are slimmer. Now I just need to follow your encouraging lead as I’m still very curvy size 16, oh dear
ps agree re chest weight — currently 36G and I swear that’s almost a stone going on, ouch!
I put on weight solely on my abdomen. I recently blogged about my juice detox. It helped to wean me off the bad foods and has me drinking lotsa water. Maybe worth a try
xx
thanks for posting this LLG. Good for us ‘civilians’ to realise that fashion eds have normal problems like weight worries, too.
I tried on that GORGEOUS mango dress a few weeks ago but unfortunately i have the opposite problem to you, being a pear shape, & it just didn’t work at all on my shape (massive bum!).
Hope you’re on the mend after your illness — stay healthy!
kx
You look lovely in both shots.You’ve also reminded me I need to shift a few pounds.I lost a lot of weight thru illness a few years back(Coeliac)but am healthy now and have piled on over three stone…I was 7st at my worst so remembering how I was makes me associate “thin” with “ill”.Which isn’t really a good thing as the pounds keep piling on.
Dog-walking, LLG.
It’s the only way. It’s the one form of exercise that you can’t put off until tomorrow, next week or next year. If I didn’t have to spend vast amounts of time yomping through the hills with Freddie, I would be completely spherical.
And however reluctant I might feel to drag myself out at 6.30 am — as is necessary here in the Aegean in summer to avoid the heat — I always enjoy it, and feel fantastic afterwards. Dogs are so permanently full of joie de vivre that they always lift the spirits.
I know your peripatetic lifestyle doesn’t allow for a permanent dog of your own just now, but you can always borrow them. When I lived in Oxfordshire I spent a lot of time taking other people’s dogs for walks, which had the added benefit of making me hugely popular both with the dogs and their owners.
This is preaching to the converted, I do realise — your tweets about Posetta Bad Dog are so funny — but am of the fırm belief that the physical and mental benefits of dog ownership cannot be stressed too often.
When I came to live in Turkey a dog was the last thing in the world that I wanted — and now I can’t imagine life without Freddie.
They’re cunning little b*st*rds, aren’t they?
Ah yes, restraint around the cookie jar and financial diet. I know them so well!! What a fabulous story of self-awareness and mental strength. We all need a little inspiration from time to time so I’m framing this one and hanging it up in the bedroom for daily motivation. I’m also going to be alot nicer to my E cups! They decided to stick around and play following the birth of my BB2 and I’ve complained about them ever since. Now if only I can do the same to my credit card.
It’s tough isn’t it, to love both good food and good clothes. The thing that works best for me is to make sure I have a routine to stick to — during the week I eat fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and something vegetable-heavy for dinner, and generally not much cake or sweet stuff. The weekends are fair game and I eat exactly what I like. And to clarify, I do not ‘do’ gyms or sport, it is just walking for me. The routine method might be more tricky for your non-office lifestyle, but if possible I do recommend as it still leaves room for plenty of delicious food, and you don’t have to diet so much as simply eat sensibly most of the time and give yourself regular time off. The golden mean!
I was very sorry to hear you had been so poorly and am glad it seems you are recovering now. it must have been so scary! The silver lining of weight loss must be wonderful though, although I think you looked good in the article with your Mother I completely empathise with your feelings. I am too large of cup– although I’m a 34 back so not so small there– they really do add weight and I agree nothing will shift them, I danced quite intensively in my teens and although I wasn’t fully developed i still had enormous boobs and the rest of me was very small! I wouldn’t want surgery or anything though I don’t feel.
Weight is something I struggle with. i never did when i was young because I was so so active, dancing, working at a stable lugging saddles and bales and doing athletics and things too. I do try I really do, I go to yoga and I walk everywhere in London but it’s not enough– and I eat and I have so many friends who really don’t– they either live on a very calorie restricted diet, eating only vegetables and soup and saving up for nice meals– probably eating only once properly on a weekend when they go out for a meal (they might have a muller light or something like that once a day but nothing else). I can’t live like that and I think it’s as unhealthy as being a bit big. It’s very hard though.
I work full time, long hours, not 9 to 5 at all, I blog, I write elsewhere and I have a life. The other thing I note is lots of people do make excercise their social life but I think that is easier when you are in a couple. You might do a class instead of going out but the guy probably quite likes time alone or going out with friends and you are in by 9 say and then you see them.
There we go moan over– glad you’re better and you look fabulous!
It’s the small things: not keeping junk food around, eating tons of grains and vegetables, having a kick butt playlist to motivate you at the gym, and finding an activity that’s fun and aerobic as well (my husband and I just tried krav maga — it’s awesome and if you ever want to learn self defense and safely tackle a loved one, this is it).
It’s work, no doubt, but gets easier with every small whole wheat bite and step on the elliptical.
Let the next fabulous Mango or other outfit motivate you!
Thank you for posting this. I have gained weight myself, losing 18kg, gaining 23kg, etc, going from size 16 to size 18 then 14 then 20 and now 22 :/ Not good, and fat concentrated in the bdomen and upper arms. Anyhow, I think having those around you involved helps. When I was dieting with my husband it was much better, less temptations around. On the other hand, I do not like gyms and people sweating, but my eldest daughter who is now 16 and fit, joined a gym a few months ago and I tried a power yoga class. The instructor was comfortable with my size, and I hope to be able to fit the once per week class in my working schedule.
My best bet on exercise is walking in a park. I feel clean and rejuvenated both physically and mentally.
I wish you th very best. Know that your writing is much appreciated.
Dear LLG,
Thanks for sharing — your honesty will always be appreciated by your devoted readers, many of whom I’m sure have found themselves in a position like yours in the past. (Although your succession of illnesses really has been quite dastardly.)
I’m so glad you are feeling better.
Poppy xox
PS: Please don’t stop writing your delicious food posts though!
A brilliant post and great to hear someone talking so honestly about weight, an issue I think almost every woman is concerned with no matter how much we might say otherwise. I often go through a similar cycle, let the weight creep on and then have a moment of realisation when I realise I’m truly unhappy with it and it’s making me and others around me miserable. Finding ways of working it off and still enjoying food and life are tough but hopefully if you do find some you’ll let us know!
PS that Mango dress does look truly fabulous on you! And I’m pleased you’re on the mend from that nasty parasite.
Well done on losing all that weight, although I’m sorry it was such a drastic method. I’ve lost over a stone myself this year and I feel soo much better. I’ve been following a simple calorie counting régime. That way, I don’t have to deny myself any lovely food, I just have smaller portions or I adjust the rest of my daily calorie intake accordingly. I’ve been surprised how easy it’s been. It’s not just about looking good, (although that’s obviously important). I have so much more energy, I’m able to throw off minor illnesses quickly and my asthma has disappeared. I’m similar to you in that I love good dressing and I love good food. All the best. xx
After every hospitalisation (sadly I have had a few) I have had exactly the same result as you, long term relationship failure works a treat too! Each time I promise to keep myself in check but occasionally it just creeps back on. Now approaching 50 I have noticed that it gets harder to shed extra weight and I have less energy to do so although the dog helps.
I applaud your honesty with this issue and at least we can be safe in the knowledge that because we at least eat healthily our bones will not be snapping à la Gwyneth Paltrow!
What a fantastic post. Being overweight and one’s feeling surrounding it are very difficult things to talk openly about. I too struggle with loving food, wine, and clothing! But your post is also so timely, because after looking at some photos of myself last night, I feel a bit sad that I’ve let myself gain about 15lbs that I am determined to lose. Thank you — it was just what I needed this morning.
I feel really proud that you put the picture of you at your heaviest on the Blog. I did a post yesterday on Apple Shapes, it is a nightmare being one, so I can sympathise! It is a dreadful shame that you lost the weight because you were so ill, but you are there now and look fantastic in that Mango dress! Well done, great post! xx
You have the most beautiful face. It’s all that’s lacking in the leg picture.
[I know you have already been given lots of advice up there, and probably don’t want any more. But I think I have a good formula because I don’t ever put on weight (UK size 8), which is partly genetic, and I used to think entirely genetic, but when I see how other people eat, I realise that I seem to have formed certain habits that most people don’t have and probably help keep it off: 1) unless I’m going out to dinner, I rarely eat past 7pm; 2) having spent a few years working with food and always having my spoon in the pot, I’ve grown to really appreciate the feeling of hunger, as opposed to topping yourself up all the time (eating when hungry is a religious experience, eating when already full feels a bit wrong; 3) in Ayurveda, it is advised that you fast one full day a week. I can’t bring myself to do that, but it’s a pretty good habit to not regularly eat from 7pm to 7am or whatever– gives the organs a rest for a full 12 hrs. Fasting at night-time is a very old way of restoring and resting the body, which is evident in English (break-fast) and in Spanish (des-ayunar) and prolly other languages I don’t know; 4) yoga. you don’t need any other exercise. It will teach you to listen to your body. Also great for toning and speeding up metabolism, obviously. If you can’t make it to a class, I heartily recommend Seane Corn’s DVDs. The End.]
Being ill may have been a nightmare .. but you look fabulous .. sorry to be so shallow but I think you look lovely with your mum… but fucking amazing slim.
I gained weight when I was on antidepressants, which in turn made me depressed.… so I came off them. I am still mad but happier xx
You look AMAZING!
As someone who’s been overweight her whole life I know how awful it is when you’re unhappy with how you look. I’ve been doing Slimming World for 6 months now and it’s the only thing that has ever really worked for me. I’ve lost almost 3 and a half stone and am finally starting to feel confident with how I look.
Now I just need legs like yours and I’m all sorted! x
Thanks for sharing. It came at an opportune time as I have just come out of a year in Africa where I realized I had let myself go somewhat. I am now going to employ a no carbs policy. Fingers crossed I can continue it when I leave London and head back to the wilds of Uganda. I am so sorry you had to be so sick to lose the weight but now you have a real incentive to keep going.
Addendum: Have been thinking about what I wrote up there and wanted to come back and add that there is nothing that I don’t or won’t eat (except meat). I eat oceans of bread/pasta/rice etc and loathe the no-carbs bullshit that so many people seem taken with. I think it’s not what you eat but rather having healthy eating habits that help stabilize the body.
You’re beautiful at any weight (that topmost picture!), but thank you for speaking so openly and honestly about this. It’s weird how the weight just sneaks up sometimes, and a real effort for anyone in a desk/sedentary job these days to stay healthy.
I’m glad you’re not ill any more, though– here’s wishing you good health and no more pesky parasites/flu!
LLG you are lovely 100% of the time. The pitfalls and pratfalls of working at home are certainly familiar — I find it to be nearly impossible, due to the rampant multitasking (and lack of support staff) to get to the gym in the first place. If you ever want to start a non-gym workout, try David Kirsch books/video. As you are also a brilliant cook, should also mention that his recipes are also fantastic — I have even served them to guests (who loved them and had no idea they were eating healthy food). So enjoy your blog and am very happy to hear that you are on the mend!
It’s so funny…you have put into words my own personal experiences this year. I had a daughter 4 years ago, and never bothered to lose the baby weight, although it was getting me down.
Last year, I resolved to do something about it, gymming extensively to no avail. This year, in total depression I gave up the gym only to catch some mysterious infection and ended up losing all the weight I had put on.
While I am thrilled at losing the weight, I wish I knew why. I am still undergoing tests after tests, and results are totally inconclusive. However, I am now utterly resolved to maintain this weight now (till the next baby, that is
)
I would like to congratulate you on the weight loss. You are looking amazing in the second pic, but I know it’s not been easy for you. And the stomach infections and flu sound really awful.
Well done. Your experience & analysis are much appreciated. And yes, you are lovely in both photographs. But I know what it’s like to be rather suddenly overweight (for other reasons which I hope will be sorted out medically, soon, pls!) & I’m so glad that you make it clear it’s about both health & beauty. Far too many people, trying to be nice to me or to comfort themselves about weight gain (I’m not talking about a bit of pudge), keep telling me “oh stop worrying about it, you look great.” No I do not. What’s more, I didn’t ask them. What’s even more: it’s making me (more) ill & it’s painful, esp. on a small frame. I’m sure you know what I mean (knees, other joints).
I am sorry that some of your weight loss came about the way it did, when you were ill with that horrible mysterious tropical business. I remember that it was very frightening for you & it is easy to identify. So glad that the news, while unpleasant, was not that of a chronic illness.
Cheers. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
xx
Congratulations, I am very envious and think you look great!
It’s nice to know there are other people in the fashion industry who aren’t ‘naturally skinny’ (I always find that hard to believe.) Did you ever find your shape/boobs an issue as you tried to forge your career? I often worry that fashion girls judge those of us who have ‘curves’ because we don’t fit the fashion norm.
I have 30H boobs — always wondered how much they contributed to the number on the scale, so thanks for solving that mystery for me!
Stay happy and healthy and thanks for the inspiration!
George x
Well you look stunning now…your legs are out of control in the second picture! Good for you and feel proud of how you look!
Gosh you look just marvellous — I think as lots of people have already said, gorgeous in both pictures, but you have the most amazing legs in the Mango dress! I struggle with my weight so much, and often end up thinking, oh well, I’m a fattie anyway so may as well tuck into that last piece of cake/pie/pudding! Thank you for writing about this, whenever I read fashion mags I imagine a world of ladies who never worry about their size so it’s very refreshing. You’ve inspired me to get off my sizeable bottom and do some exercise!
Thank you — always love your blog–
Cx
You look fantastic– gorgeous legs!
Apart from illness, cutting out the crap and getting yourself moving is the only way to get the pounds off and keep them off. Even things like reduced sugar and salt products and cutting out the sugar in tea/ coffee will make a difference. I swear by my bowl of oat bran (2 tbsp) and fat free yogurt (5tbsp) in the morning it keeps me full until lunch time.
I’ve recently lost 17lbs and, whilst I was no where near overweight, I didn’t ‘feel’ like me. I wanted to lose the weight, as I too am an ‘apple’ shape and didn’t want to inherit the hereditary heart problems that tend to plague members of my family.
On a shallower note, everything I try on fits or if anything, things are too big now. Unfortunately, I have had a few comments from colleagues telling me to go eat a big dinner but then they’re corrected by those I eat lunch with, that I still eat like a horse, I just eat better things!
I look better, feel better and have way more confidence. Plus I can still have a skinny G&T without feeling guilty.
L
x
Glad to hear that you on the road to recovery, that must have been awful to feel that poorly. The upside is though that you look incredible in that mango dress, its gorgeous. I sympathise with you on the food front, I love to cook and eat out but only have to look at something and my thighs are expanding!!! I have found the only way to keep the weight off is a low sugar vegan diet coupled with yoga and gym! Harsh but it works! e xxx
Looking Good! It’s bloody difficult to lose it and keep it off — I’ve lost 2 stone from my heaviest (12s 6) still another half stone to go!
look. at. those. pins. and even in the first photo– you and your mum look very pretty. i liked this piece bec not everyone is as honest as you are-people never talk about their weight– lovely of you to have shared it with us. x shayma
Not the best way to lose weight, that’s for sure. Nonetheless, you look lovely!
This is the curse of the freelance writer, working from home and frantically typing away on the laptop. I’ve noticed a weight gain since forsaking the rush-hour tube commutes for a home office.
I’ve never met a fashion editor who hasn’t been worried about putting on weight, especially before fashion week, but it’s usually kept hush. Thanks for sharing, you look fab! x
I think you look great in both photos — but I suspect that you’re happier with yourself in the Mango frock
My own weight is increasing — sitting at the computer for much of the day to earn my daily crust probably doesn’t help ;-/ That bug you picked up was completely hellish — plus there was the stress of the fire in NY too, wasn’t there?
12 months have made a difference, haven’t they?! But I really hope that you find a way — over the next 12 months to find a healthy, fun way to keep your weight at a level that makes you happy.
And getting another bug is not an option
Ali x
try weight watchers online to maintain your weight. I highly recommend it. after you follow it for a few weeks you’ll really figure out what exactly you’re supposed to be eating and how much of it, to maintain your weight.
I was just reminiscing about a time some years ago when my own weight had crept up some 15 pounds. (I’m quite short, so it was a significant amount.) I didn’t have a scale at the time and was actually glorying a bit in my lushness, unaware of just how lush I’d slowly become. Predictably, the awful reveal came in the 3-way mirror in the fitting room. I’m still a bit conflicted as the time leading up to the mirror shock was perhaps the only period in my adult life when I just ate whatever, whenever I wanted. On the other hand, I’m quite sure that I couldn’t face the gradual slide of trading up size after size.
You are gorgeous at all weights! And I really appreciate this honest account. I’m an hourglass who goes apple (don’t they all) at a certain weight. I have large breasts and a short waist. And I’m 5’3″. I really relate to what you have written here. Thanks, S.
Wow, I just found you thanks to Vogue .com
Im loving your style and of course im becoming a follower right now!
Visit me whenever you have time and if you wanna support me as well that would be great;)
Gosh I know being ill is no good but at least the benefit is the weight re-balance. This does lead to better long term health. And that dress is a wow on you!
You look wonderful Sasha! I don’t envy your methods, but I’m happy you’re feeling healthy and are able to wear the clothes you want. I can certainly relate to your weight struggles.
xo
Janet
I have a similar story, went to uni and put on qutie a bit of weight over the three years through the consumption of far too much pizza and continuously frying food (cooking is not my forte). I didn’t notice because it was so gradual (and because I avoid the scales like the PLAGUE!). Wasn’t till last January, 6 months after moving back home, that my friends started to notice all the weight dropping off. Taking up dance and a series of tummy bugs meant that I was exercising more but eating less. Looking back at pictures from last year, I can really see the difference but I feel a lot better in myself when I go shopping or go out with the girls and nothing beats confidence
So thanks for sharing LLG — it’s nice to hear someone in a similar predicament and I wish you luck in keeping the weight off which I will definitely be needing too
Stay healthy! Hopefully you have filled your sickness quota for a good while now…
Thank you so much for this honest post. It’s such a battle isn’t it? I’m 5′ 5″ with boobs 32E and weight always heads to the tummy and hips. At the end of the day with the weight thing, it’s all about where you feel happiest but you look fab at all weights! I too always favour the dress to get the legs out and still have mastered any trouser other than the skinny jean with floaty/ longline time top combo..Maybe soon!xx
Sacha, you are beautiful either way, and so is your darling mom! You just have to feel good, so if being slimmer makes you feel better, please just be certain to be healthy about it! Weight seems to be a popular subject these days, for all of us. Loving fashion as we all do, its natural to want to wear all the styles and have fun with it!
For me, finding the balance of not wanting to eat and a healthy diet has been important. I have organic whenever possible, particularly organic dairy; I feel better about consuming it. I have salmon, but not meat, just never crave meats, or very rarely. There are so many wonderful ways to cook veggies! Fage 0% yogurt and my cut-up friut is a favorite breakfast of mine. Or an organic egg on high-fiber whole wheat toast with low fat cheese and spinach is another favorite. Lunch is ALWAYS a salad that I make with all sorts of wonder ful veggies and 2/3 oz salmon, or an egg or soy beans (one, not all!) to add protien. and Balsalmic vinegar, not “dressing”.
I cook all sorts or veggie dishes on Sunday because I arrive home later during the week and just want dinner. I always add cottage cheese to dinner as well to get my magic number of required grams of protien (suggested by my dr based on my weight and workout schedule, so ask your dr how many grams you should have). Also I’ve added a cup of non-fat milk after my evening runs for recovery (truely, it cuts the carb craving!!) and to build lean muscle. Its harder when you travel, I really have to seek out healthy choices, but they are there. I agree with not keeping things that you don’t want to eat at home, then they don’t “look at you with temptation”!
Please remember what a fabulous women you are no matter what size you decide to be!!!
xo shari
I am precisely the same weight and same height as you at 154 lbs. Although, I store all my fat in my thighs and butt. Reading this, made me determined to do something about my weight. I WOULD be in better frame of mind and feel more accomplished by losing weight and getting down to my 2001 weight (123 lbs). After traveling for a year, I enjoyed every morsel of food throughout Asia (let’s not begin to think about the booze!). Since then, my life too became and still is sedentary by applying for jobs for the last 5 months for 9 hours a day and not exercising except with my weekly jaunts into the city and sparingly working out.
It’s no good…so thanks for this post. It really helped me realize that I’m not 20 anymore and I need to WORK at it. Tropical disease is really not my thing.
Firstly Sasha — amen for being so honest on your blog! It is the eternal quest for us food-loving fashionistas (or fashion-loving foodies) isn’t it? My love of cooking/eating good food and love of clothes are indeed conflicting forces on the waist band (though I too share your ample bosom dilema). Yet it’s so rare for someone in the fashion world to actually speak about this! We’re not all born naturally thing and leggy, i’ll have you know! When I moved to the UK from Australia, I instantly put on 5kg (sudden cold climate, lack of activity, less availability of healthy food) and while i’ve adjusted, it’s still a struggle to shift it all.
Secondly, I was so sorry to hear about your illnesses, but so glad you’re fully recovered. It is always the small upside of getting sick, however I always find that with me it’s minimal and doesn’t stay off. Here’s to your svelte new self, and staying healthy and gorgeous for life! But let me just say, you are absolutely gorgeous in both pictures!!
Miss B xx
You are beautiful inside and out, at any weight, but just feeling comfortable with our bodies is truly most important. So sorry to hear of your health issues, I hope you are properly healed and feeling strong again. As someone who has experienced lifelong effects from a horrendous bout of food poisoning in my early 20’s, I totally get it — yeah, you lose the weight, but it’s reeeealy not the way you want to do it.
I think its such a shame, that at 5 pounds LESS than being overweight, you could find nothing which would fit you. The fashion industry continues to ignore actual women, and designs for toothpicks instead. In this age of plenty, HOW, HOW, HOW can there be no clothes to fit a completely normal, healthy woman, and a very attractive one too, (even if this weight is on the upper edge of what’s right for you).
Its not you that is wrong, my dear, its the clothes.
Time for change from the fashion industry! Will they ever listen?
AND isn’t it ironic that when you were healthy and happy, you couldn’t fit the clothes, but only after being very, very ill, did you fit the fashionable ideal and get into the clothes. Says something about the fashion industry and its relationship with women, doesn’t it?