ANTM Whitney Thompson May 18, 2008

Whitney Thompson is the first winner of “America’s Next Top Model” who’s considered a plus-size model. She’s certainly a gorgeous girl, but not hardly plus-size at a size 8. In any case, she seems to be determined to flaunt her body as is, and not succomb to any pressure to lose the weight for an assumingly more successful modeling career. She simply says if one modeling agency tells her to lose weight, she’ll move on to the next agency.

And with her newly won title, Whitney sees  an opportunity to spread her message on body image.

“I have a 13-year-old cousin who’s so much like me it’s uncanny,” she says. “She’s completely normal-size but she says, ‘Oh, I’m so fat’,” and I’m like, ‘No, you’re not and why would you ever say that.’

“I have the purpose and drive and I’m trying to change the face of fashion and society,” she says. “It starts with a single step.”

Benefit Supervisor Sleeping May 16, 2008

Sigmund Freud’s nephew, 85 year old artist Lucian Freud, has set a new record for the highest selling painting for a still living artist.

His painting titled “Benefit Supervisor Sleeping” sold for over $33 million dollars at Christie’s in New York City. The model in the painting is now 51 year old Sue Tiley. She’s forever become a part of Freud’s large-scale, life-size painting series of portraits celebrated from the late 1980’s through the mid-1990’s.

Freud’s work hasn’t always been so widely recognized and appreciated. It’s taken a career of nearly 70 years to reach his fame status he maintains today.

You can see the painting below:

Queen Latifah & Jenny Craig April 2, 2008

Kirstie Alley passed the torch to Valerie Bertinelli, and now the torch has been passed to Queen Latifah. In case you don’t watch too much TV, I’m talking about Queen Latifah signing on as the newest celebrity endorser for the Jenny Craig weightloss program. What I think is unique about Queen Latifah, is that she’s always been a bigger woman her entire career. The other spokeswomen, were long lost once skinny celebrities…

Of course, I don’t know the true motivation of Queen Latifah deciding to be the Jenny Craig spokesperson, but I do beleive what she says. I think she’s just trying to reinforce the acceptance of one’s body image, whilst not disregarding one’s health.

Now of course, I don’t beleive know there isn’t ANY absolute truth that skinny=healthy, and fat=unhealthy, but being proud of yourself regardless of your weight doesn’t mean you should put your health on the backburner. And I think this sums up Queen Latifah’s message.

If you’re fat (and HAPPY!) but eat consciencely, and exercise to keep your heart in good condition, so you can live your life to the fullest, just kindly smile at the Jenny Craig ads, and move on!

And I don’t think we’ll be seeing a skinny Queen Latifah…If I had her tone and beautifully proportioned curvy figure, I doubt I’d ever stop smiling!

How do you feel about the always proud curvy Diva starring in weightloss ads?

The Inspiration of Nancy Hayssen October 13, 2007

Sexy plus-size model Nancy Hayssen is responding to the recent anti-anorexic billboard and campaign from the No-Lita fashion company:

Nancy (seen below) is going to be the star of a campaign all about the beauty and acceptance of women of size.

What makes this campaign so unique, is Nancy is appearing nude and in similar positions of the anorexic model for No-Lita. Unfortunately, I’m unable to locate any of the photos from the shoot for the campaign, but if you DVR’d The Insider tonight, you’ll be lucky enough to sneak a peak!

You can learn more about Nancy, and her inspiring book titled “You Can Be Sexy at Any Size!” at her official site shown here.

The Glamazon Girls… September 30, 2007

“Born on a small island in a little place called the East Village the Glamazons never lost their baby fat. These song and dance girls prove that the stage is big enough for the most buxom of beauties. Giving you a large, hot helping of bawdy burlesque, striptease, go go dancing and sassy songs…they serve it up with a sexy style all their own. The girls have been described as the plus-size Pussy Cat Dolls.

The Glamazons are 4 fierce ladies who are singing and dancing their way through New York City. They’ve performed at numerous places, including The Roxy, Avalon and The Rainbow Room. These girls have also been seen strutting their stuff on the WB Morning show on more than one occasion. They are strong, sexy, plus size women who can sing anything from showtunes to hip hop.“
Read more here…

Plus size model hunt! The winner could be you!! September 30, 2007

Skorch Magazine has teamed up with an upcoming NEW plus-size fashion line through MEWV, in seeking its signature model for the line’s premiere in December. There’s NO FEE! And just for coming out, you’ll receive special discounts for their host retailer and MEWV fashion!!

The contest has already begun touring, but the remaining locations include:

PORTLAND, OR
Sunday, Oct. 7th from 11am to 4pm
Location: The Venue, 2808 NE MLK, Portland, OR

LOS ANGELES – Special Partnership with LOVE YOUR BODY DAY!
Sunday, Oct. 21st from Noon to 4pm
Plummer Park – Fiesta Hall
1200 N. Vista Street, West Hollywood, CA

Visit here for more details!

The more you weigh, the less you’re paid! August 29, 2007

The more you weigh, could result in the less you’re paid. And it’s legal.

 

Many companies are trying to cut costs, especially with health insurance and benefits offered to their employees.  The idea is, the larger you are, the more money you’re going to cost the company, because you’re more likely to be unhealthy, and hence claim more health insurance than your skinny co-worker in the next cubicle.

And now companies are determined to be one step ahead of you. Instead of suffering the inevitable consequences of your poor health and doctor bills (*sarcasm*), companies are collecting $10-$50 from each paycheck! Oh, it gets even better…their basis in determining who has to pay the fat tax? The proven to be ineffective BMI scale, (which was developed by insurance agencies, not doctors, by the way)!

But alas! The companies offer the fatties good news! As our BMI’s decrease, so does our fat tax, but don’t be fooled! If our BMI increases, so does the fat tax.

Is this some kind of government conspiracy to encourage the obese to lose fat, to in turn, gain fatter paychecks, and to overcome the “obesity epidemic”?

Should this be legal? Is this discrimination, or is this justified when viewing the best interests of your company, and the insurance companies? How would you feel having to log your BMI for your employer,when losing or gaining weight? The same thing is happening with smokers. In fact it’s completely legal to not hire someone based solely that they’re a smoker. This is the same idea…smokers are beleived to have more health problems, and hence will cost the company more money. Would you beleive this is justified for smokers? What’s the differene between it being right or wrong for an overweight group, and a smoker’s group?

Vanity Sizing? July 8, 2007

Vanity Sizing: Clothing Labels Lie!

We’re all familiar with it. At one store we wear size X in jeans, and at another store we wear 2 sizes smaller! Are we really smaller than we thought, or larger than we thought? Why can’t there be standard sizes for women? Well don’t expect that to happen anytime soon…

The competitors in the fashion industry have been making clothes larger, but marking them sizes smaller! Why? Its psychological and self-esteem benefits of the consumer, lead to monetary benefits for the seller! Wearing a size or two smaller than we expect usually causes an instant “high” that causes us to go straight to the cash register for purchase. Whereas, if we end up struggling trying on clothing that’s too small, or those that fit posess a tag with a number too high for us to swallow, our shopping experience makes us upset, depressed, and we end up buying very little, if anything at all. You know the strategy works! It’s much like the ideal that many dressing rooms are now posessing mirrors that stretch you vertically, making you appear more slender than you really are, resulting in purchases you otherwise may have not made.

More information on this article by Kristina Maury here.

Eat light yogurt, and you’re sure to find a man! July 3, 2007

In case you haven’t come across the uproar that’s quickly spreading on the internet, here’s a recap.

Itambé fit light yogurt has an ad campaign featuring plus-sized models posed for re-creating famous moments in movie history previously portrayed by thin actresses.

So what’s the big deal? The Brazalian caption reads, “Forget about it! Men’s preference will never change. Fit Light Yogurt.”

Oh where to begin! First of all, I can’t imagine being one of these models, allowing a yogurt company to humiliate me and insult my body nationally.

Second of all, hopefully we all know, that men’s preferences DO vary, and there are men who can find women of all sizes attractive, and of course those who exclusively find larger women attractive…But honestly, I’m not really suprised by seeing an ad like this, particularly in Brazil. Many women struggle with their self-image, and allow that part of themselves to be the most influenced by OTHERS’ views and rules of society. Hence, the ad probably is going to result in the sales it’s after. And as Brazil has been dubbed the most “plastic-surgery addicted” place in the world, it’s no surprise that it’s hosting an ad such as this.

But beyond the weight issue, I want to tackle ANOTHER issue. The ad is telling us, that we as women should behave, eat, and look, how MEN want us to! It’s unbeleivably sexist and based on very (or so I thought!) old-fashioned ideals. Don’t you dare tell me that I need to base my self-esteem on the acceptance or lack their of, I receive from men, or I need to be skinny and beautiful for the sake of MEN! For God sakes, it’s digusting!

Alli, the new FDA approved OTC weightloss pill…is it really your ally or foe? June 29, 2007

I’m sure you’ve all seen the commercials and news feed on Alli by now. Yes the “only FDA approved over the counter weight-loss pill.” But does this really mean it’s safe and right for you?

First of all, Alli is NOT a new weight-loss product. In fact, Alli is simply the brand name for Xenical (orlistat). It has been available by prescription since 1999.

So what does it do exactly? Well it blocks your body from storing about 30% of the fat from a meal…so where does the fat go? Yeah you guessed right…straight through you! Which can make using the restroom a rather uncomfortable experience. And Alli certainly warns you of this. The enclosed booklet suggests that you wear dark pants and bring an extra pair of underwear with you (wherever that may be) just in case of an “accident” while your body adjusts to the pill, as sometimes you may have little control over your bowel movements.

As a result, in addition to using Alli, Alli obviously suggests to reduce your fat intake (which is VERY important to follow to avoid uncontrollable bowel movements while taking the product!), and to follow an exercise regime recommended by your doctor.

So what are the actual results? Alli is claimed to be able to help you lose about 50% more weight than dieting and exercise alone (which seems low considering the obnoxious commercials for other weight-loss products claiming to help you lose 400-500% more weight than dieting and exercise alone.)

So why is the once prescription medication made for over the counter? Well as with most prescriptions becoming OTC products, the prescription pill had 120 milligrams of active ingredient, where as the OTC version has half that, at 60 milligrams of active ingredient. And guess what? Some doctors are as a result NOT in support for the OTC Alli product, claiming it’s effectiveness is not worth noting at 60 milligrams, resulting in 5 lbs of weightloss in a years time for some patients….however others are saying that it’s 80% as effective as the original prescription of 120 milligrams. Always the battle of doctors for and doctors against….

How much does it cost? For a 60 capsule bottle, it’s going to run you about $50. You are supposed to take 2 capsules before each meal, which basically translates into spending $2.50 everyday for use of the product.

Only you and your doctor can help decide if it’s right for you. You can also visit Alli’s Official Website Here, which can help answer further questions you may have, and see if it’s potentially safe for you personally.