The Fat Positive Lounge

[Gráinne]

The most positive I've ever felt about my own body wasn't even when being sexual with someone. I was a life model in college, and it was a shock to see how sensuously the students sculpted or drew my body, compared to how I saw myself. It was a total kick.

I want to be healthy, it's true, and I don't want problems to creep in as I get older. But, having said that, if I'm curvy, that's what I am. Your attitude is far more important than your weight or the size of anything.

NYCfemBBW, when I met you at the Reunion, I didn't even notice size. I thought, "Wow, I love her hair!" .

I recommend the book "Feel Good Naked" by Laure Redmond. It's not a diet, although it recommends healthy eating (both content and how we eat). It's much more about self-esteem from the inside out. That to me, is hot in anyone.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by guihong

The most positive I've ever felt about my own body wasn't even when being sexual with someone. I was a life model in college, and it was a shock to see how sensuously the students sculpted or drew my body, compared to how I saw myself. It was a total kick.

I want to be healthy, it's true, and I don't want problems to creep in as I get older. But, having said that, if I'm curvy, that's what I am. Your attitude is far more important than your weight or the size of anything.

NYCfemBBW, when I met you at the Reunion, I didn't even notice size. I thought, "Wow, I love her hair!" .

I recommend the book "Feel Good Naked" by Laure Redmond. It's not a diet, although it recommends healthy eating (both content and how we eat). It's much more about self-esteem from the inside out. That to me, is hot in anyone.

Seeing the Artwork of another of how they see us is truly eye-opening and inspiring! Even though I’m from a family BBWs and some BHM and had positive role models, there have been times when my body confidence has wobbled. I’ll always have cuddles and curves thanks to my genetics.

It’s funny (….not funny haha!) that all the BBWs I’ve known, many are fairly healthy eaters and do a lot of walking.

Yesterday, one of the blokes at the Disabled Arts Studio started dancing to the music that was playing….to say he was dancing like your Dad at a family Wedding was an understatement! LOL! He had his thumbs up in the air and said: “This music’s got a good beat!” I was struggling to breathe I was laughing so hard! LOL!

Today, K has seen me at my worst! She is handling me in a foul mood well and I’ve apologised to her and explained why I’m feeling like this. I always explain my bad moods and apologise that way people know where they stand (or sit if they are doing so, lol!).

It’s so sad when someone dies young….

[Gemme]

I went to a small Burlesque show last night and even though it was a typical 6th street Austin deal, with standing room only and the patrons being squished in the space like sardines, I absolutely loved it.

The women were all sizes and fantastical and lovely and they celebrated humor and sexiness and there was even one butch-femme type of number.

Loved it.

*I* felt sexy watching them being sexy on stage. Their confidence rained down on me like the glitter and confetti one of the girls shook out into the crowd.

These aren't from last night, but it's the same troupe:

[Soft*Silver]

I love this thread! Jen, a wonderful idea!

I havent been around much lately because I am busy opening a....wait for it.....

A plus size women's resale shop!

Oh yes indeedy! I have over 80 bags of clothes in my dining room (its massive the mountain it created!) and am picking up more bags tomorrow from 4 other people. I have people from NJ, Mass, Vt, Florida, and Texas sending me clothes for my shop! For free!

why free? Because as soon as they hear about my shop, they immediately feel "part of"..they want it to succeed because they want a place of their own! It is as much a social experience as well as a retail location!

My case worker at our Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and my advisor from our local small business dept of our university are working closely with me to develop a business plan, select a location, make purchases, etc. They have never seen an automatic flood of donations to a business that is not a non profit, before in their lives!

I feel alive again. I feel like I am giving back once more. And I feel wanted. I get messages and emails every day from women locally and across the US who are hearing it from friends of friends. Some tell me their life story of how hard it was and still is to be a plus size. I share my own story, of the internal damage and how I had a life threatening eating disorder in my 20s because I wanted to be the "desired image", only to be sexually assaulted after obtaining that goal. When you objectify yourself, your obsession takes so much out of you. I have been very comfortable ever since then, about my weight. Even after my surgery on my stumach, and having lost weight, I will never be a size 8. I am always going to be a size 16 because thats where I feel the most comfortable. I realized it as soon as my weight dipped to 14. I was trying too hard to lose the weight the Drs expected me to lose. I am perfectly happy at 16. Then again, I was happy at size 22 too, but my body hurt with my conditions, from the extra weight.

So here I am, opening up this store and hearing everyone's life story. How sad it is that there is very little difference between the 64 year old telling me her story of growing up fat, and the 16 year old who is in the process of it. A couple have told me they never knew a single person who could say they were comfortable with weight, before they met me.

this little shop of mine is going to be "home" too. My case worker and advisor suggested for me to only sell online and give up the idea of a store front. I refused. This store is important to too many women. and to me. I am going to be doing monthly get togethers too, so we can meet and look at each other and see the beauty in all our shapes and sizes. I want to do a fashion show for a charity but right now, no one wants to do it except one woman. Give me time. They will sign up.

My shops name is The Pretty and Plus Shop. I hope you dont mind me talking about it in here. I am not trying to drum up business. I simply want to share this phenomena of the reaction I am getting!

[Martina]

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Martina

She's AMAzing sexy and sassy and humble, she's easy to like and love!

This thread is great and so full of warm & fuzzy it's nice thanks Jennifer!

[Toughy]

Have you seen her Vogue (I think it's Vogue) pictorial...........they really photo-shopped her.........
edited to add: I think the grammy picture above is photo-shopped

[Soft*Silver]

I met the most interesting woman today when i went to pick up some clothes she was donating to the TPAPS shop. Wild hair like fire and it reminded me of Medusa, (the greek legend, not just our site owner!) flaming out in stiff red and black vibrant curls all around her beautiful heart shaped face. Her grey eyeliner stroked easily over her soft grey eyes gave them a wolf look, a soothingly calm wildlife look that contrasted with her flaming riot of hair. Her lips were thin and red but stretched wide in embracing smiles to my spirit. Damn it was wonderful to be in her presence and to be gifted with her clothes. And oh what clothes they were! All in red and black and as wild as she is! But sweet and with an inner peace. I am still reeling with her contrasts!

When i got home and went thru her clothes, my hands slid over them and I thanked my goddesses for bringing me to these women, so I can share with them and them with me. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside when i think of her smile flashing at me as I left....I could feel how happy I made her by simply alllowing her to help other women feel good about themselves thru shared clothes. But its not just clothes. Its shared acceptance of our body images.

She is my wild fire medusa...and I just had to share her with you all tonight...

[Martina]

It's kinda hard to tell. She doesn't take a lot of full figure photos where you can see the outline of her body, but yes, her waist looks smaller than i would imagine it is.

Here is a fairly recent photo though that i imagine isn't photoshopped. It's not that different from the grammy pic.

[Licious]

thank you for starting this thread. subscribing

[Soft*Silver]

I secured my store site today! Its on the MAIN corner of the downtown area of the town next to mine. It is catty corner to two very popular and busy restaurants and is in an 100 year old building with high ceilings that have those precious molded forms! The landlord's last tenant destroyed the place so he has to repair and remodel it. He is now doing it to my specifications! It has a HUGE store window front! I was quivering how excited I was!

When i got home i had an email from a gal who said she hated herself. She gained 100 lbs since she was married. She only wore sweats and felt like a worthless unlovable being. Yet her husband adores her. She was so glad there was going to be a shop where she could go and not feel bad about herself when trying to buy clothes. She is exactly why i want to do this store. I saw photos of her and she is STUNNING. I am not kidding you! As beautiful as they come, could be a plus size model! And she hates herself.
Mirror mirror on the wall, why do I see someone I dont like at all?

[stonebutchinpa]

Originally Posted by Martina

I LOVE Adele! I think she is gorgeous and stunning. She has such a wonderful attitude about herself. She is incredibly beautiful inside and out.

This butch would fling hymself on stage just to get to her...or better yet swim to England to get close to her lol

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by stonebutchinpa

I LOVE Adele! I think she is gorgeous and stunning. She has such a wonderful attitude about herself. She is incredibly beautiful inside and out.

This butch would fling hymself on stage just to get to her...or better yet swim to England to get close to her lol

If you swim across to the UK, please don'y bring the snow! Please and Thank you!

[istolurboxers38]

I love this thread. I am just now really learning to really love being comfortable in my own skin. I just recently joined a gym with my kids and we play raquetball and lift weights. It is really cool they support me and help me out in keeping track of the weights I lift so I can see the progress. I like being fluffy there is more of me to love

[Leigh]

I miss coming to this thread, I'm a big girl and damn proud of it too ......... my new attitude is take me as i am or don't take me at all

[nycfem]

That's great that you are learning to love being comfortable in your own skin! I feel so comfortable in my body when I am exercising and love to spend hours at the gym working out. It is great to realize how strong we are and work up a good sweat. That's very sweet about your kids!

I've never really played raquetball. Sounds fun!

Originally Posted by istolurboxers38

I love this thread. I am just now really learning to really love being comfortable in my own skin. I just recently joined a gym with my kids and we play raquetball and lift weights. It is really cool they support me and help me out in keeping track of the weights I lift so I can see the progress. I like being fluffy there is more of me to love

[Soft*Silver]

One of my customers just sent me this..its what she wrote for our area paper. I didnt know she was a writer for our newspaper! Holy Moses!

With great anticipation, a new store will be opening soon in the Mahoning Valley . The Pretty and Plus Shop, a consignment and resale store catering to Plus size Women, the first of its kind in the area, will be opening July 7, 2012 at 8 State Street in Struthers, Ohio. The store carries clothes sizes large, up to 6x in women’s clothing, as well as accessories, jewelry, and shoes. The Pretty and Plus Shop will also have a small selection of plus-sized men’s clothing and accessories .

Proprietress, Teah Keshock-Crew, states This store is here to help “as well as support women of ample size. We often feel slighted by those of smaller sizes. From childhood to adulthood, we can be victimized by cruelty of strangers and even those we love. My store's credo is we are so much more than just numbers. We are not our dress size, nor how many pounds we weigh, not even our age matters when it comes to measuring our worth. Our value lies within us and how we live our lives...not what size pants we put on! So here is a happy place to come, to feel welcomed and appreciated. We are SO beautiful...and we celebrate our size-diversity!”

The store itself offers many amenities not found in other retail shops! There is a comfortable seating area to sit and meet other consigners/customers, as well as have a cup of free tea or coffee. A play area for children with games and books to keep them occupied while moms shop! Even a rocking chair and a changing table to make moms lives easier! The shop will even have some helpers this summer to keep an eye on the children!

The store will open in July, but Ms Keshock-Crew is now accepting consignments by appointment.

“I had a lady come in today, for the first time. She was so excited that the whole time she was in the shop, she was calling her friends and family, telling them all about the shop! Not only do they want to buy, they have lots of clothes they want to consign too...party clothes, chillin' clothes, church clothes, work clothes! Her enthusiasm with her friends on the phone just tickled me to no end! THIS is exactly why I opened this store! They were all so excited about having a place, an entire place, for our sizes!’ Ms Keshock-Crews stated.

For more information on the store or consignment information, contact (Contact info). There is also a face book group listed under The Pretty and Plus Shop

[LeftWriteFemme]