The Fat Positive Lounge

[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]

I use to love playing raquetball! But the action is too fast for me now and I hit with my bad arm, so no can play anymore. Someday!

We just got back from hauling huge boxes of every kind of hanger you can imagine, into the store's storage. And fixtures. So many diff ways to hang clothes! I got a special gold bar and chain so i can hang it off the ceiling high to hang my wedding and evening gowns. Beautiful!

I still have another load to do. The couple I am getting this stuff from were scrabbling so I had to call it a day. If I tried to do a second load I think they would have divorced,lol. Moving things out from one's dream crashing (she had to close down her store) is so stressful. So Monday I go back...

I was dancing with the mannequin's yesterday. Tralalalala....my own music, my own theme song...a cross between Rocky and Bambi's theme songs..lol

[Soft*Silver]

thanks to a wonderful benefactor, I was able to layaway two beautiful showcases for my jewelry. Not only am I selling store bought jewerly, I have local artists who are making/designing special lines for my store that cannot be purchased anywhere but in my store!

Here is what one of them looks like! They light up and lock!

[1QuirkyKiwi]

My Doctors Surgery has recently been taken over by a new set of GPs; there's a part of me this is nervous because they see my size and weight and automatically assume I'm unhealthy.

The precious GP at my practice was a locum covering for my old GP who has sold the practice after having a baby. He was insisting my weight was an issue on two grounds;
1. Was my blood work (he reckoned my Cholesterol would be high and my Liver Function Tests would be high also).
2. That I had Arthritis in my Spine.

He sent me for another MRI and I cheekily added to the request form that a copy of the results go to my Consultants.

My MRI test results do not show any signs of Arthritis at all! Both my Consultants showed me the scan of my Spine. What is clearly seen is my complicated form of Spina Bifida Occulta. My joints (including my Pelvis) are clear; meaning no sigh of deterioration leading to Arthritis.

Both of my Consultants have said that my Spine (despite my SB) is very strong and well looked after.

My blood results (except my Hb, RBC and Ferritin levels due to my Alpha-Thalassaemia, which are always in my boots, which are down stairs in the shoe cabinet, lol!) are well within normal and healthy ranges. My Cholesterol is 3.3 and my fasting Glucose Serum is 3.6. The UK range is 2.5 - 7.8.

My hope is that my new GP will see these results and not judge me on my size and weight!

I've always believed that being a BBW doesn't mean that the woman's health is bad. It's not possible to see what's going on inside our bodies, but, being fat is not necessarily a time bomb waiting to go off!

Mis Tia, Good Luck with your new venture! I hope the shop is a great success!

[nycfem]

So true! And I am so happy to hear your news. Thanks so much for sharing.

Luckily I don't have medical issues that require frequent trips to the doctor, but for those who do, many doctors take the easy way out of helping us, blaming weight on issues that have nothing to do with the actual issue. I wouldn't say I have a "fat positive" doctor per se, but he also has never used my weight as a reason not to successfully address any problem that I've had over the years. My weight is not brought up unless I bring it up. I'm thankful for that, and it's a big reason why I keep him! What a danger it is for all the people who have to go to doctors and hear the same trite diet advice and fat phobic, ignorant shaming, while treatable problems are left not addressed. It's no wonder fat people sometimes avoid the doctor because of this! Each of us is worth finding the right doctor!

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

I've always believed that being a BBW doesn't mean that the woman's health is bad. It's not possible to see what's going on inside our bodies, but, being fat is not necessarily a time bomb waiting to go off!

[LaneyDoll]

Originally Posted by 1QuirkyKiwi

What is clearly seen is my complicated form of Spina Bifida Occulta.

I have this too!!! Do you find that when your back hurts, it hurts really, really, really bad?

[Soft*Silver]

so my landlord STILL has not done the carpets but he has made me a key finally. Progress! LOL.

I got to spend an entire day with horses yesterday. if you know me, you know how much I love horses and need them in my life. Well, today I cant walk. I cant sit up. I am in so much pain but its glorious pain! People who knew me before my surgery all squealed over the weight I had lost.But then they all said, "gee, we thought you would get skinny"

seriously? Another round of "your surgery was a failure. Doesnt matter that I can breath and my stumach isnt coming out of my mouth anymore...geee...

so tomorrow I go into my store ("my store" omg..it sounds so good!) and start to put together my office. Photos, files, decor, etc. I need to make it my special place.

Maybe i am emotional...but honestly I just wanted to cry when i typed "my store"...

I am so glad I have this place to come to and talk about it too. It means so much to me that there is a group of people who understand and can relate to why this is so important to me

[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]

[LeftWriteFemme]

[Soft*Silver]

hah! We are having a beach party all of July at the Pretty & Plus Shop! I have a huge arch that goes over the doorway that is filled with moss and ferns and lights and star fish, fishnetting, etc. The window displays will be filled with sand and seashells and bathing attire and picnic baskets! All summer wear will be 25% off and anyone who sends me a photo to put on my FB group gets 50% off one item! I cant wait! Its going to be wild!

I am SO not ashamed of my fat body in a swimsuit! Let 'em see me! As if clothes ever covers up bulk! Clothes dont make us thinner...anymore than baggy clothes makes a thin person heavier! Its just an illusion to the wearer...so once we accept that, we can either accept what size we are and agree that whatever we wear reflects that size, or we do something to change that size and not pretend clothes can make that difference...

so...me, size 18...is taking photos this week in bathing suits and gonna post them for the world to see! Happy me! And Imma an old woman who is saucily gonna be eating a hot dog in the photos...

dont call me old or fat like its they are bad things...if you only knew what this body knows, you would bow down and revere me....lol

[LeftWriteFemme]

I think this girl may be or have gone on to drink the but I thought the blog was good none the less

[LeftWriteFemme]

I think this girl is awesome and I love how her family is her family and embraces who she is!

[nycfem]

This was such a delight to watch! How did you even find this?

Originally Posted by LeftWriteFemme

[nycfem]

LMAO! This was so smart, funny, and feminist! Loved it!

Originally Posted by LeftWriteFemme

[Soft*Silver]

tomorrow is the grand opening of my plus sized clothing store. I am exhausted. I have spent the last few days working 9 to 12 hours each day. Not alot for most of you, but for me and my disabilities, its horrible on my poor body. But I wouldnt miss this for anything! It has been so wonderful doing this, meeting everyone, getting such wonderful support, and hearing so many stories from women!

I need to go to bed. I have an early day tomorrow and even tho I have insomnia, by god, I am sleeping tonight! LOL

[Soft*Silver]

the grand opening was more than I ever hoped for! We had tons of customers and sold lots of clothes and so many people made appts to bring in clothes to consign! People loved the shop, and promised to come back again and bring friends with them! From teens to eldery ladies, they all came. I was so proud of my store!

My sister and my niece came for support. Bless their hearts. I couldnt have done this without my family and friends who have been there for me. Including this forum! I will be posting photos later, of the incredible art work the Scrapbooking thread folks made for the store. It says "you are so beautiful" and I have it across the bannisters in the back, so that when people walk in, they see the sign greeting them. Its LOVELY!

I am home, feet up, relaxing. I am BEAT. LOL. But I am so tickled that my store is finally opened!

[LeftWriteFemme]

I ran across these.......thought they were sweet....but the name of the ad campaign caused me to post them here




http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat...-campaign.html