FaTshion Outfit of the Week.

It's 100 F here in Toronto today. If you're a kid you could fry an egg on the sidewalk to test that out. I'm out with The Girls tonight for a few Mohito's on a breezy patio, which led me to this post...I was deciding what to wear and was reminded of an experience I had when I bought this outfit.

I absolutely love linen in these hot Canadian summers, although I find it difficult to find good linen pieces here. I found a fabulous little shop in Florida that not only has beautiful linen clothes from Denmark and Germany, they have them in my size.

I'm a big girl...size 10 feet and I wear a US size 16/18. Which make me a Plus Size in most shops, a Special Size at Bergdoff Goodman, relegated to Salon Z in Saks, and pretty well the back corner near the washrooms in most Canadian department stores, and FAT to all other shops and designers. I CANNOT find fashionable pieces in my size in Canada. I order a lot from the US, from Navabi in Germany (they have wonderful European brands) and a few random sites such as Svoboda for jeans. So when in Florida, I frequent this little NAMELESS shop and buy great summer pieces. 

I had a good selection in my size, and ended up at the cash with this lovely peachy/nude linen top, this pair of cream linen balloon trousers as well as a few other tops, pants and a bracelet. The sales woman was wrapping my goods and I said to her how glad I was that they carried clothes in XL and XXL as it was hard to find such lovely fashionable clothes.

 To which she replied..

"you know it's all about portion control, if you put less on you plate, you'll eat less and lose weight"

I was really pissed.

REALLY.

What business was it of hers to judge me that I eat large quantities of food. Does she think that I haven't tried eating less, grapefruit diets, pills, shakes, exercise, medical advice and every bloody trick in the book. When I met my LONG LOST |FAMILY, I noticed how similar 50% of them were in body type. There IS a genetic pre-disposition to being overweight, and that may be half my battle. I've been to a dietitian, counselling ,weight watchers etc and still can;t keep my weight down. 

I seldom overeat, seldom touch junk food, and always cook from scratch with nothing but fresh ingredients. My green recycle bin is always full.  No processed foods in our house.

On the other hand, I walk for 50-60 minutes a day, do yoga 3 times a week (at home video) and despite my weight, I have perfect blood sugar, low blood pressure, perfect cholesterol, heart rate etc. Other than a knee injury and arthritis in my hand, I am in good health. My doctor is pleased, although she does encourage me to keep active and my weight down to avoid future issues. She reassures me that I have a large frame and I am healthy.

I take NO Medication and other than antibiotics for strep, never have.

Having said that, I do know I am fat. I would like to be thinner. BUT, I don't need ANY comments from a self righteous sales clerk or any one else for that matter.

My own father, who was overweight himself, never failed to make a comment about my weight. Note to all Fathers, DO NOT ADDRESS YOUR DAUGHTER's WEIGHT. Don't even go there for 2 seconds.

Fat seems to be one of the last in the arena's of Social Faux Pas's and political correctness, that people still feel free to comment openly, laughingly and without fear of criticism. 

I've had many, many comments in my life. They all hurt very much.

Making comments to and about fat people is being a bully.

Take the statement "Look at that Fat Chick"

Now substitute the word FAT for

Black

Gay

Retarded

Crippled

Trailer Trash

These are things we DO NOT SAY anymore.

INCORRECT

Everyone has an issue, most are well hidden and not in the open. FAT is not a topic for ridicule. As I always told my kids, "You never know what people are dealing with. Treat them as you would your own mother, sister, girlfriend etc." And if your mother's fat, do you want people making fun of her?

As a sales clerk, you can help by finding clothes in the store that flatter bigger bodies and fit well.

So that's my FaTshion outfit of the week.

Over and Out.