I Am Fat. Now What?
April 21, 2011 | Filed under Body
I’ve alluded to it a few weeks earlier, and now I’m going to come out and just call a spade a spade: I am fat. I completely understand that I wasn’t built to be slim. I am naturally an Australian size 12. The size of my breasts make it difficult for me to be anything less, as I become overly out of proportion (even as a size 10, I still had E cup breasts). The last time I was a size 10, I had just spent six weeks in China eating one or two quick meals a day, with the rest of my daily diet being supplemented with half a bottle of hard spirits that more often than not, ended up negating the food I did eat through the process of chucking up after a big night of dancing till dawn.
I was a size 12 right through my teenage years, and have hovered around the size 12/14 mark for the past four years. I am now decidedly a large size 14, and I’m not happy. I only have myself to blame – an increasingly sedentary job in an office environment (yes, I run events, but 80% of my job is still in an office), a poorer diet when living alone, some degree of comfort eating in the light of certain personal issues and a tendency to just veg out in the evenings when I get home all adds up to becoming a lardarse. It is my aim to lose seven kilos. Losing seven kilos would bring me back to a comfortable body shape. I could start wearing my more form fitting dresses again. I would like to lose twelve kilos, which might get me to the stage where I’d look hot rocking a miniskirt and hooker heels again.
Diet is something I’ve been considering, with some options being meal replacement shakes for breakfast, or joining a program like Lite N’ Easy where they deliver all your calorie-controlled meals to you. The easier option of course would be learning how to do portion control, which is a problem for someone with issues with self-control and comfort eating. In terms of exercise, since the end of March, I have been doing thirty to forty minutes on the elliptical every night I’ve been home. That’s around fifteen to sixteen nights of exercise of medium intensity exercise so far. While this may all be psychological, I feel like it’s already making a little bit of a difference – in general fitness if nothing else. I’m also hoping to get off at a train station further away from my workplace on the three days a week that I work in the city, and get an extra half hour walk.
So what’s going to happen is that I’m going to post a photo of me in this exact outfit on the 21st of each month (I’m too embarrassed to show myself in a bikini like I have previously). I don’t own a scale so I have no idea how much I weigh exactly, but I care more about how I look, than how much I weigh. Please feel free to point out every bit of cellulite and dimply skin you see. Point out every bulge and excess flab. All criticism can only help spur me on to want to get myself into better shape!
19 Responses to I Am Fat. Now What?
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I think you look fine and in proportion. But that’s just me. I need to do the opposite of you, I need some sort of fat in a certain area but I think I have too high of a metabolism.. :\ Good luck though! :)
Maggie on April 21, 2011 #
haha, I like how you write a post with photos of chocolate chip muffins, and then a post about watching your weight :-P
Good luck with your weight loss! I’m skinny, but in terrible shape at the moment due to general laziness. Maybe your resolution will inspire me to try harder as well :)
However, I refuse to point out any flaws I see because AHH, that is mean! and it will make you feel down on yourself, which is lame! :D
Rose on April 22, 2011 #
You are soooooo not fat! You’re not even chunky! You should come to America, then you’ll know what fat is. :-P Honestly, I could lose a few pounds too, but my goal for my low carb diet is to get my hormones back in balance, since I do have high testosterone levels.
You’ve got a shapely bod! Flaunt it!!!!!
Kristine on April 22, 2011 #
We could be body twins. Seriously. :)
I’m trying to lose weight too – I’ve lost 11lbs since February. Which is good. My size 8 (US) jeans are finally fitting again. I’ve really just upped my fruit + veg intake and started walking a bit more, and while it hasn’t been super fast, I’ve lost about .5 – 1 lbs /week, so I’ll take it. :) I keep THINKING about working out, but ehh I’m lazy. But now with this whole wedding thing I’m starting to think about it a little more seriously!
Good luck! I know you can do it. :D
Jenny on April 22, 2011 #
how do AUS sized compare to US? you certainly don’t look like you’d be a size 14 over here!
Jennifer on April 22, 2011 #
7 kilos. I should get rid of 15kg at least. :( Feeling seriously uncomfortable in my current state. Want to be again size 36/38 (that’s fairly small here). I haven’t stopped wearing miniskirts though :P Mostly because my legs looks even worse if I wore trousers…
Good luck! I’m sure you can do it.
Hanna on April 22, 2011 #
Woman, you’re pretty much the size I’d like to be and you’re saying you’re fat?! You need to lose 7-12kg. Oh boo hoo! I have to lose 40! Excuse me for not being sympathetic. :P
Jealous fat bitch aside, I think getting in shape is always a good idea. You already have a (REALLY) nice shape, but it can’t hurt to tighten the bits you think are flooby up.
I recommend the 6 small meals a day thing. I’ve noticed on the days I do that, I feel A LOT less inclined to stuff my face at lunch or dinner and that can only be a good thing.
@Jennifer: An Aus 14 is a US 10.
Nellie on April 22, 2011 #
“I don’t own a scale so I have no idea how much I weigh exactly, but I care more about how I look, than how much I weigh.”
I completely agree with the sentiment but if you’re serious about losing weight you should probably buy some scales and start weighing yourself regularly; it’s been proven to significantly increase your chances of making your weight loss goal.
Tanya on April 22, 2011 #
If you do want to get serious about losing the weight, you should definitely try out some more things besides the elliptical. :) Changing it up keeps your body from getting too used to any one thing, making getting results a little bit easier. I rarely ever work out because I simply don’t have the time, but when I do, I like to switch between elliptical, pilates, and weights – those are all good things to do for general fitness, unless you’re trying to focus on one specific part, in which case you’d want to do some research.
Just, whatever you do, I don’t think you should do the meal replacement shakes or get the diet food deliveries. They’re loaded with all sorts of gross preservatives that you just don’t need to put in your body all the time – and I’ve heard lots of rumors about additives in delivered diet food that keep you somewhat addicted to them. Probably bullocks, but I doubt it’s worth the risk. 6 small meals a day is great. Since I don’t have time to work out, I just stick to my multiple small meals, and generally make my lunch only fruit (with some peanut butter dip, nom!). I’m naturally very, very small, but I’ve managed to keep it that way. It’s all about gradual maintenance!
Ashley on April 22, 2011 #
I agree with Ashley on doing more than just elliptical. Sit ups, push ups, other toning things. Classes maybe? That’s a better way to spend your money than on some food program, I think.
You can do it! Good luck!
gem on April 22, 2011 #
Ok, first of all… YOU ARE NOT FAT. Please stop with the hate language about yourself. Please. You’re not doing yourself any favors by emotionally beating yourself up like that and telling people to point out your flaws.
Look, I was fat. I weighed 260 lbs at 5’4″. That’s fat. In fact that’s morbidly obese. You are not fat.
So a few things for you from someone who lost over 100 lbs.
1 – meal replacements don’t work. you may lose weight, but when you go back to “normal” eating, you’ll gain weight back. plus you’ll be unhappy and feel deprived while you’re limiting yourself to shakes for a meal.
2 – cardio alone will not help you lose weight. start lifting weights and doing body weight workouts. what you want here is not only to burn fat, but to build muscle. muscle is metabolically active and will help you burn calories while at rest. it’ll also reshape your body
3 – learn to eat heathily and control your portions. going on a plan where other people deliver your food to you – same as point 1. what happens when you’re done and you go back to eating “normal’ food? you’re going to gain back the weight you lost
12 kilos should take you about 3-4 months to lose if you do it at a reasonable and healthy rate. A good rule of thumb is to aim to lose 10% of your overall weight per week – using a combination of healthy eating and reasonable exercise.
Good luck!
kh on April 22, 2011 #
Ack. Typo. That last sentence needs to read 1% of your overall body weight per week. If you weigh 160 lbs, you should lose about 1.6 lbs per week healthily.
kh on April 22, 2011 #
I was going to get on here and spout some advice, but kh already got there.
The big thing for you is that you need sustainable diet changes, not a diet. You’re not someone who needs to lose 30kg now or you’ll die, you’re a bit chubbier than you’d like. Gradual weight loss achieved through diet and exercise changes which you will maintain after you have achieved your ideal weight are the key. Meal replacements are only useful if you’re planning on sticking with them permanently.
As a first step, it would probably be a good idea to track your diet with something like Fitday. Just to see how much food you’re actually eating, and how much you need. I’m always shocked at what a “portion size” really is (tiny).
Then, kh is completely correct that some strength exercises are vital. As you lose weight, you also lose muscle mass. Which means you will burn less energy at rest, which means you will then gain more weight after you stop your diet (boo). I’m a big proponent of a proper weight lifting regime with free weights (avoid machines, they suck). But if you don’t want to go into a gym and do that, there are other options. Just don’t rely solely on cardio. It’s very important for your overall fitness and health, but it’s not the only tool for weight loss (and more to the point, getting an awesome body, which is actually the aim here).
Or just go and train with your friend at the muay thai gym. That will kick your arse into shape. :)
Rebekah on April 22, 2011 #
You should check out The Hacker’s Diet (http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/www/hackdiet.html). It’s a good read even if you’re not trying to lose weight just because of all the information it contains. It’s written by the guy who wrote AutoCAD (programmer, basically), and he approaches it very logically and without scare tactics or crap or gimmicks, and he’s very straightfoward, which might appeal to you.
My advice is to just write down everything you eat each day. Identify problem areas, and then eat less. Obviously keep exercising, but don’t fall into the trap of “I exercised 30 minutes on the treadmill, now I can eat a brownie.” Exercise because it’s good for you, not because it will burn calories.
That’s all I got. You can do it! Let us know how it’s progressing! We’re all rooting for you. :) I know a lot of people are saying “You’re not fat,” but I admire you taking charge about this. It’s better to cut back now than to gain 50 pounds and then try to lose weight, right? (disclaimer: I am not weightist/sizeist)
Becky on April 23, 2011 #
I definitely wouldn’t call you ‘fat’! there’s a huge difference between being larger than you’d like, and being fat.
might i suggest rather than aim at losing kg, you think in terms of cm you’d like to lose? it’s a better way to look at these sorts of things.
B on April 23, 2011 #
Hey, fuck you! I’m a size 14 too and I’m not fat. :P
Although I am carrying a bit of wobble that I’d like to get rid of (mostly ’cause I’m eating like I’m breastfeeding a newborn and Isabel hasn’t been a newborn for a loong time) I’m still the best weight I’ve even been.
That said, I’ve never been a size 10 so it’s easier for me to like what I’ve got ;)
Jem on April 26, 2011 #
Manda, you aren’t fat. You said it yourself – your body is naturally a size 12/14.
All you need to do is tone :) Your curve is still there…you know you’re fat when your hips meet your armpits :)
Having said that, weight watchers is awesome. I have a friend doing it and it’s great. I’M even doing it cos its fun. I obviously haven’t officially joined them cos I can’t but the whole Point System is fun.
SEXY!
April on April 28, 2011 #
Weight training! Gain muscle. It burns more energy than fat~
Don’t need to buy weights either.. just use bodyweights and the walls of your apartment =)
Mish on May 4, 2011 #
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