Tips for Making Light of Being Heavy…

I do not think there is a number of different ways to do this, actually only one. Change your reaction to whatever the incidence may be. Sounds vague but it really isn’t. Let me give you a couple of examples not related to being fat, but same concept. Years ago when my stepdaughters Nadia, age 10, and Natasha, age 12, and I were driving to the mall some teenage kids in the back seat of the car in front of us made obscene gestures…. you guessed it, they flipped us the bird. Well of course the girls were horrified and were like, “Kandy did you see that!!” and I started laughing. I told them to start waving and smiling at them like they knew them and so they did. Needless to say the teenagers turned back around seeing that their instigation did nothing to upset us. As we were walking into the mall the girls were laughing no longer the least bit concerned about the rudeness of the other people.

Another example would be when my son Nick played the sax in the school band. He was getting upset about this boy in front of him who would always turn around and scowl at him if a loud “squeak” was made during the music, basically insinuating it was my son that made the annoying noise with his instrument. After he mentioned it a couple of times I told him that the next time the boy turned around to scowl at him to just give him a wink and smile. Nick started laughing when I said this but I told him I guaranteed it would work.

Relating to being a fat chick, one incidence comes to mind a few summers ago when Nick and I were at the beach walking down the sidewalk to the pier. The area was really crowded because it was the 4th of July and everyone was in good spirits and having a great time. All of a sudden some guy, obviously under the influence of something, leaned out his window in his truck and yells sarcastically to me. “Hey beautiful!! I love you!! Please marry me!!” I blew him a kiss and yelled, “I love you too baby!!” Nick lost it laughing and we continued with our great day at the beach.

We cannot control the actions of other people, but we can control our reaction.

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Related Articles

• Check out these reviews… (makinglight.wordpress.com)
• Another great book review… (makinglight.wordpress.com)

I’m not fat…I’m big boned!

My mother to this day will tell you that I was not fat growing up.  There are pictures in my book that prove otherwise…Oh the love of a mother.  Fat gene or skinny gene…it’s a roll of the genetic dice that I lost.  I believe that it was my mother’s point of view that inevitably gave me mine. I have a very good friend that has struggled with her weight since childhood too but she has told me before how her mother would make negative comments about her weight rather than being supportive. I think she has bitter feelings about being fat directly related to this. I know that given the opportunity to be left alone with little Johnny who did not pick her for the kickball team in the fifth grade – because she was the “fat kid” – it could get a little messy….and not for her.  My mother never harped at me about my weight or told me I was fat. According to her I was just “big-boned.” To me I was fat. Today I am fat. I am not angry about, mad at anybody because of it, and know that there are reasons for it but also know that even as I lose weight I will never be skinny. And I do not want to be skinny. I was not born to be a skinny chick even if my doctor tells me that at my height of 5’6” and large frame I should weigh something like 130.  Sorry, that is never going to happen – it is a physical improbability!

In Making Light of Being Heavy there are pictures of me at around 170 my senior year in high school. I had dieted like mad to get into a dress that I bought for senior prom and I was “skinny.” I can remember my dad coming up beside me at the dinner table one night pointing out my shoulder bone and hip bone and telling me to stop with the dieting. But according to the weight guidelines I was obese!

People should find a comfortable weight for them and consider that their weight guideline and just smile politely at their doctor who whips out the chart that says otherwise. A person’s main focus should be that they are healthy. I may be fat but I am healthy. People will ask how that is possible… if I am fat I must automatically be unhealthy. I am 44 and even though I am considered in the medical field “obese,” I do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, varicose veins, joint problems, etc. Am I just lucky?

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Related Articles

• Fat, the F Word (thehungryfab.com)
• Finally, a little vindication for the fat chicks…. (makinglight.wordpress.com)

The inspiration for Making Light of Being Heavy…

Making Light of Being Heavy was inspired by my daily life as a fat chick.  Specifically, one summer day a friend and I were in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with our kids just walking along the sidewalk when this young athletic guy driving a pedicab (a ride that is driven by a person on a bike) pulls along side us waiting for a light. I looked over at him and asked him with a smile, “Hey cutie, what’s the weight limit on that ride?”  Now both my friend and I topped out at over 300 pounds each so you can just imagine what this 160-pound guy must be thinking!  He looked at us as though he was trying to come up with a “safe” figure to not hurt our feelings and with a confident grin said “500 pounds.”  I jokingly laughed with my friend and said that we wouldn’t be getting a ride on that anytime soon! 

As we were walking away, my friend commented on how cool it would be to write a book about the funny side of being fat.  Now, of course, this is all perception but I have always had a great sense of humor and I started recalling incidents in the past that I laughed about, specifically regarding my weight.  When I started writing Making Light of Being Heavy and adding my perspective, I realized that this might actually help some women to have a different outlook on their struggles with weight as being fat is already hard enough with all the negativity that comes along with it.  One of my friends read my rough draft and commented that it was a great self-esteem booster and how it also provided a lot of insight into the life of a fat chick that she was not expecting.  It made me feel good to know that if I could just get this book out there, it might actually help some women. So then it began – my goal to get the book published. 

This book may be a quick read, but with a little bit of humor and a lot of realty it sure does pack a punch!

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Related Articles

• The inspiration for Making Light of Being Heavy… (makinglight.wordpress.com)
• Tips for Making Light of Being Heavy… (makinglight.wordpress.com)
• I’m not fat…I’m big boned! (makinglight.wordpress.com)

Another great book review…

As I mentioned earlier in my blog, the virtual book tour went very well this past November and December with several good reviews. My intention for my book Making Light of Being Heavy was to provide a funny and positive look at life as a fat chick. To put it simply, this book is observations and opinions from a fat chick’s point of view. Nowadays it seems like everyone’s way of thinking is society driven and is based on what they see in the media, or years and years of incorrect assumptions with which, of course, comes lots of negativity. It is really great to hear from reviewers that totally appreciated my perspective. I know that for many women, having a sense of humor is hard to pull off when you are fat – but I hope my book helps, even just a little bit, by putting a smile on their face and perhaps a new outlook in their daily struggles with weight.

Jennifer from Rundpinne states, “Frank, honest, witty and to the point, Making Light of Being Heavy by Kandy Siahaya takes a closer look at life and what it is like to be fat (yes, it is okay to use the term fat, see page 55). Siahaya debunks many myths and misconceptions that float around such as those who are fat must be ignorant, lazy, unmotivated, with low self-esteem. Through humour, personal experiences and research, Siahaya writes frankly about her life, diets, exercise, the worst things people have said and done and ultimately shows the reader that she is a strong woman who is happy to be who she is. How many people, regardless of shape can honestly say they love themselves for who they are, just as they are? The diet industry would not be so powerful and wealthy if people accepted themselves. Siahaya is not recommending a life of non-exercise and unhealthy habits, rather she is merely stating that one can be fit and fat and still be happy. I found myself laughing along with Siahaya and so very pleased she decided to share her thoughts, insights, and experiences with the world. I would recommend Making Light of Being Heavy to all readers, and maybe, more understanding, tolerance, and acceptance will be the result.”

http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/12/book-tour-and-review-making-light-of-being-heavy-by-kandy-siahaya.html

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Top 10 List…

With so much negativity out there about being fat, in my book I decided to focus on some positive points for us fat chicks and created a “Top 10 Good Things About Being Fat” list.  Seriously people, who has time to be negative – enjoy every day like there is no tomorrow and stop sweating the small stuff!!

10.  It gives new material for “Yo’ mamma so fat…” jokes.

 9.   You will live longer if lost in the woods.

 8.    It is common knowledge that fat girls have better personalities.      

7.    Better insulation – I haven’t bought a winter coat in over 10 years.

6.    Sorry skinny girls, but some men do like more meat with their potatoes.

5.    Fat girls have bigger boobs.

4.    In relation to # 5, our upper bodies can be used as flotation devices.

3.    Built in Botox for our faces. 

2.    We can pig out whenever we want because people think we do anyway. 

And the number one good thing about being fat is….

1.    Guaranteed to have a marriage proposal by at least one man over the age of 60.

Hey!  Check out my YouTube video – Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQR5AC-r9qU

With a bunch of butt shots with measurements (yes I said measurements!) coming up to the slow rocking beat of stripper music, my video Fat Chicks and Unfriendly Chairs definitely has the market cornered on making light of being heavy 🙂  Making Light of Being Heavy is a comical book with opinions and observations from a fat chick’s point of view that puts an unexpected and funny spin on dealing with the fat gene!

Until next time, keep laughing!

Check out these reviews…

As mentioned earlier in my blog, this past November and December I had a successful virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotions.  It was very gratifying to get great reviews from readers who truly understood the point of Making Light of Being Heavy.  As I said in my preface, this book is not just for fat chicks – it is for anyone who wants a good laugh and a good dose of enlightenment on such a touchy subject. 

Tina’s Book Reviews states, “Hilarious….for once an actual book about being fat that is honest, raw and funny. While I don’t know what it’s like to grow up with obesity or the “fat“ as Kandy refers to throughout the book, I have struggled after my pregnancies to lose weight. It’s hard, frustrating and at times discouraging. I loved the honesty and accurate portrayal of the ups and downs of dieting and weight loss. Some of the comments were so dead-on I thought maybe she read my mind. Kandy walks through some very popular and unpopular diets that most of us struggling to lose weight have gone on. I personally have never tried these hard-core diets and they seem gross and painfully depressing!!  Mostly though this book made me laugh…..I loved that Kandy along with promoting the fact that diets are hard and a pain in the butt knew the importance of keeping your body at a reasonable weight and that most of these fad diets out there just don’t work in the long run. A fun guide for any of you out there wanting to lose weight or need a good laugh for encouragement.”

Books 4 Moms states, “This book has given me a lot of insight, not only into my own weight issues, but my self esteem issues as well.  I just love reading about other women who are going through the same thing I am, and knowing that I’m not alone in it and not crazy either.  The struggles of weight loss are never easy, but this book, Making Light of Being Heavy, will put a smile on your face no matter what weight issue you might have.  I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age who is struggling with their weight.  It’ll make you think.  It’ll make you smile and laugh.  It’ll make you feel good about your struggles and yourself.  Definitely worth the read!”

I will be posting more reviews in the days ahead.  Please see the links below. 

Until next time, keep laughing! 

http://www.tinasbookreviews.com/2010/11/making-light-of-being-heavy.html

http://www.books4moms.com/2010/11/making-light-heavy-kandy-siahaya/

 

Virtual Book Tour Success!

Hello everyone!  During the months of November and December my book Making Light of Being Heavy was on a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book promotions.  It was really a great tour and I received several awesome reviews. 

Over the next week or so I will be posting some of the blog interview links and reviews that were included with the tour and also catch up on the blogging I have missed through the holiday season. 

Until next time, keep laughing!