Is fat the new skinny?

Of course not!!! Not even me, the fat chick from way back, would take that sort of view on the subject of fat.  It is a little befuddling though how all these years have gone by and society still has the same view point on fat people – they eat too much and do not care about themselves and that is why they are fat.  Obviously anyone who is fat eats too much, right?

Over the past couple of years I had lost approximately 60 pounds with the best ever Scarsdale Diet taking liberal breaks in between the serious dieting.  After I stopped focusing on dieting I was teetering within 10 pounds of what I lost for several months.  At the beginning of October I was still at that weight, but right before Thanksgiving I got on the scale because I had a feeling I had put more weight back on.  Well was I shocked to see it was a whopping 20 pounds in a matter of four to six weeks.  Was it because I was stuffing my face morning,noon, and night?  No.  Was it because I was no longer exercising 12 hours a day?  No, because I do not even exercise 12 hours in a month 🙂  I was talking to a friend about it and she actually reminded me about October and November when I had an extra doctor to transcribe with all my regular work and she remembered me being totally stressed out about my work load.  Talking about a light bulb moment…That was it!!

Hate to sound like a broken record here but to say that all fat people are fat because they eat too much is such a bunch of cockamamie hoopla spoken from skinny people who have always been skinny and think the reason why they are so wonderfully proportioned is because of their rigid exercise program and healthy eating….No, you just happen to be one of the lucky ones not born with the fat gene.  If you ate at McDonald’s every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner and topped it off with an evening dessert of my good buddies Ben & Jerry you would still be skinny.  And you would still suck.  Ha!  Just kidding!!

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!

Being fat is a choice…is it??

I think we all know where I stand on this issue, pretty sure the answer is a big fat NO.  Being fat is not always a choice.  We do have control of our lifestyle which can absolutely affect weight on a daily basis, however, to suggest that genetics plays only a minor role is seriously a bunch of crap.  Period.  The author of the article, “Confessions of a Chubster – The moral crusade on fatties” states, “Being fat is a choice. Genetics plays a role, sure. So does your upbringing. But you do not get fat unless you’re eating more than you need to nourish your body. That’s basic science.”  http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18663-confessions_of_a_chu.html

Basic science in his case obviously provided him without the metabolic challenge that many people, including myself, deal with every day.  He says you do not get fat unless you are eating more than you need to.  Again, a bunch of crap.  I hate to repeat myself but we all know someone who can put away food like there is no tomorrow and stay fit and lean while others who even just think about a pint of Ben & Jerry’s gain 5 pounds.  That is just the way it is and, yes, it is science.  To put it simply, those people were not born with the wonderfully nondiscriminatory fat gene!!! 

He mentions upbringing as contributory but does not elaborate whether he was a chubby kid or not.  Back in the years when I was a kid in the 60’s to 70’s, my diet was controlled by what my mother cooked and school lunches.  I was always a fat kid.  Was I overeating??  No.  We did not have an abundance of snacks in house like candy, chips, or other junk food.  If we wanted an evening snack it usually would consist of saltines with peanut butter or fruit.  Ice cream was a real treat, and certainly not daily consumption, and eating out was a rare occasion.  We were not allowed soda with our meals and to really bring home my point, I am from a household where you literally drank juice in a “juice glass” for the portion size.  See where I am going with this??

Kudos to the author for losing 100 pounds in 8 months!  It once again just reiterates my point that everyone is different and what will work for one may not work for another.  I am sure more will agree with me that his success is what is so deftly phrased as “Results not typical.” 

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

• Willpower is not endless…who knew?? (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)

Cruise ships and fat chicks…

First let me intro this with a little history.  Many may recall the show The Love Boat back in the 1980’s.  I loved that show! I still remember the song – “…The Love Boat soon will be making another run, The Love Boat promises something for everyone, set a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance…” I used to daydream about being on a cruise ship and going to exciting places and having fun all night dancing and going to the shows.

I couldn’t wait until the day I could go on a cruise myself and the day did finally come a couple of years after my son was born. We were going on a five-day Carnival cruise stopping in Key West and Cozumel. I was so excited. It was everything I had imagined and even better with yummy drinks, great entertainment, and food everywhere – that is until I went to use the shower.  Now I understand that they design these ships for maximum capacity and that is all good unless you are a little heavier than the average cruiser.  I was attempting to take a shower in my luxurious shower stall, which seriously didn’t appear to be more than a foot wide, when it seemed like there was a problem with the water.  It kept going on and off, on and off. I was starting to get a little irritated until I realized that with every move I made because it was such a tight fit I kept hitting the knob and turning the water on and off! I still laugh when I think about it!

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!

Ditch the diet and live longer!

The article starts out by asking, “Are you a reluctant dieter?”  What kind of question is that?  Is there anybody out there that likes being on a diet?

“The researchers said the idea that weight is harmful has been “exaggerated” and people who are little heavier may actually live longer. The California University (CU) study that looked at about 350,000 people in the US also suggested that the obese put their health in greater danger when they obsessively try to slim down.”

“It recommended that people should eat a varied and balanced diet, and take “enjoyable” amounts of exercise — even if they still end up carrying a few extra pounds. The researchers also noted that society’s obsession with dieting is “ineffective” and often leads to people becoming fatter as they crave food and binge, the Daily Mail reported.”

As a professional dieter and fat expert myself, this article comes as no surprise to me.  I know I am fat but I also know I am healthy.  The article refers to society’s obsesssion with dieting but the real bottom line is society’s obsession with what is considered “normal.”  This is what is most aggravating.  Who creates the “normal” guidelines anyway?  We are all familiar with the ones from the doctor’s office that say if you are this tall, this age, and have this body structure you should be this weight.  Really?  If that were true then everybody would look the same and how “normal” would that be?

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!

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-25/science/28374891_1_heart-disease-poor-diet-balanced-diet

Eat Twinkies and lose weight…

“Lose weight by eating Twinkies…The Junk Food Diet?” – According to this article, Mark Haub lost 27 pounds in eight weeks by eating basically a diet in which two-thirds of his food intake included nothing but junk food like Twinkies, Little Debbie snacks, etc. He maintained an 1,800 calorie diet which also included one protein shake, a multivitamin, a can of green beans, and a few stalks of celery. So the protein shake, celery, and can of green beans probably totalled about 320 calories so that means approximately 1,480 calories was made up of sweets. Generally speaking, Little Debbie snacks range in calories from 170 to 310 so he ate about six of these snacks during the day. His cholesterol actually lowered several points during this eight weeks too if you can believe it.

I am not really sure of the point of this particular diet, unless it was to show that it does not matter what your caloric intake actually consists of, but just limit your caloric intake and you will still lose weight. I guess he offset the obvious unhealthy aspect of the diet with the protein shakes, veggies, and multivitamin which would make sense. However…

All I have to say is – Yuck. Little Debbie snacks and sweets like that certainly would not be my choice of junk food following an 1,800 junk food diet…more like Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk which is 310 calories per serving, which of course means a whopping calorie count of 1,240 for the pint. Please tell me who actually cracks open a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and eats only a half a cup??

http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/lose-weight-eating-twinkies-junk-food-diet/

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!

Lifestyle can offset the fat gene…

Anyone who has been following my blog or has read my book knows that I am a firm believer in the fat gene, and that yes I have it. “We know that genetics plays the dominant role in determining body mass index,” says Arya Sharma, one of the country’s foremost obesity researchers at the University of Alberta.

“Exercise will not help everyone lose weight,” Dr. Sharma says. Although slimming down is just one of many reasons to exercise, he notes that “the more genetically predisposed you are to gaining weight, the more effort it’s going to take to override those genes.” Did he just say what I thought he said?? Exercise will not help everyone lose weight…

“But before anyone concludes that diet and exercise are futile weapons in the war on weight, researchers have also found that the simple eat-less, move-more strategy can overcome the known genetic susceptibilities for excess weight. Some people just have to move much, much more and eat far, far less to see results.”

Move much, much more and eat far, far less….and this will offset the fat gene. Okay, show of hands of how many people want to exercise three to four hours a day and have a balanced diet of rabbit food in order to actually offset this dang gene?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/skinny-genes-how-dna-shapes-weight-loss-success/article1873494/page1/

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!

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!

Finally, a little vindication for the fat chicks….

According to an the article on WebMD  “New Genes Linked to Obesity, Belly Fat” http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20101011/new-genes-linked-to-obesity-belly-fat?page=2 – two studies have identified 18 new genes linked to overall obesity and 13 more that influence whether your weight goes to your belly or to your thighs (the lovingly labeled apple shape or pear shape body).  These new findings may explain why blanket recommendations about exercise and eating right just don’t work for a lot of people.  Wow, imagine that.  This is exactly one of the points I was making in my book, Making Light of Being Heavy.

Anyone who is just normally skinny seriously cannot wrap their head around any reason for another person being fat, and these people include physicians, counselors, experts, etc., unless it is one of the obvious incorrect assumptions including eating too much, not enough exercise, and basically not taking care of oneself.  These studies do not surprise me in the least, but actually make total sense and validate my lifelong struggle with weight and many others like me.  Apparently, the more obesity genes you have the greater chance for you to have the risk of obesity and even greater difficulty in maintaining a “normal weight.”  Personally, I think the whole “normal weight” theory is a bunch of hogwash anyway because as I have said before, if we all fit perfectly into the predetermined guidelines set forth by our physicians, counselors, experts, etc. we would all be the same size.  And how normal would that be??

So there you have it, proof genetics plays a key role in our weight.  I am thinking I should e-mail Dr. Victor Bellonzi a copy of this information.  In my September 9, 2010, blog, “Fat gene or no fat gene…” Dr. Bellonzi states that genes are irrelevant to weight – http://www.diettr.com/the-staggering-cost-of-obesity-increases-to-100-billion-per-annum.html. With as many initials behind this guy’s name as he has you would think some common sense would come along with it but, as I said, he probably has never had a problem with his weight and doesn’t have the fat gene.

To all my fellow fat chicks and professional dieters, give yourself a break!  Life is good, get out and enjoy it – things will fall into place.

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!