I was faced with the realization yesterday that I have gained a few pounds. This was a little shocking to me because I had been enjoying my weight loss and now I had to start worrying again about what I eat. I was also struck with a feeling of helplessness. I have to admit that my house doesn't contain much healthy food. This, combined with my near lack of self control when it comes to eating explains the five pounds I've gained.
I have been trying to console myself by saying that once summer is over and I am back at college, the weight will come of. For once, that isn't a false promise and I am truly looking forward to eating local food. I love going to the Farmer's Market, looking at all the vegetables that are misshapen and would be thrown out at a supermarket just because they aren't symmetrical. I like the people who mind the stands with dirt on their aprons from the produce. I love bringing it back and cooking a meal, the repetition of cooking and the wait for the onions to caramelize. But what happens when I'm back from the break?
My mom does the grocery shopping on Saturdays. Always at the same store, and usually the same products. There is little room for variety. Don't get me wrong, my mom is an amazing cook. It's because of her food that I usually don't like to eat at other people's houses and why restaurants are just places to go when she doesn't feel like cooking. However, her meals no longer fit into what my ideal kitchen is.
Toward the end of last year I had all but sworn-off Coke. At meal times I would get a sparkling water and I promised myself that I would continue the trend into the summer. However, I promptly went on a soda-binge. To confess, I had three cans of Diet Coke today. Why? I don't need the caffeine. It's probably the taste but also because I can't be bothered to think of anything else to drink. And also, it keeps showing up in the fridge.
My problems are mostly my own fault. I admit. I have a very passive attitude when it comes to my diet, preferring to forage and graze on what I find in the cupboards. I have a bag of quinoa that hasn't been touched in months sitting next to a half-empty bag of Lay's. I am really afraid of winter break and next summer. I'll have gone gluten and other allergen-free for months, and then come home to see a feast of untouchables in front of me. I hate that I am starting to develop an attitude of trying to get as much sweets and processed food as I can before I go to college because it will be the last chance I have for a while. But really, I won't miss the processed food that much. I am just making excuses for eating. So what's to stop me when I have a month of Christmas goodies to eat?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
More available online.
Bras are the primary foundation garment for the modern woman. We have long ago left behind stomachers, crinolines, and corsets. Even the slip has fallen out of use since the 90's. No, underneath it all we are down to our panties and bras. Therefore, fewer allowances must be made in the fit. If the bra band creates a little roll here or there, there are fewer pieces of fabric which can mask it. Even the modern "cami", which is highly elasticized and therefore clingy, only accentuates the problem rather than mask it.
Also, it is very easy for a bra to be uncomfortable. If a wire is an inch or so too close to the arm, you could have pinching. Or, sometimes bra manufacturers play with the positioning of the straps so that the garment tips at an odd angle or the cups leave a gap between the skin and fabric. On top of that, there are the subtle differences between brands. Some fit smaller, some fit larger, others fit true to size but you still have to double check. So why is it that they never have my size at stores?
For the past five years, I have bought Maidenform's t-shirt demi bra size 38C. I buy it from the same store each time because I know that they will have what I am looking for. This is probably because the store also sells full-figure bras as well as smaller teen sizes. This wide range as well as constancy in brand selection assures me that they will always have my bra. But sometimes I long for something a little different.
So I go to a store like Gap Body or Aerie, where they have delicate lace items or adorable cotton underthings that make me drool. I paw through the racks, past the As and Bs until I find C. Then I count: 32, 34, 36.... and then it jumps to D. When did a 38 inch ribcage become taboo? Why are there size 32D bras but not a relatively average 38C? They promise sizes up to 40DD online, but why not in the store? Is it clutter? Do they not want "fat bras" to contaminate the image of the slim yet well-endowed teen that is hung on the wall?
This is like stores that only carry sizes small, medium, and large and yet are reluctant to throw a few XLs into the pile. These also tend to be the stores that cut their clothing smaller than other companies, so that a size large is really more like a medium. Sometimes you can make allowances, letting yourself get the large when you really need the extra fabric, telling yourself that you can hid the rolls with a cami. However, you can't do that with a bra. The sizing is more specific than the vague S,M,L,XL guidelines of outer garments. When you wear a size 36, you need the two extra inches that a size 34 does not have. And even then, there is no guarantee that it will fit. Sometimes you need the next size up, but that's not certain.
This goes beyond a matter of selection. I am truly wondering why upper sizes are forced onto company websites when they are the ones who have issues with the fit of clothing.The worst part is, I don't think that my bra size will really ever change. I may lose weight and slowly ease myself down from a large shirt to a medium, however the width of my ribcage isn't likely to change.
Also, it is very easy for a bra to be uncomfortable. If a wire is an inch or so too close to the arm, you could have pinching. Or, sometimes bra manufacturers play with the positioning of the straps so that the garment tips at an odd angle or the cups leave a gap between the skin and fabric. On top of that, there are the subtle differences between brands. Some fit smaller, some fit larger, others fit true to size but you still have to double check. So why is it that they never have my size at stores?
For the past five years, I have bought Maidenform's t-shirt demi bra size 38C. I buy it from the same store each time because I know that they will have what I am looking for. This is probably because the store also sells full-figure bras as well as smaller teen sizes. This wide range as well as constancy in brand selection assures me that they will always have my bra. But sometimes I long for something a little different.
So I go to a store like Gap Body or Aerie, where they have delicate lace items or adorable cotton underthings that make me drool. I paw through the racks, past the As and Bs until I find C. Then I count: 32, 34, 36.... and then it jumps to D. When did a 38 inch ribcage become taboo? Why are there size 32D bras but not a relatively average 38C? They promise sizes up to 40DD online, but why not in the store? Is it clutter? Do they not want "fat bras" to contaminate the image of the slim yet well-endowed teen that is hung on the wall?
This is like stores that only carry sizes small, medium, and large and yet are reluctant to throw a few XLs into the pile. These also tend to be the stores that cut their clothing smaller than other companies, so that a size large is really more like a medium. Sometimes you can make allowances, letting yourself get the large when you really need the extra fabric, telling yourself that you can hid the rolls with a cami. However, you can't do that with a bra. The sizing is more specific than the vague S,M,L,XL guidelines of outer garments. When you wear a size 36, you need the two extra inches that a size 34 does not have. And even then, there is no guarantee that it will fit. Sometimes you need the next size up, but that's not certain.
This goes beyond a matter of selection. I am truly wondering why upper sizes are forced onto company websites when they are the ones who have issues with the fit of clothing.The worst part is, I don't think that my bra size will really ever change. I may lose weight and slowly ease myself down from a large shirt to a medium, however the width of my ribcage isn't likely to change.
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