tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post7779519416263600006..comments2023-12-23T20:39:16.612+01:00Comments on A Femme d'Un Certain Age: Ronde et Ronde We GoTish Jetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-12134973532753519452012-08-01T02:14:51.780+02:002012-08-01T02:14:51.780+02:00I'm also going to have to caution against assu...I'm also going to have to caution against assuming that thin = healthy and heavier = sick/unhealthy. I have been very thin (size 4) and much heavier (up to size 20). I am not healthy at size 20, but then I was also smoking a pack a day. But at size 4, I was also very unhealthy, was living on cigarettes and coffee and nothing else.<br /><br />I am now much, much healthier in my 40s than I was in my 20s. I also am a size 14. Sometimes a 12 if I'm in a thin phase, sometimes close to 16 depending on where I am in my cycle. And I am super healthy. I completed a half marathon this year. I do yoga, lift weights, swim, and run. I'm muscled enough that generally at 150# I am a size 8, and at a size 14 I am around 177#, and I'm 5'7". My bp is textbook perfect, sometimes even a bit under but not dangerously so, my cholesterol is fantastic, I take no medications regularly other than vitamins, and have NO serious medical conditions even despite some foolishness in my 20s (see smoking, above). <br /><br />Could I try to be a size 6 again? Sure. But I know what it takes - it means I have to worry about every single thing I put in my mouth, and I have to learn to like being hungry. Not just not-full, not just hungry before meals, but hungry ALL OF THE TIME. When I am trying to get very thin I have to learn to enjoy the little nagging tug in my stomach, and drink water to quiet it, or it never goes away. I also have to only do things like "skinny cow" ice cream bars for dessert, and candy and fried foods and pastry is straight out.<br /><br />Or, I could be a size 14, not be obsessed, be able to run miles and miles and get a medal at the end of it, have great blood pressure, eat what I want within reason, and be generally in pretty great health.<br /><br />My point isn't that size 14 is naturally healthy. I'm sure there are folks who are sick at size 14 and they are not at a good weight for them. But there are people who are size 6 or 8 who are also unhealthy.<br /><br />I know that extreme obesity is correlated with health problems, but please check out the "health at every size" movement - there is a good deal of research that shows that not everyone is meant to be "thin" and that not everyone who is other than thin is sickly - even people who are far larger than I am.Normahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959315007945527026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-81424888455640281932010-04-03T12:47:10.177+02:002010-04-03T12:47:10.177+02:00A little late for me to be jumping in, Tish, but t...A little late for me to be jumping in, Tish, but today's Times (that's The Times in the UK) devotes several pages of its Weekend section to the subject and Mlle Zwicky's photos fill the front page. Some interesting statistics eg 42 per cent of French women are now classed as overweight or obese (similar to 1970s figures in the USA and we know what has been happening since then . . .) and France is the dreaded McDonald's most profitable customer after the US. Oh -and Italian women are thinner than French women!!<br /><br />From personal observation (so not the least bit scientific), in Paris - as Janine Giovanni says in the same edition of the Times -skinny remains de rigueur (almost a religion)- but whenever I've stayed in rural France, I've noticed that many women are much like their counterparts here in rural England: plumpish and uninterested in fashion. (Novelist Helena Frith Powell, writing in the same issue, has found much the same.)<br /><br />Links to articles here:<br />http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article7085016.ece<br />and here:<br />http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article7085678.ece60 going on 16http://60goingon16.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-61680339094690445762010-04-03T10:00:10.963+02:002010-04-03T10:00:10.963+02:00Hm. Whether or not these models are healthy, they...Hm. Whether or not these models are healthy, they do represent a significant and growing segment of the population (yes, even the french population). I am delighted to see them in a fashion magazine because every woman should have the right to see her "type" looking wonderful in Elle, even if knows she might be healthier were she to lose/gain weight; stop smoking; floss her teeth more often; drink less coffee; wear sun block daily; start a weight-lifting regimen; take vitamin D supplements; stretch 15 minute each evening; sleep 8 hours every night or practice stress-relieving meditation in the morning. After all: who am I to judge whether a woman is "sufficiently" healthy?s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04741062569246094417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-91566761747345175462010-04-01T00:50:01.309+02:002010-04-01T00:50:01.309+02:00Honestly, how can we assess the health of a model ...Honestly, how can we assess the health of a model jus>\t by looking at her? Not every skinny model has anorexia or bulimia or is even underweight. Not every "fat" woman is unhealthy.<br /><br />I have diabetes and high cholesterol and my weight is perfectly normal...I'm a size 8. Unless that's considered fat. I also lost in the gene pool with cholesterol, only 20% of which is due to diet and exercise. Diabetes in an insulin resistance problem.<br /><br />Fat is the final frontier in discrimination. We could all insult fat people and hide, as Deja Pseu said, under concern for their health.<br /><br />What I think is at play here is a constant competition between women. Are our egos still so fragile that we look at someone different and feel free to let loose? Do I have the right to worry about the state of your skin if you're a regular tanner by saying that tanning causes skin cancer, though what I really mean is that you look terrible because you have deep wrinkles?<br /><br />If a regular model had an artificial limb, none of this nastiness would be written or spoken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-71024656970909988462010-03-31T23:14:10.589+02:002010-03-31T23:14:10.589+02:00Tish, I'm posting tomorrow (April 1) on this a...Tish, I'm posting tomorrow (April 1) on this as have more to say and don't want to write a book on your Comments page. You have helped me consolidate my thinking, thank you so much.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-56677932459806197292010-03-31T14:32:33.593+02:002010-03-31T14:32:33.593+02:00The criteria of what is "too heavy" bubb...The criteria of what is "too heavy" bubbles beneath the surface here. Is it the pinchable little roll even the thinnest woman has by 50? Is it the round tummy shown in the photo, or is it the leap into the plus sizes? What rankles me is how women that I know judge even the slightest amount of fleshiness as "I'm fat". We've become so thin-programmed.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-21205050235795583522010-03-31T13:49:47.483+02:002010-03-31T13:49:47.483+02:00What's with the outrage about the Lanvin gown ...What's with the outrage about the Lanvin gown that you "cannot believe exists in her size". Would that be the first time a garment has been torn, pinned, modified for the cameras? Or is modification only acceptable in a "thin" fashion spread?<br /><br />The pendulum has swung too far, and needs a correction. 15 years ago when I weighed 48kg it was almost impossible to find clothes that fit me. Now at a whopping 54kg, I can't find clothes to suit me! <br /><br />By the way - I have known many, many older, "fat" and HEALTHY women in my life time. They consumed very little processed food, followed mediteranean diets, and weren't frightened by cake or carbs. They stayed active and live long and healthy lives. Keep reading that research, the medical profession will figure this one out any day now ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-80074048330327716352010-03-31T06:28:28.962+02:002010-03-31T06:28:28.962+02:00Tish,
Wow! Is this ratings week for blog comments?...Tish,<br />Wow! Is this ratings week for blog comments? You have certainly topped the charts this week with responses. :) Interesting topic!<br /><br />I have seen no sign of a response from James - he is most likely staying away from this issue, but it would be interesting to hear his thoughts.<br /><br />I can speak from both sides of the fence. As an adult, I've been thin (size 10) and I've been overweight (size 18). I prefer how I look and feel(physically and mentally)when I'm thin. Maybe I've been programmed or brainwashed to think thin looks best, because when I see an overweight person, no matter how stylish or attractive, I always think how much better the person would look if they lost a few pounds....myself included.A Refocused Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00573863239128329322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-69365373018180881442010-03-31T03:26:03.679+02:002010-03-31T03:26:03.679+02:00I really agree with Jacqueline on this topic, I th...I really agree with Jacqueline on this topic, I think people are going to the extreme with "oh my god we have GOT to use giant girls", big girls can be beautiful too but there is a limit.Pattyhttp://www.ultimatefitnessgear.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-72695254662905386242010-03-31T03:10:34.481+02:002010-03-31T03:10:34.481+02:00Tish, thanks so much for taking on this topic. It...Tish, thanks so much for taking on this topic. It's fascinating to read the range of comments and reactions to the photos. Fabulous posts!Annecychichttp://my-french-corner.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-41390251901392961902010-03-31T02:00:36.817+02:002010-03-31T02:00:36.817+02:00Is is safe to step in here?? My goodness Tish you...Is is safe to step in here?? My goodness Tish you have a hit a nerve with this series. Okay here's my two cents - Je suis ronde!<br /><br />Personally I love the French word ronde, so much better than saying fat. My lovely Mother was quite ronde all her life. Do you want a big surprise? She enjoyed perfect health; perfect heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar (even up to the day she passed away). The doctors were mute! Unusual? Yes!<br /><br />Yes I do need to lose weight, and now that I'm getting older, I need to do it now rather then later. Everyone here has made excellent points, but the most crucial lesson is to not put too much emphasis on looks alone.<br /> <br />Why do so many slender women want to add a bit of roundness via implants, etc.? We have to learn that what someone looks like on the outside is not necessarily who they are on the INSIDE. Looks are fleeting and certainly don't make the person(example:Hollywood...) <br /><br />We must first be happy with who we are INSIDE - no matter what size.<br /><br />The icing on the cake for me (not the best thing to say just now) is my other half loves me just as I am, as I do him. Fat, thin, one leg, two legs, smooth or scarred...you get my point. <br /><br />In the meantime, we have to wake up each day and strive to do all we can to help ourselves and those we love become and feel healthy and happy. <br /><br />That was more like 20 cents,<br />Mimi<br /><br />P.S. I promise to cut down on the macs - I'm being serious - and I think Tara looks beautiful.BonjourRomancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10127856263588277808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-76804781714968695832010-03-31T01:33:27.630+02:002010-03-31T01:33:27.630+02:00Just saying..these obese models are beautiful, yes...Just saying..these obese models are beautiful, yes. But they are also young, with taught muscles, and have excellent (albiet large) body proportions of bust, waist, hips..<br /><br />Proportion is extremely important in perceiving beauty. Period.<br /><br />I struggle now with weight/shape. I never did when I was younger. Now I have noticed that going vegetarian is not only easy, but healthier and the weight comes off effortlessly..seriously!<br /><br />I wonder how it would be to be vegetarian in France?<br /><br />Great, provocative post, missy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-9322506666074664312010-03-31T00:24:17.615+02:002010-03-31T00:24:17.615+02:00For some reason not all of the photographs are sho...For some reason not all of the photographs are showing when I go into the post but I did get the first two where I think Tara does look good - wonderful pieces... Also the Peacock Chair one... with this shot I would say that at her young age her flesh is firm and I don't find the photogarph unattractive at all - as a previous commenter said think it will be a different story when age creeps up and flesh creeps downwards !! Fantastic post and I loved the post yesterday too, Tish... xSemi Expathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12839322243900070800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-55899555642952164712010-03-30T23:36:38.028+02:002010-03-30T23:36:38.028+02:00I too am tired to seeing skeletons on the runways....I too am tired to seeing skeletons on the runways. They look anorexic. I would not have the courage to pose as these women do if I were that size, but good for them. Skinny was drilled into me all of my life. I still oddly enough think of myself as skinny, although with a little age on me, I'm sadly not anymore. C'est la vie.<br />SamSam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358601435867848753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-38710326711239014732010-03-30T23:21:41.496+02:002010-03-30T23:21:41.496+02:00This woman is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for ...This woman is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the photos.The Single Nesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06156235539745020966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-30359464081720273882010-03-30T23:06:41.732+02:002010-03-30T23:06:41.732+02:00i love "big beauty" blog , is the young ...i love "big beauty" blog , is the young woman size 52 . I regulary visit her blog because of her sense of fashion not because she's overweight ... The idea of showing "normal" size women should be interesting really ... <br />And yesterday , by my comment about my "normal weight" i hope i didn't upset anyone like "look i'm size 36 héhé" ! I just wanted to say this size is quite normal in France without being in a weight- control way ( and i'm talking as a 30 and some woman) , i know my body will change with years ...Morganehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01507719194861691615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-85897062959773906052010-03-30T23:03:00.388+02:002010-03-30T23:03:00.388+02:00Forgot: Letitia GREAT post!!!Forgot: Letitia GREAT post!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05677486969595235084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-60153533596737718162010-03-30T23:02:39.267+02:002010-03-30T23:02:39.267+02:00I COMPLETELY agree with Jacqueline on this issue. ...I COMPLETELY agree with Jacqueline on this issue. Is is not strange that we see absolute skeletons on the runway and in the magazines and that Elle magazine wants to somehow balance the issue with, honestly, obese models? what of women who are ronde but not huge? sexy and pulpeuses, but who exercise, eat as well as they can, and indulge in a great dessert or a raclette, something delicious that they love to savor occasionally? do we have to emulate one extreme or the other? can we be fit and a little ronde and still "look good" in "normal" clothes? what is so wrong with a few curves, and what is so great(according to one issue of Elle) about being huge? (and they really are...this time) and being stick thin (and they really are... usually) Let's make, show, sell and publicize clothes for the average woman once in a while, and let's not create 21st century standards of beauty by idolizing skin and bones (for the benefit of designers)or making Rubens a measure of beauty (he was probably just that in HIS time) now that we know how dangerous both extremes are. End of monologue from an average ronde.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05677486969595235084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-81319724932149871432010-03-30T22:57:05.691+02:002010-03-30T22:57:05.691+02:00Tish...I am going to use your own words here...
U...Tish...I am going to use your own words here...<br /><br />UNE IDÉE<br /><br /> Believe It Or Not<br />A recent poll entitled: "Les Européennes et l'Amour" conducted by Harris Interactive/Meetic reported the following findings in response to the question, "describe "la femme idéale":<br /><br />1.) 57 percent want a sense of humor. (I ask you, how else can a woman live with a man unless she has a sense of humor?)<br /><br />2.) 41 percent want her to be "cultivated". (I'll bet.)<br /><br />3.) 35 percent want her to be "tender". (OK)<br /><br />4.) 25 percent want her to be "elegant". (We're in Europe after all.)<br /><br />5.) 27 percent want her to be "if possible" (aaaah), sexuellement libérée. (I'll bet.)<br /><br />AND, number 6: A measly eight percent said they would like their ideal woman to be thin. (What's thin?)<br /><br />:)Jeanne Henriqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07986759909478180763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-66115806782851333702010-03-30T22:45:15.086+02:002010-03-30T22:45:15.086+02:00Jacqueline - allow me to clarify. I don't arg...Jacqueline - allow me to clarify. I don't argue with the idea that excess weight is correlated with certain health concerns. I'm just saying that there seems to consistently be a general reaction to articles or pictures of "plus" size models (who are probably IRL very average in size; remember that the camera adds weight too) that jumps right to OMG UNHEALTHY! At what weight does health become a concern? That varies from person to person depending on genetics and lifestyle. For all we know, this model eats a moderate healthy diet and works out three hours a day, and has a blood pressure reading you or I would envy. Maybe not. The thing is, we don't know. Not everyone who is larger than a size 8 has health problems because of their weight, overeats, or is a compulsive eater. Maybe our definitions of "very" overweight diverge; to me this women doesn't meet that definition. <br /><br />And as mentioned before, we don't see this kind of reaction every time someone posts a picture of a model smoking a cigarette (or, as Duchesse mentions, the extreme measures some women employ to maintain a thin body).Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-70663551786158902452010-03-30T22:43:11.654+02:002010-03-30T22:43:11.654+02:00I take your point about these models looking and f...I take your point about these models looking and feeling wonderful during an Elle photo shoot. But, what about in real everyday life? I just came in from running with Edward in the park. It is a beautiful Spring day here and Edward insisted on running really fast. I can't imagine that would have been too much fun if I had that much extra weight to carry along with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm no supermodel, but again... with me it's health, as well as beauty.Pamela Terry and Edwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746603636884819522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-29590225827992214072010-03-30T22:16:28.043+02:002010-03-30T22:16:28.043+02:00Food and weight are such complex issues...it is of...Food and weight are such complex issues...it is often more about emotional problems than saying hey why don't you just lose some weight...Its like telling an alcoholic to stop drinking...Weight issues and overeating or not eating at all are rooted deeply... I have lost the same 10-20lbs about 50 times since I was 16 years old...If it was so easy Weight Watchers etc. would be out of business. Look at Oprah..all her money, personal trainers, private chefs can't keep the weight off her...because the problem runs deep. The truth in all this is that clothes look better, hang better on thin, tall models...They want to sell clothes...they want to sell magazines...I on the other hand just want to feel comfortable and attractive at any weight...Beatnhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825208509765183528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-73936181801190864842010-03-30T22:13:44.145+02:002010-03-30T22:13:44.145+02:00Whoa, whoa, whoa.
If you are VERY overweight you a...Whoa, whoa, whoa.<br />If you are VERY overweight you are more likely to have health issues. FACT. I am not saying that every single overweight person is going to suffer, but it is highly likely. There is extra weight and pressure on the joints, There is fat around the organs. An overweight person is more suseptible to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. There is an increased risk of cancer of the colon, oesophagus, uterine and postmenopausal breast cancer and fatty liver disease. There is more chance of having sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. Is Deja Pseu saying that the medical profession have got it wrong ? Obviously anyone who is seriously underweight will also have health issues and, that IS addressed a lot.<br />I would like it noted that I'm in no way having a go at anyone who is overweight. I am not offended by how people look. I am purely discussing the health side of it. I'm just having a healthy discussion about it.<br />Chatelaine, The Garden Fairy has really summed it up in a truthful and open way. She is admitting that she has put on a little weight and isn't 100% happy, but is doing something about it and, in the meantime, is dressing beautifully. The model in your photographs looks great but, is she going to have health issues because of it ? XXXXJacqueline @ HOMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06154045482594773377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-32767319338892603882010-03-30T21:00:57.751+02:002010-03-30T21:00:57.751+02:00Tara in the peacock chair is beautiful.
There are...Tara in the peacock chair is beautiful.<br /><br />There are a range of beautiful body shapes and sizes. I do with there were a few mid-sized women in this issue, but it surely beats the walking skeletons in most magazines.FIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525085661198210325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-73907196819967504752010-03-30T20:16:49.028+02:002010-03-30T20:16:49.028+02:00"Glamor, at every age and every size..."..."Glamor, at every age and every size..." - isn't that what we all want, really? At least a touch of it, the <i>feeling</i> we have? Doesn't every woman deserve that?<br /><br />I went searching for the French mag of mention, here in the US, <i>ce matin</i>. I came home with an indulgence: <i>Maison Française</i>, but <i>hélas</i>, could not find this periodical.<br /><br />And personally, I think we could ALL do with seeing nudes of different sizes and shapes. It would open our eyes to beauty that encompasses a more diverse spectrum. And perhaps the men who prefer a woman who is <i>ronde</i> or <i>pulpeuse</i> would come out of the closet as well. And they are many, but often afraid to admit it.<br /><br /><i>Dommage</i>, for everyone involved.BigLittleWolfhttp://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2010/03/30/10-positive-pearls-of-positivity-for-a-tenuous-tuesday/noreply@blogger.com