I feel like everyone is writing and talking about their weight and others perceptions lately. Honestly, I never have really paid much attention to them. I currently wear the same size jeans I wore in 2002, size 27. I have always been addicted to working out, and always just had my own style.
Well that has changed since moving to Australia. Josh and I have commented on more than one occasion that we feel like the Jolly Green Giant in this country. We feel like the out of shape person looking at all these people who could be swimsuit models.
I was told at the Dr. office the other day, "With your size, we really need to up your medicine."
The way of life is different here, I will give them that. Eating healthy is cheaper than eating processed. Which is totally backwards than eating in the states.
Walking is also very common, where in the states we will just hop in our car and not think anything about it, just going a block down the road. I am just as guilty of this, I drove my car a block to high school every day, a block....really.
Another thing that has really made me self conscious in Australia is everyone as a whole dresses up more. You never see anyone in a t-shirt and jeans. One day I had to run to the store, I had someone say, "So where in America are you from?" I hadn't even open my mouth yet.
I responded with, " How did you know I was American?"
"Your clothes, we don't dress that way." This made me think I should dress up more, and try to be Australian.
I am not saying this to complain about Australia, I truly love it here. I am giving you background as to why I picked up this book.
At an early age we are taught to really care about people's perception. I am guilty of this also, how many times do we tell a little girl, "You look so pretty. I love your dress. You look beautiful in that bow." We need to change this to help kids learn to look inside for their beauty.
Instead we (me included) need to start looking for things from the inside. "Oh, you are so sweet for picking up my pen for me." "Oh, that was such a good choice to choose the healthy snack." (I know those compliments are lame, but I am trying).
This book really changed how I think about things. I wanted to share it with you. Clothes in Australia are sized different. In the states I would wear a size 4 here I would wear a size 6 or size 8.
I have not tried shopping yet, because I do not want to jump sizes. I am also trying to go as long as possible without buying clothes, after selling so much in the States. This book talks about how they get sizes. "Fit is cultural, size is industrial." That is something to remember. They just want to sell clothes.
When we go shopping we are often discouraged by the people working at the counter, this book talks about how they are just there to sell clothes, you would think that they are going to be honest with what really looks good, but at the end of the day, they just want you to walk out with the clothes in your possession. Make a rule, never ask a person at the counter, "Does this look good?"
I thought that it was interesting in this book, it talks about fashion writers who go to all of these shows to give reviews. They can not give their honest opinion at all. It told story after story about fashion writers who had given a bad review and "punished" for giving bad publicity. They were not invited back to an event for that company, or made to sit in the back row. Do not read this stuff. Again, they are there to make money, not to make you feel good.
I bought something off amazon before I left the states. I left an honest review of the product on amazon. Within hours of leaving a not so positive review, I had two emails from the seller offering me $5.00 to change my review. If they will do this just over an amazon review think about what they will do for a bad magazine review.
Get clothes because it fits you well, you feel good in it, and because you want the clothes, don't look at the size or the reviews.
"Fashion does not love your body. It does not care about the jeans that cut into your soft flesh, you skirts that ride up, your trouser legs that are too short or long, your shoes that pinch and burn, shirts that gape and straps that slip off. The closest fashion comes to caring about clothing is like when a model falls over on the runway, or suffers a wardrobe malfunction. (p.49)"
One company in Australia actually did research a couple of years ago. They trashed what they were doing with fashion. They gave a survey and measured 5,000 women and 5,000 men to find out what they wanted, and their fits to help create their products. Their profits jumped 84% the next year.
We need to start looking inside and asking, "what makes us feel good?" "What do we feel fits us?"
After finishing this book all I could think about was a letter Cali Watts gave me when we were in college. I was going through some stuff, and she handed it to me after cheerleading practice one day. I have kept it in my Bible ever since.
I made her..she is different.
I fashioned her with great joy.
the day I created her.
I love to hear her laugh.
And the silly things she says and does.
She brings Me great pleasures.
This is how I made her.
in her that would make her beautiful.
would draw friends to her.
I made her in such a way.
she would like to be.
to learn and depend on Me.
and forget Me, her Creator.
I have seen her broken heart.
And the tears she's cried alone.
I have cried with her.
And had a broken heart, too.
Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone.
would not hold My Hand.
Only to watch her return to My arms.
An now she is Mine again.
I made her, and then I bought her.
I have to reshape and remind her.
This high goal I have set for her.
Now, I put this poem in here not to say do not worry about your body. Your body is a temple, being healthy is one thing.
I put this in here to say, " Always be true to you, no matter the circumstance; when you choose clothes, your attitude, how you carry yourself, and do not let others views mess with your style.
Who cares the size, the fit, the look, as long as you personally look and feel beautiful.
BE YOU! There are a lot of people in the world trying to be someone else. No one can be you as perfect as you are you.
I needed this today - thanks!
I hope you are loving your adventure!
Terri, yes we are loving it here. It is a great place to explore. Glad you enjoyed the post.