Ok everyone…lets drop that weight!! That’s right, let’s get rid of it once and for all.

If you know me or what I stand for…you may think that I have had a hit on my head, or a change of heart, or a lapse in all that I write and speak about.

Not true.

I actually mean it.  Lets all lose some weight!  Oh, it is probably not the “weight” that you may think.  I am talking about all of the self-doubt, the degrading thoughts within your head, and all of the other WEIGHT that you pile on yourself when talking about your body and its girth/weight/poundage/pooch/fat…or any other word that you could use to diminish all of the real beauty that you actually do possess.   I have been working with, coaching, counseling and teaching people (not only women either) about body issues and self-loathing a lot lately.    The topic is always so fascinating to me and continues to be.   What I am finding is that many of us pile on the “weight” of carrying around a bad attitude and it is HEAVY.

Self-speak is constantly occurring.   Our job is to re-program, if you will, our negative thoughts about what we look like.   Why not make the choice to drop the bad thinking and replace with thoughts of all that we actually are that is great and all of the wonderful qualities that we do possess.

So I am suggesting that you drop a few unnecessary pounds of criticism. And not just about yourself, of others as well.   Stop looking for the seeming flaws in yourself and point out to yourself all of the beauty of who you are.  And begin to notice the truth about the beauty in others too.

Confidence is the best accessory a person can put on, a wise and loving man once told me.   I loved that.   I still do.   I still remember it like it was yesterday and it was many years ago.     Look lovingly at your reflection rather than with a critical, judgmental eye.   You are PERFECT just the way you are.   Remember that.   So dress it up, sexify it, strut it, move and dance it, adore it…it being you!

With love, from a “weightless” woman.

xoxo Wendy

Oh the beauty of dance. The exhilarating, floating feeling. Moving the body, at times close to another and touching. Bending, feeling…oh the feeling.

Dance excludes no one. Dance expresses and moves our souls. No matter the beat, no matter the body…dance.

Ahhhh…

There. I just wanted to positively express myself for one glorious moment before I begin the barrage. This attitude is usually not my style of speaking or writing for that matter. However, another television show has emerged, which on the surface appeared to be lovely. I believe I must sound off.

Plus-sized bodies, moving to the music. Dressed in fabulous attire. Sexy even. Laughing and having so much fun. Oxygen’s new show, “Dance Your Ass Off”, has begun. At first blush, I was excited. And then I discovered the premise.

Fat bodies. (And I use the term Fat with love, please see my previous article titled: Fat…the F Word) Moving. Great dancing with some amazing dancers. (Insert the sound of the record screeching.) Great…now change. Beautiful…now change. Big people…now change.

This is the message that we, as a society, are sent so often. This is the message that I personally would love to help silence. If even to turn it down a notch or two.

“Dancing With The Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance”, these shows don’t come with an agenda of any sort. Smaller, thinner people are not expected to dance AND change. There is no outward expectation other than to compete and the best dancer wins. Period.

The message currently being sent to society is this: Fat people can dance, but the contest is in the losing of weight.  Not just be GREAT as you are…because apparently, this is not good enough.

I was so excited to see some great costuming on this show.Many pieces come from our beloved Hips and Curves. Gorgeous pieces. Sexy. Finally, an outward representation of how great my plus sisters can look in an eye-popping piece of lingerie. And it is on TV!!! But the reason these dancers are on this show is to show us, the viewing public, that you can be fat as long as the intent is to “fit in”, be acceptable.I am not going to buy into it. Below is my credo:

I honor these dancers for the talents that they are.

I am applauding “Hips and Curves” and any other lingerie, clothing, sexy-as-hell clothing retailers for continuing to bring us quality and fun on a regular basis.

I will not “hate” my thin friends or colleagues, but appreciate ALL body types and sizes.

I will continue to look at people as “humans” not simply “bodies”.

I refuse to think of myself as “less-than” and will keep looking lovingly at myself in the mirror.

I ask you, to join me. Please join me. Talk to me here and tell me what you think.

Thanks Hips and Curves. Not only for the great products, but also for a place for ALL to come and read some great content and speak out and just BE.

With love from a Fat Dancer….xoxo Wendy