The other day when I posted about a certain deodorant ad campaign many mentioned what they thought upon viewing the image. Some of us guessed it’s implications. I am still considering it all, honestly, as I do feel those images are loaded. We’ve discussed at length what we don’t like to see in advertising. We have all lamented about what we hate to see and read and hear, but that got me thinking that we should discuss what we would  like to see. So many products are marketed to us or our gender or our age group, etc. I so rarely see anything I like let alone would tolerate. So what would you like to see…

In a deodorant ad for men? For women?
Shaving or hair removal products?
Yogurt?
Weight loss ads?

I will tell you one thing, that new weight watchers commercial with Jennifer Hudson singing with her old fat self? It makes me a special kind of angry. The kind where I get all rage face-y and can’t articulate my exact thoughts. UGH! WHY?! But then I thought, well, what would I like to see?
I guess I’d like to see more information, more personal stories, more positive representations in general. I’d like to see people. Real people and not just singers and actors. I’d like a sense of realness and reality and not the kind that has sex tapes.

I’d like to see ads for senior citizens that don’t include a dog or a grandchild or that red pulsating light flashing over joints and lower backs to depict pain.

I’d like to see products marketed for their fine features and durability or sustainability. I’d like to see every car commercial from this day forward have the MPG rating in large print, at the top of the screen! I’d like to never see a prescription ad campaign ever again!

So…what would you like to see?

And here it is, the “big day” is upon us this weekend and we can choose to dread it or just go into it with an open mind and some hope. I am not celebrating the holiday for many reasons, so if you need support, do let me know! If it’s later in the evening I won’t promise to be sober, but I can at least provide endless humor in that state! Ha-ha! I hope that you find yourself surrounded by love and gratitude and affection and if you’re not, do know that I think you deserve to be!

If you’d like some inspiration or something to ponder, consider the “steps” posts aka my “Stop Giving A Damn” series, which I am now working on turning into a book. They have helped me and others and I think it’s an important thing for me to work on at the moment.

Bit of good news: I was offered a j-o-b! It’s part-time, but I’ll have 3 day weekends, which is fabulous! I start in January. Still have to nail down the details, but if ever there was something I would have asked “Santa” for it would have been this. Thank you for the encouragement and support. Y’all inspire me to no end!

I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend, regardless of your plans. Just be YOU and don’t apologize for a damned thing!

I am rooting for you! Why? Because you’re awesome; never forget it! <3

I suppose Old Spice is attempting to target all guys, but their latest print ad left me feeling angry and defensive. I was flipping through a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, yes I know it’s not a very body accepting magazine but I like to keep up on all things entertaining…anyway, I happened upon this image:

*HeadDesk*

It appears to be a fat guy in winter wear, only they chose to insinuate that by using their products, not only would said fat be…sectioned off/away? I dunno…but the tag line is, “Somewhere in there There’s A Man In There, Old Spice, Smell Better Than Yourself” In his hand appears to be a bowl of cereal with holes in it as well as M-80’s or cherry bombs or something. Across his chest is an ammo belt with a corn dog, an old cell phone, pepper spray canister and two actual ammunition shells. Not to mention the fake-ass snake around his neck.

This whole thing smacks of hate to me. Fat hate. Winter wear hate? I don’t know I just hate it! The way the “inner man” or whatever the fuck is magically thinner/more muscular as though you cannot be a “man” unless you are of this build is appalling! But it’s not even their first go at this:

*HeadDeskInfinity*

Once again, choosing a thinner and seemingly more, uhh, eccentric? “inner man.” Ugh! This one seems anti-intelligence to me which is ridiculous if the point is to find a mate. Believe me fellas, anyone would rather you are intelligent than smelling like chemical perfumery! “Smell Better Than Yourself” is certainly relative. I mean, have you smelled this shit? Blegh! Why do all of these companies think anyone wants to smell this this? Marketing is, well, dumb!

I just hate that they chose this imagery. I hate that they are picking on fat guys. I hate that they feel the need to feminize the “outer man.” Once again! I won’t even start on the whole being called a woman is a negative thing. Just once I’d like to see a guy stand up and take that and say, “You know what? Thank you! My mom/sister/aunt/granny is the strongest and most incredible person alive. Call me a woman as much as you like, fuck wad!” Even if that ever did happen, it wouldn’t be on television!

What are your thoughts on this? Did these images make you angry? Upset? Eye rolls? Let’s discuss!

“I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.”  ~Booker T. Washington

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I saw the above quote on Tumblr.com yesterday and it got me thinking very specifically about what “this time of year” brings out in people. Suddenly simply eating a regular meal becomes a teachable moment weather you like it or not. Holiday meals are now a spectator sport. Everyone must tell you or anyone within earshot how they simply “can’t indulge or I’ll be on the treadmill for the rest of my life!” And everyone has something to say about somebody else. Ugh!

First, fuck gossiping about people. Period. Second, since when what you or I do with our respective bodies is it anyone else’s business or concern?! End it immediately. Diet talk? BORING! Change the subject! Depending on the situation, be blatant about it! “So, how about those Lakers?!” When everyone knows I don’t care about sports…you get my drift?

You are under no obligation or social contract to listen to or deal with this stuff. You have every right in the world to say, “Excuse me but your topic of conversation is ____.” That blank? Boring, offensive, making me uncomfortable, wrong, over-sharing…whatever it is you are thinking or feeling. You’re thoughts and emotions are valid! Don’t let anyone try to insist otherwise. Because sadly, they probably will.

If you haven’t managed to avoid the holiday advertising you may want to brace yourself for the coming onslaught of resolution ads. I do think that those are the worst ones of all! Those and the “bikini body” bullshit ones. When someone asks what your resolution is, why not tell them it’s no longer dealing with nosy assholes? Ha-ha! Instead of resolutions, why not offer positive revolutions?! Celebrate all things YOU! Why the fuck not?! I mean, even when times are tough, and I know that they are, you gotta simplify and just do You!

But let’s all agree to not let these fuckers get to us. We won’t sink to their body judging levels. We will not feel shame or guilt for simply eating a damn meal! Food is not our enemy, it can just stay theirs. We will not engage in body talk of any kind, even what would be deemed “positive.” Do not comment or even acknowledge weather or not someone has lost weight. Don’t let the bastards get you down, no matter what. They will try and they will test you, but you are strong and amazing and you can do whatever you want! Hating someone allows them to get the better of you. Why waste energy on such a person? By remaining calm and cool and shrugging off their hate, ignorance and cowardice will only serve to show that you are the better/more positive person.

If you need support, we are all here for you. I am here for you. You matter. You are worthy. You are loved. You are a multifaceted individual. You know what is best for you. Trust yourself and your body. Listen to your heart and don’t second guess your gut/intuition. Stay safe. Stay true to you. Don’t take crap from anyone. Love yourself just as you are right NOW.

I’ll leave you with my fave quote of all time:

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Theresa

Attain at least 1 Star Rank for all Mirror

Since many parts of the world are getting colder right now I thought why not try something different than the old Tank Top Tuesday posts and go in the opposite direction: Winter Wear! I also hope to do a coat shopping guide/options post soon.  Please see below for information on how you can submit your own pics and info for future posts. Thanks.

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This week’s Fats in Winter Wear submission comes from Heather!

This is from last christmas! Beautiful sweater from Torrid and the necklace was made by me 🙂 sterling silver cypress leaf with quartz chips and swarovski crystals.  Finding good, attractive, winter clothing for fatties is not an easy task! We’re often stuck with sweaters with pictures of kittens- which is fine if you really love kittens, but it’s just not my style. I hate high necks, so I really love the low neckline and the gathered fabric and this has become my number one favorite winter sweater.