Imperfect Model

Before:
A thrill of delicious anticipation raced through my veins as I eagerly submitted my beloved photos through the mail. Lane Bryant was seeking applications and photos to become the next plus size model. Lane Bryant was one of the few stores that not only offered plus size clothing, but also offered acceptable fashions for a young, hip, college student. In preparation, I had carefully chosen my most flattering and feminine ensembles. My sister acted as my photographer, and we chose our front yard as the backdrop for my lighting. I had never considered modeling prior to this. But, the biggest obstacle to my success so far was due to being fat, not ugly. Why couldn’t I be a plus-size model? Weeks later, the silence from Lane Bryant spoke volumes. Maybe, even a plus size model needed to be perfect.

After:

Just a short month ago, another delicious thrill of anticipation raced through my veins as I submitted my photos through email.  First for Women magazine was seeking weight loss success stories for their 2012 New Year’s Eve issue.  Thanks to my friends at Shapefit.com, I was given the opportunity to submit my story for consideration.  I had carefully selected my least flattering “before” photos displaying my highest size.  This time, I was less than confident that I would succeed.  This was a national magazine with over 4 million readers.  Maybe they were looking for someone who had lost more weight than I had?  Or was more perfect in her “after”?  At 98 pounds down, I was no lightweight at weight loss.  Still, I am far from perfect.

Instead of silence, I received a prompt and courteous email that my story was not chosen.  I was sad, but happy for the chance.  One week later, I received another email asking if I still wanted to be in the New Year’s Eve issue.  First wanted to include my story!  Within a couple of days, I had a local photographer, wardrobe stylist, and makeup artist in my living room.  David Ellis, Sarah Cochran and Shannon Darsow proceeded to give me the royal treatment while chatting up my daughter.  While David took what felt like hundreds of photos, Sarah and Shannon told me that I was beautiful and a natural and encouraged me to think of how it felt to lose the weight.  I felt like a glamorous model.  Three hours later, they left.  Had it all been a dream?

Turn to page 35 in First for Women in stores now, and you’ll see a woman in her 30’s smiling confidently at the camera.  I am not the focus of the story, and I am certainly not the biggest loser in the article.  I am not thin or perfect.  But, somewhere in the past decade, I went from an aspiring plus size model to a weight loss success story in a national magazine.  I may not be the new face of Lane Bryant.  But, I can be an imperfect role model for others just like me.

Magazine debut

Going from fat to F.A.T.

Ladies and gents, I am fat.

 Don’t get me wrong- I don’t mean fat as in large and in charge.  And I certainly don’t mean phat as in Pretty, Hot and Tempting.  I mean fat as in capital F.A.T.  Fit & Toned!

 I know what some of you may be thinking.  If she’s so fit and toned, why isn’t she a personal trainer, or a fitness model?  You are absolutely right!  I don’t look amazing in a bikini.  So why should you listen to me about being Fit and Toned?

 One of the best things I love about being an American is we love success stories.  We cherish and crave stories of ordinary people who overcame all odds to achieve success.  I went from being morbidly obese to the average-sized American woman.  My former self would have died to have a body like I do today.

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is all about being F.A.T.  My idea of Fitness has changed over the years.  I was always active.  In elementary school, I ran track, in junior high, I played on the volleyball team, and my family often took day-long biking or hiking trips.  Fitness was being able to physically do what everyone around me could do.  As you can imagine, I didn’t hang out with fitness models.

 Now my idea of Fitness is being able to do whatever I want to do.  As the weight melted off, I realized that I could do so much more.  I’m a huge fitness class buff.  I’ve taken everything from boot camp to Tabata to hooping.  My absolute favorite is dance!  Turn on some music and I’ll be dancing.

 Toning is the next element of being F.A.T.  I never used to pay attention to building muscle.  It wasn’t until I started using a pair of free weights I had lying around my house that I found my true strength.  I love to feel my muscles work when I lift, and the soreness afterwards.  I know I got a good workout when I’m sore.  Strength comes in many forms.  When you can look in a mirror and see your muscles moving, it’s easier to find other forms of strength.  I may have always been a strong, confident woman, but now everyone can see that!

 So, there you have my story of being F.A.T.  Jean Claude Van Damme once claimed that he could crack a walnut with his butt.  Sorry, folks, I’m no magician.  I may not be a fitness model, but I went from being fat to F.A.T.  Fit and Toned!