Anyway, the first thing I had to do was look at the mirror. Easy enough. You'd think right?! How many of you honestly if you're plus size, honestly, take a look? In a full length mirror? Bare? Yeah, I might do once my underwear is on but I avoid it normally. A part of me has never wanted to see myself in that way. I wouldn't admit that to anyone but it was true. Could you recognise your own body in a line up if there were no faces? I'd like to think I would because I should know my own body right? I probably would but I need to really 'recognise' my body, warts and all!
Wow! So okay, I don't own a full length mirror. I always said it was a space issue and it might be for you too but I recommend you get one people. I will but I looked with my small mirror anyway. Okay so turn away now if you don't want to know..... there were a few more folds than I remembered and some weird chicken extra thigh looking things at the top of my thighs. My 'melons' were hanging a bit lower than I thought, my skin was feeling thinner and there were some stretch marks in a few new places. I felt great!!! This was me. It wasn't perfect. It might be hideous to some. But it was me. Yes, of course I want to lose weight. I'll always try in some way but I was happy with who I was right now too. My body isn't for someone else to love but for me to love. If someone else does too what a blessing. I felt like know I'd been introduced to my body now and all the awkwardness of first introductions had disappeared. Then I started thinking about the way I'd been taking care of my body. First of all what goes in is important. That's health 101. We won't go into it here on this particular blog or it will turn into a little novella lol. But this is about how I take care of it on the outside.
Naturally, I realised early on when I started to gain weight that I needed to take care of my body in a different way to when I'd been slimmer. As I got bigger my bathing habits changed. I used to love lying in the bath to wash and still do a few times a month but for a big girl like me the shower is my friend. In the summer months I would shower twice because I felt I needed it! Easier to get in and out. Easier to wash an reach all areas of your body. Showers are fab. I was always armed with deodorant and perfumes etc. Keep myself fresh. God forbid people should say that big girl smells. Because I once did smell someone myself on a bus and overheard someone say that fat man smells. It stuck. But as I have been doing the research I have come to learn that sometimes you could take ten showers and it won't help. I began to wonder why? Why people say fat people smell. (Skinny people do too by the way) but why us in particular? It was then I started learning about the science of bigger bodies.
We have folds and creases that hide sweat. Sweat doesn't smell per se but when mixed with a little bacteria which most bodies carry it can produce a musky or even fishy odour depending on how long it sits in that area. Peeeuw! I know!!! But you and I both know it happens. Common places for us who are larger than plump the danger areas could be your neck, underarms, under your 'melons', folds in your waist or under your tum, in your 'private garden' and between your toes. Sounds like a lot but these are the areas to check everyday when you have a shower. It's just my personal opinion but us big people should shower, bathe and wash every day. In Africa it was unheard of never to wash daily. It was something you just did. Because the heat made you smell strongly so it was necessary to always wash. When I came to Europe I discovered some people thought it was optional? No judgement here but I found it bizarre. Cultural differences and all that I guess but I like to shower twice a day when I can especially in heat wave conditions. It isn't always possible and realistic I'm well aware so please don't take this as a have to (I'm probably a little OCD about it because of what I witnessed on the bus so ignore me) and I haven't managed to shower twice a day these last few weeks as I write but I do shower everyday. Okay before I divulge too much info, now when you get out of the shower you need to dry yourself well. Remember those folds? Get in there and dry well. Use a really good absorbing towel and in an article I read by a Dr Bailey she recommends following up blowing drying yourself (on coll of course) in those folds and areas! I know?! Right?! But don't scoff if it keeps you dry. Dr Bailey talks about a condition called intertrigo. Never heard of it before but guess what? You might have it. I think I do by what she describes. Under my 'melons' It gets too warm and moist under there because they never see the light of day. I have like a slight rash looking but it's not a rash in the real sense - it doesn't itch or anything - darkish area. She recommends using anti-yeast (or anti-fungal) hair and skin products to help the body maintain the right ph balance and avoid some of the skin problems we larger people tend to get but ignore. Anti-yeast or fungal shampoo, hair conditioners, body lotions and soaps etc. If a anti-yeast toothpaste and mouthwash exists then use this too!!! Using the right deodorant is also important. If you are a larger person who is experiencing an underarm issue then clinical strength antiperspirants are recommended to help combat the issue. Some hate the idea of smelling like a chemical lab as sometimes these products can make you smell like them but you could use them and use perfume oils in your other zones eg behind you ears, wrists etc. Or there are natural products that can assist. I'm doing the research on this asa I go along so will update later. She also suggests using an absorbing powder in your folds to keep them dry called Zeasorb AF. This she says will be anti-yeast forming and will keep you fresh and dry. Dr Bailey recommends avoiding cornstarch or starchy based talc powders as these encourage yeast type conditions.
This isn't a seasonal issue either but all year round and it might surprise you to learn that winter can be one of the worst. We're covering up in snythetic clothing and making worse those sweaty areas! It's a nightmare! We can't win. But here are some tips. Even in the winter we should try to wear cotton or linen type fabric that breathes. How do I keep warm?!!! I hear you cry. Alas, never fear dear friend. Cotton knit jumpers made with cotton knit yarns can look and feel just like your favourite snuggle knit! Truly! The beauty of modern technology eh? But the point is your skin can breathe through it because it's a material that breathes too. Cotton vests (men and women) , cotton bras and bra moisture manager liners, cotton underwear (men and women) and for women cotton or linen underwear liners, cotton socks (men and women), cotton tights or stockings etc. Thongs are lovely things but for us bigger women they are moisture 'encouragers' apparently. Maybe that one time when you have your whole other outfit on for that 'special' occasion (you know what I mean) is fine but Bridget Jones had it right I'm afraid. Cotton full or full high waisted briefs are better for your 'private garden' environment. But you can always customise your Bridget J type panties. Customising is the big person's weapon. Make it bland for me? I'll bling it up!!! Lol. Anyway I actually prefer cotton stretch shorts which come up to mid way between the knee and panty line. Deals with rubbing thighs as well for me. I make my own in interesting prints. It's easy. You can too. Don't forget the cotton liners either. Anything which allows you to breathe. Non scented wipes are great for your ablutions too. Make sure you are dry completely before you pull up your underwear though! It takes but a few seconds so be patient and you'll be clean. Wipes are one of my big girls essential hand bag items which I'll be doing in my next post. Look our for it. Anyway, there is so much to tell and so little time now. But I'll let you know when this project is done and I hope you will enjoy reading the results.
Big bodies are a fascinating science! I've loved it and am loving learning more and more about it. These tips are already helping me a great deal in my daily life and strangely giving me more confidence in myself and my body. But more on this another time. Take the time to read the links below. There's more in them than I could write on this blog and start to make your own body science discoveries.
Stay beYouteefool bigYoutifuls!
RayRay xx
PS - The only thing I really don't like about what I've discovered is how expensive it is to be big and plus size! It's almost unaffordable to be healthy! :(
http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/intertrigo-a-red-rash-in-the-skin-folds/
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/health/which-deodorant-is-right-for-you
Samples of Anti-Yeast Shampoo Products
Samples of Anti-Yeast Skin Lotion
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