Saturday, February 27, 2010

Bonafide Big Girl Bombshell – Kirstie Alley

In my book, Kirstie Alley is a bonafide Big Girl Bombshell.  She struggles with her weight on a daily basis, just like you and me, but the difference is she has had to do it in the public eye.  Just like Oprah has. And as we all know, the media has some harsh opinions.  Kirstie’s new company and diet program, Organic Liasion, launched this week and Oprah was there to support her.

Yes, I admit I checked it out.  I even had a fleeting moment of getting caught up in the hype and thinking YES, I should join.  I have checked out the phitter site and even signed up a month ago, to see what it was all about.  It’s her own little twitter program with a play on words.   Actually, it’s kind of cute.

I have always liked Kirstie Alley.  She has a persona that exudes attitude.  She is funny, sassy, and yes, she struggles just like us.  But while I was watching the intro video and thinking, “Oh I might join!” it was followed by another thought.   Why?  Look at that first, Julie, then decide.   That is what I am going through right now.  Asking myself “Why?” before I act.  I actually quit Weight Watchers this week.  For me, a lot of times, it comes down to where I want to spend my money.  In these tough economic times and tight budgets, it has become more important than ever, to question where I spend my hard earned dollars.

That “Why?” always seems to lead me back to my attitude and my thoughts of worth.  I can get caught up in hype because of validation.  If a program, product, book, or even a blog, can validate some of the things I believe, then I am interested.  But why do I think I need to pay for that validation?  That is the question for me.

I believe we are all in search of the answers, but perhaps, just maybe, it is the questions we should seek, first.  I struggle, often, with what I “feel” is the answer, but not following through because it might go against the norm and what others might think of me.

My question is what don’t I know.  I don’t know much about how my body works.  I have abused it for way too many years by what I have fed it, whether that was with thoughts, opinions, sugar, or fat.  I haven’t fed it with enough of the “good” things.  That is the piece I am trying to learn.

A friend gave me a book to read this weekend.  Michael Pollon’s, “Food Rules”.  She said that when she read the book she thought of me and what I was trying to accomplish for myself.  That was a validation and support I needed to hear.  It makes me want to read te book.  Just like reading Ruby’s Diary.  After watching her show and reading her tweets and posts, it was a validation for what I believe.  Or the same can go for TV shows like Oprah or Dr. Oz. Perhaps, instead of answers, we are just looking for validation.

Will I join in on Kirstie’s program?  Honestly, I don’t know.  I have my reservations.   But there are a lot of things that I really like about the program.  It is about eating healthy, getting back to “real” food, giving support to organic and real food, not the processed, fast foods made in a plant instead of from a plant.  It incorporates the things I do know that work for me.  The validation and support of others that are going through it. One of the big selling points for me is that she is being real.  Again, just like Oprah.  They are trying to share parts of themselves and what they believe in, WHILE they are going through it.

I have heard comments about Kirstie not being a good example for a weight loss program, I think it is perfect.  She will show us WHILE she is doing it.  That is a personal thing I have lived with.  I have said it before that I felt I was living a lie.  Knowing the answers, wanting desperately to help others while working on these things myself, but my outside package is not viewed as successful.  Does that mean I know any less? Does it mean that success is only based on the scale or other’s opinions of us?  No, our success is when we can walk the talk and show it by our actions, not just the end result.

And speaking of support and walking,  I have someone close to me that sent me a blog link to support her cause, the MS walk.  Crystal at Wanna Be a Balanced Mom is willing to donate a quarter, up to $100, toward the MS Walk for every comment made on her blog.  A simple comment that can go a long way toward helping. Let your voice be heard.

Now, let me know, Who are the bombshell woman in your life?  What can you do to validate or support them?  Who in the public eye do you admire?  What one little step can you take to validate and support yourself?  This bombshell wants to know!

Saturday, February 27, 2010