The Truth About Size Zero

The other night we watched a documentary called The Truth About Size Zero. It followed a UK celeb for one month as she extreme dieted to squeeze from size US 6 (or size 4) to a size US 0. Louise Redknapp, a former member of the all-girls band Eternal (never heard of it) and a current TV presenter, underwent this crazy diet to showcase the ridiculous obsessions to be stick-thin.

She kick-started the diet in LA, the city known as the "Land of Size Zero" throughout the show. They also showed some photos of various Hollywood celebs like Terry Hatcher (pictured left) and various models and it was almost sickening to see how boney they were. It is one thing to be thin or in shape, it is quite another to be pure bone. This obsession with being emaciated is getting way out of hand. Two models from the died from anorexia this year.

Anyway, the documentary was interesting and highlighted how un-glam Hollywood dieting truly is. First of all, Louise could not eat ANY pasta. None. For 30 days she only ate vegetables and she worked out twice a day (at least). They weren't fun workouts either, they were hardcore. She lost her patience with her husband and son, became overly emotional and cranky, was continually struggling with tiredness, lost weight in her boobs first, and her hair was extremely dry. A doctor monitored her throughout the month and pleaded with her to stop the diet, but she was trying to make a point and in doing so, hoping to reach out to young girls who have eating disorders.

She did get into the size zero by the 30th day. Then she had to be monitored as she put the weight back on gradually.

One of the saddest parts of the documentary was when she met with girls suffering from anorexia and bulimia. They were all staying at a England's first eating disorder help center and one of the girls was 12. TWELVE YEARS OLD and suffering from an eating disorder. It was so sad.

So on the one hand we have this pressure for young girls to be emaciated and on the other both America and England have the highest rates of obesity. It's like two extremes and they are both equally disheartening and I would guess, equally damaging.

It saddens me to think what it will be like when our children are old enough to understand body image. I just want my little girl to be healthy and active and to ENJOY life (which to me means enjoying food too). I don't know what it's like for you guys, but pre-pregnancy I thought about my weight a lot. I DO remember being a size 6 in Utah and being surrounded by size 0s. Could so many girls be that genetically small? Maybe, but I definitely think this weight-obsession thing is increasing and I noticed it's normalcy among females in college especially.

Eating disorders are just more prevalent than ever before - both obesity and anorexia/bulimia. To think it effects a 12-year-old to the point that she is in a recovery hospital is just too sad. How do we save our children from this? First thoughts...Instilling confidence, teaching what is beautiful, allowing her (or him) to BE HERSELF. Remember when Missy posted this ad? Love it. And I also like this one.

Thoughts?

the song of the day

is one of my favorites. It's perfect for playing over and over again and dancing like you're a 1982 aerobic instructor. I'm just saying. :)

strollers, pushchairs, buggies, etc

When looking for our stroller my main criteria was that it had to be light, durable and easy to take on and off public transport. We went back and forth between the Maclaren Techno XT and the Quinny Zapp, which was a little different from the norm. I also loved how it folded down SO tiny.

A lot of people get the prams here, but it just wasn't efficient for us and it's very expensive ($700). I like prams, but they just weren't right for our life. Side note: There are SO many different strollers in London - some of them look like exercise machines. Also, it was difficult for me to find travel systems here.

Alas, we were safe and stuck with the Maclaren. Reasons? It was light, had great reviews, had four different positions, could be used from birth and had storage space. In the first few months I regretted the decision, because Izzy HATED her stroller. The Quinny allows for a carrier to snap into it and is also a forward facing stroller if you take the carrier out. I thought she would have liked her stroller more if she could see me and that wasn't an option with the Maclaren.

She likes her stroller now. In fact, she likes it because she loves being outside. I'm happy with the Maclaren. It hasn't changed my world and it's not that exciting, but it has proved faithful. It's light and durable - it's been tossed on 11 different planes and still works perfectly. It does need the optional eating tray for children and cop holders for me. I need to see if they have those optional accessories.

When it's time for another one, I'm interested in the Phil and Ted's E3 double stroller.



What strollers have you guys gone with? Are you happy with them? Would you buy them again?

baby bytes

I know our babies can't actually email right now, but getting the right email address is hardly accessible these days! When I was switching from hotmail to gmail, I had to play around a bit to get a decent email address. I just wanted my name as the address and I had to add my middle initial rather than signing up with LindsPhi200567@gmail.com (or something like that). So, I signed Isobel up with an email address. By the time she's old enough to do it herself, her name will be gone and she'll be stuck with Izofil@gmail.com or something. IsobelPhillips wasn't available so I added her middle initial and viola! She now has her own email...and sometimes her dad gets emails from her.

It's really fun to see from: Isobel Phillips.

Baby Legs

I've known about this site - Baby Legs - since before Avery was even born. And I have yet to buy a pair despite all the great reviews of them. But, the time has come. I've got to get her some. Maybe for her birthday? I think they look just, plain adorable with skirts.

Cheer

What picks you up during the day? I can't be the only one that has sluggish days every once in a while. I've realized that just getting outside can really brighten my mood. Specifically getting outside and NOT going on a run or getting a workout, but walking around the neighborhood holding my little girl and pointing to the birds in the sky.

BUT, what about you that can't get outdoors? Here are some things that we've done when it's "cold" for us...and I don't want to spend money.

1) Turn on some music and dance
2) Fill up the tub and play with different toys than "bedtime bath toys" ie: anything plastic that I can find in my kitchen
3) Build a fort (ok, Devin actually did this on a Saturday, but I watched and was happy to come in and see all the little things "they" built)
4) Bake cookies! And eat them!
5) Get really excited when Avery does something special...I've noticed that when I start clapping and exclaiming at little things I get more excited about the day as a whole
6) Blow bubbles...I'm usually just as amused watching them as she is
7) Head to the library or Barnes and Noble for storytime
8) Do some yoga poses - Avery actually laughed at me as I was doing them, watching me go up and down. She found it amusing, I guess!
9) Vacuum with baby in the Bjorn - I just did this the other week and although it was heavy and exhausting...I had fun because she was attached to me!
10) Make your husband a card and have it be "from" the baby. I stamped Avery's hand in an ink pad and then put together an "I Love You" card to Devin from her. She didn't particularly enjoy the inked hand (she doesn't seem to like stuff on her hands), but she liked watching me put together the card (and playing in the paper).

What do you do?

If You Wanted To Change Your Nursery

If you have the desire {and money} to change your nursery decor, I'm totally digging this site. Specifically the bedding above.

But, check out these cool quilts and this "t" (for boys) and these fabulous changing mats.