Fat Chicks Rule

Wal-Mart

Although I list Wal-Mart in my book and give them a relatively high grade (a B for their decent sizes and business style), I do not like them as a company and I flat out refuse to buy anything from them.   I understand that many people may have this chain as their only option for purchasing clothes. I also understand that living in NYC, I have many  options for shopping that don't require me to drive 50 miles out of the way for an alternative to Wal-Mart.

That said, the New York Times recently wrote an article about an internal memo from Wal-Mart that got leaked:

"An internal memo sent to  Wal-Mart's board of directors proposes numerous ways to hold down spending on health care and other benefits while seeking to minimize damage to the retailer's reputation. Among the recommendations are hiring more part-time workers and discouraging unhealthy people from working at Wal-Mart."

Read the rest of the article here. (You'll need to sign in).

This could have a profound effect on the employment of workers who are "overweight" by AMA standards.  This could even conceivably produce a trend where people who are considered "unhealthy" (whether they are or not) don't deserve jobs.  Why do I think is? Like it or not (I don't), what Wal-Mart does influences other retailers and other employers. It's been argued that Wal-Mart's reliance on the lowest wage earners both for labor and sales has helped keep our wages low all across the country. That's great for Wal-Mart's stock holders, but less great (even lousy) for the rest of us.

I urge people to contact Wal-Mart and tell them that you're fat (or support size acceptance) and that if this becomes company policy, that you will no longer shop at Wal-Mart.

E-mail feedback form.
 Submit feedback to corporate headquarters 

Via mail

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611.

By phone
1-800-WAL-MART (1-800-925-6278).

Awesome news!! I just heard that Torrid will be carrying my book in their stores!! Yeaha!!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good.  Met with  a caterer in Cambria Heights.  He is having a fashion show next month and would like to me to be there for a book signing.  Will post more details as I get them.  The place is called Marcus Hall.

The Bad.  Nolfolk State University "'Fat stations' will be set up around campus for NSU’s nursing students to offer support to  those who want to get healthy."

The Ugly.  Former fat chick Carnie Wilson who praised gastric bypass and now promoting Optifast which she is supposedly doing to quickly lose pregnancy weight.   I have to wonder, if gastric bypass is so wonderful, why does she need optifast?

I will try to make a regular posts on Monday.

I'm going to back track to a few weeks ago.  I went with my friend and her daughter (my goddaugher)  to the mall where my friend (size 8) wanted to check out the underwear at Victoria Secret.   I went inside to be a sarcastic observer.  (Her daughter who is 10 and a strong feminist already was horrified by the store).  One of the sales clerks would not leave me alone and kept insisting I take this free body creme sample.  I refused, and the third time she asked, I said outloud.  "Carry something in my size and then we'll talk."  Needless to say my goddaughter had to drag me out.

One step forward, one step back

In the New York Metro area, we have a great store called "Rainbow."  Rainbow carries funky clothes geared to young women, teens and kids.  They have a beautiful selection of plus size wear.  Those of you who saw me speak at the NAAFA convention should knew that the dress I wore came from Rainbow.

There was a Lane Bryant down the street from me that moved to the Queens Mall.  Much to my delight a rainbow moved into the space.  Yesterday was my first chance to check out the new store.   However when I walked in I saw a sign that read plus sizes and pointed to the basement.

There we were again delegated to the basement. My heart sank.  In other Rainbow stores everything was on the same floor. 

I still went downstairs to check the selection and I was pleased that with the exception of a small lingerie area the plus section dominated the entire floor.  Meanwhile missus, juniors, shoes and accessories had to share the top floor.

So while I wasn't happy to be in the basement, I was glad for the better selection.  The only other store that has more plus sizes than other sizes is Fashion Bug.

In Her Shoes

Is there not a size 16 are above actress in all of Hollywood?

I'm none too happy with the adaptation of  "In her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner.  The book is about Rose and her sister Maggie who are very different except they share the same shoe size.   Rose, who is the main character is fat and Maggie, her sister, is thin.   Rose doesn't lose weight, and accepts herself.

In the movie, Toni Collette who is not a size 14-16, gained 25 pounds for the role and lost it during filming (apparently the character Rose does slim down) and focus of the movie seems more about Maggie, than Rose.

I think I'll review the movie when it comes out on videotape.

I afraid if they ever get around to making "Good in Bed"  they'll have some thin anorexic in a fat suit.