Just Google It.

There comes a time in every chunky girl's life where she googles something embarrassing. It meets these two qualifications: 1. She hopes someone has asked the same question. (So she can find answers, of course.) 2. She hopes she can delete her browsing history before anyone knows she searched for that. My recent search terms have been things like "control top leggings", "how to get permanent marker off my skin", and "Can fat people go skiing?" The latter is the one I hurried to delete from my browsing history. It was followed up with searches for plus-size ski boots, leg measurements for ski boots, weight limit for skis, width of a chair lift, and (perhaps most important of my searches) how to get up after falling when wearing skis. My search was disheartening as I realized I would probably have to enter into an intimidating ski shop full of people who wear clothes from places like Zumez and EMS, get custom boots made for my legs, buy skis (so I could avoid writing my weight on the rental application at the resort), score a winter coat (which I have successfully avoided for years), and then still try to figure out how to get up after I fell without breaking into a full sweat. After all of my expensive ski purchases...what if I hated skiing? I decided that asking Google if I was too fat to ski was a breaking point for me. Although I am a confident girl, my chubbiness has never inhibited me from trying something new...until now. I want to be able to get up if I fall. I want to know that if I tear my ACL on the slopes I will be able to support myself on crutches. So I am aiming for next year. It might take me that long to find custom boots anyway! In the mean time, if you are willing to give it a go and need some ski gear and don't want to worry about deleting your search history - here is the best stuff I found:) Plus-size snow pants and jackets and Boots for large calves. Alright, ladies. I am off to the gym. My next post will be about my fat crying.

Supporting your Assets

When I was younger, I couldn't wait to wear a bra. When I finally started wearing a bra, it was a sports bra. Nothing says "welcome to womanhood" like a uni-boob. Thankfully, training bras have come a long way since 1993. Once I transitioned to the awkward "real" bra, I never really appreciated what it could do for me until college. To me, it was just a necessary evil. Once I discovered the power of a perfect bra, I have felt the need to tell the world - so listen up!

Ladies, you need to have a clear definition between your chub and your assets. Your chest should be well supported - regardless of age. Comfort is definitely a consideration but should not be the end-all. Here is what you should look for in an amazing "over the shoulder boulder holder" (thanks for that phrase, Punky Brewster).

1. Proper sizing. Go to Victoria's Secret, Sears, JC Penny, or a bra specialty shop and get fitted. Then, stay pretty much within that range. "Range?" You ask? Yes. Each bra and each brand will fit differently so try on multiple bras unti you find the one that matches with the rest of the advice below.
2. Support. 80% of the support should come from the back strap. It should fit loose enough so you can fit 2 fingers under the back strap and it is best to start on the middle hook.
3. Adjustable straps. If your chest is still "saggy", adjust your shoulder straps. A new bra should allow the shoulder straps plenty of "tightening" space. As the bra gets older, you will want to be able to tighten the shoulder straps. Also, the ability to criss-cross your straps will give unbelievable support. Try it sometime!
4. Underwire. Hear me out on this one. If the bra fits well, the underwire will lay flat against your ribcage and along the outside of each breast. A well-fitting bra will be comfortable. Make sure you are wearing the right size...then try several styles. The lift provided by the underwire is unmatched.
5. Padding. Just because you are well-endowed, doesn't mean you shouldn't have some padding in your bra. Good padding in the base if the bra cup will give your chest the extra boost it needs.
6. Fun. Buy a bra you like and that you are comfortable in. Wear it all day and if you decide you like it, but several more...and then throw out your boring bras:)

Good luck, ladies. A well supported chest makes your waste look thinner and balances out your hips.

Layers aren't just for dip.

It's been awhile. I am just coming out of my layers I've been swaddling myself in for the past several months. Which brings me to the topic of the day: Layers.

If you don't currently dress in layers, you must. Now. Not sure how? Just start layering - you will figure it out. Here are a few tips:

1. Supportive Bra. There is no excuse for you to not have proper support. I will post on what to look for in a good bra soon.
2. Anti-back-fat tank top. Control the jiggle, tuck it in, and rock it.
3. Long tank top. Cut your rear-end in half while staying modest on the top.
4. Shirt of the day. It can be flashy, fun, or whatever you prefer, but do yourself a favor and make sure that you will have seams in the right spot. If you are wearing a t-shirt (which I am NOT a big fan of...what does that do for us? Makes us look blobby!), pair it with a structured hoodie. If you are wearing a polo or button down without a "completer piece" (see number 5), it should have seams on each side of the chest to keep your bodice from looking lumpy.
5. If you so choose, pair your shirt with a cardigan, sweater, or structured jacket.
6. Accessories. Big girls need big bags...and don't forget the jewelry!

Please feel free to comment or email me (personatilee at gmail.com) with any specific questions. My goal for this spring and summer is to have pictures to define exactly what I am talking about!

Chunky Girls in Sweatpants

Who designs plus size clothes? I would love to speak to some of them. I feel that some of the stores selling plus size clothes are doing a disservice to those who do not understand how to dress for their body style.

Yesterday, I was at the Avenue and saw enough sweatpant material (they like to call it "knit") to cover the surface of the state of New Hampshire. This isn't a dig toward chubby girls like myself. This is just that almost their entire fall line is made out of sweatpants. Sweat skirts, sweat shirts and yes, even sweat dresses. I saw a really cute black and white flowered dress, but nothing says "I didn't buy this at a mainstream store" like a nice sweatband material around the waist like this dress had.

I think the main reason I am becoming more dissatisfied with the Avenue is because I recently discovered Talbots Woman. I know, I know, their demographic isn't exactly toward my generation. But for business and classic apparell, I like their stiff fabrics (they don't easily get stuck in fat rolls - see my post on Anti-Back-Fat tank tops), structured jackets and skirts, and trendy colors. Scarves, mom-pants, and funny length skirts are also abundant there if that is your thing.

Although the prices are very steep, clearance is good (albeit the selection is more limited) and since they get a new line in every month, there is plenty to choose from.

However, if sloppy, shapeless, frumpy, unflattering sweatpants are your thing. Have a happy fall. There is a time and a place for sweatpants. On your couch.

Friends don't let friends wear packaged panties

So the search for good underwear continues. Each chunky girl I talk with seems to have the same issue: poorly made or frumpy underwear. Ladies, I would like to inspire you. Just because you are not a size two does not mean you have to wear granny panties. Underwear is the only exception to the "just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it" rule. In fact, I strongly encourage you to wear sexy, fun, inspiring, feminine, undies.

I understand everyone's body is different. You may prefer thongs while I prefer boy shorts. Whatever works. Recently I had the underwear discussion with a friend. She wears a size 22 pants and needed to get new panties. I recommended she try American Eagle (aerie) boy short underwear. She thought I was crazy...and the logic that followed is legit. If she cant wear their clothes, how could she wear their underwear? That is where the stretch comes in. I have been wearing aerie undies for 7years and must admit that they are my faves. They fit well, wash well, and last long. They come in all shapes and just in care you were wondering, I wear an XL but haven't fit into their clothes since I was 9.

Why aerie?
- Lane Bryant underwear are not only cut to be pulled up to my bra, but also refuse to keep their shape. Instead if my chub staying put in my undies, my undies stretch almost to the point of falling off. I don't know about you, but my underwear inching down my legs while tooling around in Walmart is not my idea of sexy.
- Avenue offers granny panties, if that is what you are in to. They have some cute styles and prints but be prepared to have them come way higher than your natural waist. I just love bending over and letting the world see my cute panties pulled higher than my jeans...
- Torrid has cute underwear that aren't frumpy, but I have yet to review a pair. I actually was just there last night and decided against purchasing a pair to try. The fabric and cut was astonishingly similar to Lane Bryant's undies...and I know too well how badly that money was wasted.

Okay, so what do you do if aerie doesn't fit you? Department store undies are a good alternative. I will post my findings as I come across other fits, brands, and cuts as well as continue to hope LB and Avenue get their act together so all the workers in aerie don't think I have a poor misconception of my pant size.

Baby got back(fat)

I've come to accept my fat rolls. We don't get along well, but now that I have learned how to control the jiggle, things are better. Back fat is a common phrase for me. I simple won't wear a shirt if it can't somewhat conceal my back fat. Right now, as I sit in Starbucks, I am wearing my typical four layers on my upper half: bra, anti-back-fat tank top, regular tank so my chest doesn't hang out, and my shirt. I have heard the argument that wearing four layers probably increases my inch count around my torso. Yes, it very well may do that...but these inches don't jiggle and my back is covered when I sit down. There are few things less attractive in this world than stretch mark laden chub spewing out over pants. I will take my layers, thank you.

Four major things you must look for when purchasing an anti-back-fat tank top are length and strength, material, and fit.
1. Length - will it stay tucked in when seated? Will it roll up and cause your roll(s) to bulge?
2. Strength - do you jiggle? Good tanks will minimize or even stop the jiggle.
3. Material - ideally, the material will allow your chest to be controlled but not squished (which will cause you to have the chubby neck look), and it will be non-silky at the bottom. This is crucial so it stays tucked in...you don't want to look great one second and pregnant the next.
4. Fit - it should be snug and may feel uncomfortable at first. If you can get it on and keep it tucked in, go with that size!

So far, the best tank I have found for this back fat issue is sold at JC Penney and is called "I am Yummie". It embodies everything I mentioned, comes in sizes up to 3x and is reasonably priced. However, I have not tried the Spanx tank yet but will give a full review when I do.

Good luck, ladies. Let me know if you find a great product, as I am always looking to reduce the mass.

Short shorts?

I have decided chunky girls should live in Alaska. Summers are just more stress than it is worth. Think about it: sweaty dressing rooms, swimsuits, and dare I say the problem I am currently facing...shorts.

Not all big and beautiful girls struggle with the shorts topic. Some have sculpted legs and thighs that don't rub so bad that they set off a four alarm fire. For me, however, I have difficulty finding shorts that are long enough to hide the "top of the knee pudge" but that fit well enough in the rump and thighs to they don't ride up and reveal the knee-rolls I've concealed all winter.

After an extensive review of shorts so far this summer, I have decided three things:
1. We shouldn't wear plaid. Ever. Unless we want to look bigger. Trust me, ladies, I've tried it all.
2. Lane Bryant has the best short selection this summer. They are thick enough (that is a topic for my next post), structured, and come in a variety of lengths.
3. Once again, a friendly reminder to all of us: just because they make it in our size, doesn't mean we should wear it.

So ladies, unless you choose to move to Alaska (where sweaters, jeans, and layers are in style year round), good luck in your shorts hunt...and get ready for a fun, blog-filled summer!