I am mean.

Funny how we are. Don't lie I know you're all like me Plus Size Women (and others actually).

As I was entering a restaurant, I see a Plus Size Woman coming out: "This one should eat at home and check what she eats instead of going to a restaurant" I SWEAR THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!

Okay, that's mean but you can’t go in life being nice all the time. Plus I THOUGHT IT NOT SAID IT!

Back to my story:
I went in, sat down, and ordered a delightful apple-caramel pie loaded with vanilla ice cream JUST FOR ME.
HUMMMMM THAT WAS GOOD.

Of course I know what you think: “she has nerves this one judging others and then binging on her own as if life was coming to an end.

You won’t believe that it did not even strike me until after the pie.

Oh and maybe as I was entering the restaurant, she, the Plus Size Woman, thought the same thing….

Interesting how we judge and “feel” the judgment from others.

Have you ever tried to be conscious to your thoughts and realize how much you judge yourself and others? Try it it’s mind blowing.

Have you ever wondered why you feel relieved coming home and suddenly relaxing your stomach?

BECAUSE you have no eyes on you.

Catherine LG

Rio Carnival 2012 is starting February 17th

Brazil is for sure an interesting country for Fashion, New cool hot weather fashion... So Brazil makes the news regularly lately, behind the bad news around the Globe.

For those who can't travel to Brazil, no worries, BellesPlus is bringing you a little bit of it.

Do you know the Havaianas? Yes it is an addiction and you might be affected without knowing it:

Collection Havaianas - Crédits : © Véronique Veber

Documentary from Véronique Veber et Jérôme Teigné
Une production France3 - Thalassa

They even created them..... in GOLD AND DIAMONDS!

Collection Havaianas - Crédits : © Véronique Veber

Documentary from Véronique Veber et Jérôme Teigné
Une production France3 - Thalassa

But the best, the best.....

Brazilian Plus Size Carnival Muse Wins Fans

She is big - She is sexy

Who would Dare to say otherwise?

She loves dancing, so she does it!

What is wrong with that?

Click on the picture to go see her in action.

Catherine LG

Am I getting old and ugly?

Honestly there is now one thing that worries me more than being a Plus Size..... getting Old.

I’m serious.

I’m even thinking that losing weight might not be such a good idea. I might wrinkle more and faster.

When I see a picture of myself, it’s the first thing I notice. Am I greyer or not? Do I look my age (no I won’t tell you!) or younger?

At the same time, I am trying to convince myself that I am not as old as it seems. It would work if..... I didn’t have kids! They remind me my age with so much pleasure.

Well tell me what you think.

The Old Mama or La Vieille (same thing in French) as my kids like to call me, does not look too bad, NO?

You know what I need from you.....

(Compliments maybe?)

Hardcore Exercise

You know what? Sometimes I am tired of talking about us, us, US = PLUS SIZE. I wonder if I define myself to much as a Plus Size and will not be able to define myself otherwise.

I’ll tell you why. 10 days ago I started exercising during the week. 3 hours of Socaramba and Afrocaribdance on Saturday is a little hard core when you do nothing else during the week.

So.... after going 6 months to Goodlife Fitness and paying 12 months, you know what I mean, I wanted to try something FREE and EASY to go to.

I started with Chuck, my boss (he is a bit “different” like all of us in this job), climbing stairs. IT SOUNDS EASY? Thing is, we are on the main floor and there is 17 FLOORS. Yep 17!

Chuck does it 3 times. Up and down, up and down, up and down.... with weights and push ups at each end. And there’s a rule: you have to touch the door with your finger on the main floor and on the 17^th floor! Told you: he is different.

So here I went. Super SLOWLY. Almost died on the 5^th floor. But eventually made it to the top.

I did it every day for 10 days and as always almost died on the .....5^th floor!

As if it was not enough, I added some jogging with neighbour Natalie.

Oh I forgot to tell you: I want to lose weight!

Guess what happened:

1. I have back pain from... probably doing a bit too much exercise. I am not as young as you anymore. Natalie, don’t say a word, I know what you think. YOU TOLD ME.

2. I lost 4 pounds in 10 days. I was so happy but for whatever reason went to a Chinese buffet yesterday and had pizza and cake tonight! So it is probably all back in.

So, back to my purpose, I think that losing weight scares me to death. I don’t see any other reason for my behaviour. What would I do with BellesPlus if I was skinny (although it would take me some time to get there)? What would I wear? Would I look like everybody else? Would I lose my “difference”? Funny when they say that we are now the majority!!!

At least nobody will dare to say that I am lazy!!!

See you soon,

I am mean.

Funny how we are. Don't lie I know you're all like me Plus Size Women (and others actually).

As I was entering a restaurant, I see a Plus Size Woman coming out: "This one should eat at home and check what she eats instead of going to a restaurant" I SWEAR THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!

Okay, that's mean but you can’t go in life being nice all the time. Plus I THOUGHT IT NOT SAID IT!

Back to my story:
I went in, sat down, and ordered a delightful apple-caramel pie loaded with vanilla ice cream JUST FOR ME.
HUMMMMM THAT WAS GOOD.

Of course I know what you think: “she has nerves his one judging others and then binging on her own as if life was coming to an end.

You won’t believe that it did not even strike me until after the pie.

Oh and maybe as I was entering the restaurant, she, the Plus Size Woman, thought the same thing….

Interesting how we judge and “feel” the judgment from others.

Have you ever tried to be conscious to your thoughts and realize how much you judge yourself and others? Try it it’s mind blowing.

Have you ever wondered why you feel relieved coming home and suddenly relaxing your stomach?

BECAUSE you have no eyes on you.

Catherine LG

What a day in my Plus Size life!

This one was such a roller coaster I thought it was Full Moon!

But no, just a weird day.

So, let’s remember why I love my life:

• My Mom is French, I mean French from Paris (here we say the worst type except my Mom and well my family). Actually from Normandie. I know Kaila, in English it’s Normandy. But what did you expect from a Crazy French Chick (not Cheek I know)? It does not sound the same to me if it’s Normandy. So Normandie it is. And it explains why I love cows! Oh let me tell you, they don’t like Plus Size Women in France.
• My Dad is Mauritanian. No, I won’t tell you where it is, figure it out yourself. Okay, capital is Nouakchott, does it help? I should mention that Mauritania is the country where men most LOVE BIG WOMEN in the World?
• Oh now you’re listening.

• My husband is from Cameroun. We were there recently and I loved it.
• I dance with great women mostly from the Caribbean but also from here. I am the biggest but also the oldest at the Afrocaribdance . And STILL DANCING my heart away! Thanks Suzan for who you are.
• My son plays hockey in a team where there is various nationalities (taking over THE Canadian Sport). Actually one dad is from Fiji Islands, immigrated to New Zeeland before moving to Canada where he met his Jamaican raised in Ottawa wife! How much fun is that!
• A lady co-worker from Timmins - not sure if it is on any map (just kidding – go find it) – became a grandmother of 2 twin girls last week.
• My favorite co-workers are 1. Adena who used to be so politically correct before she became a bitchy pregnant woman who put her name on the bathroom door so that she has it reserved. And 2. Crazy Canadian Chick Kaila who tries (with Adena) to teach me good English (I can’t tell the difference between Chick and Cheek and Bitch or Beach)
• And I can’t lose weight because...... I HAVE BellesPlus.com. How weird would it be if I was skinny!
• And I would not leave you alone in the Plus Size World. I am nice like that.

Catherine LG

My First Encounter with Needles.

This year? Well, let’s see:

I have been hypnotised (I’ll tell you about it later)I have finally tried Pilates after wondering what this strange word was hiding (torture?)

I have been to Cameroun, Africa (I miss it like crazy).
And, at last (we’ll see about that):

I have experienced..... NEEDLES IN MY BACK!

IT IS CALLED ACUPUNCTURE.

Yes, I met Dominic Vallée, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.


www.acupunctureinottawa.com

He is as fascinating as he is passionate about his work.

If not, why else would he have quit his profession and studied Traditional Chinese Medicine for 5 years in Victoria and 2 years and a half in South Korea?

Oh and just look at his picture, you’ll read passion in his eyes.

When I met Dominic, he offered me a session to see his work in action. Excuse me? Acupuncture? WOW AND WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO TO GET BUSINESS?

So I went, RELUCTANTLY.

Dominic’s first question? Why would you go see an acupuncturist? (Good, we don’t start with needles)
I don’t know... Oh yes. A few months ago, I was exhausted for no obvious reason. Went to the Doctor. He exhausted me even more with tones of questions to conclude..... that he had no clue! See you next time (when I’m better???)

Of course, Dominic Vallée, after a few questions figured out what was wrong. The moment has now arrived.
I lay down without a word (unusual for people who know me) trying hard to NOT visualize the NEEDLES. I can hear loud in my head the ripping of the bag holding the NEEDLES.

And.... AAAAAAH. At the 1st one I ALMOST JUMPED OFF THE TABLE. WHY? I don’t know, I DID NOT FEEL A THING!

I can’t even tell you how many needles Dominic planted in my back. 10? 20?
What I do know is that hygiene is crucial for him. New needles each time. No recycling.

My mind is now wandering here and there, verifying inside my body that every organ is working properly. I nap for a while, wake up, my head is heavy (Doctor, did I snore?). I feel regenerated, calm, at peace (from what?)

Whatever you have (go check the list of things he can cure on his website: www.acupunctureinottawa.com), go see Dominic Vallée. Or call him, he is super nice. You’ll be impressed.

Acupuncture in Ottawa
#305-411 Roosevelt Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K2A 3X9

(613)421-6500