I'm a young grandma of 62 years. It's summer and I struggle to pull-on my well fitting girdle. Yes, it's summer and I certainly dislike wearing a girdle. Girdles are still elastic. When I am not doing any of the heavier housework or gardening, I opt for a cotton panty shaper. This is my third year wearing girdles. The wearing of girdles was un-heard-of by me until now. The wearing is now permanent.
European women are more used of this garment. I had to learn to make a girdle wear longer by washing it in the proper way. I now wash them in tepid water with mild soap. A detergent for wool sweaters works. Postively no using the clothes dryer! Although I was fairly careful washing girdles in the beginning, I used the washing machine too much. A couple of quick swishes in the sink basin will do, and then hang to dry.
I had an operation. I have had more than one operation in the same area. I had had an abdominal hernia. In the last operation the surgeon had to come into that area from underneath the muscles. He told me that I would always have a big belly because of the way the operation was done. I have a mesh square inside at the bottom of my belly. I have a character belly. I have marks and lumps of fat. I accept my belly for what it is... that took time.
When I worked through my emotions of how I looked, I looked around and started to notice the many teen age girls of this generation... they look the same way as I do. Their bellies hang-out!
I buy extra large tops so that the material falls gracefully over the pushed-up fat area above my waist. The young girls don't care about that appearance. Above their tight jeans waist they over-hang. With the shorter tee shirts you see naked belly flab. I got used of seeing the older men with their big bellies hanging-out and they are still hanging-out, but I wonder about the young generation.
I was average weight and shape. I changed to pleasantly plump, and had to work on getting-back to average (was near my goal when I aquired the hernia). I walked and walked, did stretch exercises, and I went on a diet. I took those 'eat-up the body fat pills.' Now, I am average with a big belly. I cannot use those belly blaster workout pictures, or the beat the bulge for the Abdominals print-outs that I had saved. I am becoming smaller, gravity is pulling my skin downward. I look down and I see my big belly. I still watch how I pose for photographs. Maybe in a thousand years or so I will get fully used of it!
I'm glad for the firm denim fabric in jeans, it gives me a break from the girdles. I'm glad for the plus sizing for clothes. I'm glad for body shapers, and the wide selection of them. I found lacy as well as elastic girdles the other day, I'm glad to see design is being paid attention to.
Jessie Eldora Robertson is a Freelance writer & photographer also a seller of digital cameras & accessories on her estore/site; a young-spirited grandma keeping-up and keeping fit.
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Sadly this seems to be a common problem. My mother in law suffered with this for years. She is now 79 and has big problems walking and is in much pain. The so called fix for them is diet and exerscise. Yes for a 79 year old who can just about stand, has bad knee's and has other heath issues. Her self esteem has been shattered for years and does the health care system care. Pay for cosmetic surgery is their answer when in my opinion this is a definite health matter, not just cosmetic. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for commenting Robert. I have been wanting to read your articles... (think I read one) and plan to do so when not so busy with my estore/galleries.
I feel for your mother in law. At her age it seems so... there is less emphesis to help because of age? I was told that this operation (canada) is not very successful. I did not know what I was 'in for.' I should have waited for a top notch rep'd surgeon, but it did not want to be on a long waiting list (hindsight). I was not told about costmetic surgery. I know the muscles are gone. But, I know it is wise to keep one's system clean... so I do all in that direction. I understand the self esteem drop. I have fairly good health in all other deptments so it is easier for me. I will pray a hudge prayer for your mother in law tonight, as I have been blessed and I understand. - Jessie.
I came across "the fat belly diet" just today. I sent for a rundown for my Mother in law. You may be interested. It supposedly according to Prevention Magazine works. Yet they all make claims to that. Best wishes for you. Robert.
That title did sound familar... sure enough I had their site bookmarked, it was Prevention. So, I finally read it. I watched their video clip. Actually it is the information I have, and most of it I practise. I see they have a Blog, so I can read that from time to time. Wouldn't be buying their book though, as I can get the same free info elsewhere. Thanks for helping, Jessie.
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