The Femme Files

Let’s Talk About Sex Baby…

Not The Hanky-Panky Kind, But Your Gender Role

The gender neutrality trend of the late has got us all asking questions – Is Storm, the genderless Canadian baby, a girl or boy? Does the androgynous Australian supermodel, Andrej Pejic, identify more with females than males? Does the Swedish neutral gender preschool, Egalia, really forbid the use of ‘his’ and ‘her’?

Big Women Hit the Front (of Vogue Italia)

If this picture had just one word to describe it- it’d be “refreshing”.  Because we think it is REFRESHING to see some women in the flesh, with some flesh on them!

So we respond with a big “grazia” to Vogue Italia for featuring these three curvies on the cover of their June 2011 edition.

After reviewing the comments of several different fashion forums, it seems the gesture is highly appreciated amongst others as well! The comments range from “amen and hallelujah” to “it’s about time.”  

And rightly so-though the feature is greatly appreciated, I have to ask-what took so long?!

Seeing it’s been 10 years since Vogue Italia featured models on the cover whose sizes are in the double digits; I can only hope we’ll see another bevy of curvy beauties before the next decade.

Imagine if there were more of these sized models mixed in the media. I refuse to even label them as “plus” sized because they are only “plus” compared to the “minus” sized women gracing all the magazine covers and billboards this day and age.

Speaking of time, there was an era when curvy women were held in high esteem. Just have a look at the majority of paintings and photos taken around the mid-twentieth century- bountiful bodies and boobies were the du jour look and favourable to paint,  while protruding collarbones and bony knee caps stayed off the canvas.

Those in high fashion defend that skinnier women make the clothes look and fit better. While there may be some truth to this, I feel sorry that these models are treated more like clothes hangers and are far away from being any representation of good health that others could model themselves by!

My condolence cupcakes are on the way lil ladies!

Femmefile readers, how do you feel about this refreshing change of healthy and well-rounded women being featured in high fashion? 

Great Expectations

Not Talkin’ Charles Dickens, But Your Relationship…

I recently read the “Love” section of my 2011 Astrology Report and it said:“You would move across the world for love; so you’d expect a lover to do the same.” 

Though it was scarily on target-I have moved across the world for love and I’d expect someone who loves me to do the same-it brought something else to my attention…

MY Hypoxi diary

Hi Femme readers, sorry for my delayed post again. The last time I posted I was finishing up my 3^rd week or my 9th session of HYPOXI. Well, at this point I have finished all 12 sessions and I have signed up for another course of 12!

Normally my husband wouldn’t be too happy with me for this, but because he’s seen how great I am looking and how happy I am feeling, he understands you can’t put a price tag on this. And why should you?

Health and happiness (and feeling sexier) is something we all need to have at the end of the day. Of course, now I want to spend money on a new wardrobe, although I am happy being able to fit into all my old favourites that have been collecting dust for the past year.

So allow me to share my results to date…

After 12 sessions I lost around 12.5 kilos and I have also gone down two dress sizes.  At this point in time I am now approaching my 19^th session and I have lost another few kilos. My weight is around 76 kilos. Don’t forget that when I started I was around 92 kilos. That seems like a lot to lose and it is, but I am not doing anything drastic- I am losing weight at a healthy rate, between 1 and 2 kilos a week.

I felt myself hit a bit of a plateau last week, which I have to let my readers know, is absolutely natural. I spoke with my consultant and she told me our bodies do best when they have a routine; sometimes, however, our bodies can get too comfortable so they need to be shaken up a bit.

 So I opted to cut my no carb time from 4 hours to 6. I also try to eat dinner earlier by having it before 7. And instead of taking my car to run errands that are up the street, I force myself to walk there.

Taking these small steps can help fight the plateau that is commonly experienced with any exercise regime. And they aren’t too hard or drastic, either.

My Overall Verdict of HYPOXI:

If you’ve been reading my posts, you are well aware that I am extremely happy with HYPOXI. I have safely and effectively lost weight; my hips, thighs, bum and stomach have been toned and shaped quite significantly; my circulation has improved and my skin is firmer and more toned.

I feel like the person before HYPOXI is a far cry from the person I am now. I feel happier and more confident. I have more energy, too.

Apart from the fantastic results I have gotten from HYPOXI, I enjoy the boutique atmosphere and I have a life coach, nutritionist, motivator and possibly a friend all in one from my dear treatment consultant.

After I finish my additional course of 12 sessions I will most likely be joining the VIP membership which will help me maintain my new figure.

Femmefile readers, if you are in position like I was- overweight, unmotivated, lacking confidence and afraid of the gym; I encourage you to visit your local HYPOXI studio…better yet, I demand you to!