Day 3: Back to “Reducing”

Due to some poor planning on my part, I had to do my “reducing” day earlier than I anticipated. I thought I had it figured out, but clearly I didn’t – that’ll be on my tombstone. So today I was back to the basics – see my Day 1 post for details. 

My one indulgence for the day was a late-evening Jello binge. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold out for long, and after covering the front desk again at work, and a romantic disappointment (read: rejection), I had just about had it. I decided that hey, at least it’s not McDonalds, and finished the whole pan of Jello. So I’m off to the store tomorrow for more supplies since I’m off from rehearsal – I need to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies, orange juice, tomato juice, and Jello. (I’ll post a picture of my grocery haul!)

I won’t bore you with the details of my meals today since you’ve already read them – but I’ll say this: I really am enjoying the food on this plan. I like that I’ve chosen to alternate between the two schedules as it gives me just enough variety to keep me from going crazy. If I were to continue this after my experiment is over (and I actually might – though I’ll give myself a little more slack), I’d probably swap out sweet potatoes for the white ones, and maybe do beans or lentils instead of meat, since I’m trying to eat more vegetarian, but otherwise most of the day is definitely doable. Who knows, maybe I’ll go hunting for another vintage diet book for your entertainment! 

Today’s fun chapter is entitled “Clothes Tips for Structural Defects”. Sylvia has no patience for “clothes that attempt to hide your excess weight because their (sic) shouldn’t be any excess weight to hide”. However, she’s been gracious enough to give “you fat girls” tips for dressing while dieting. She’s a real charming lady. Her suggestions are as follows:

• Wear plain clothes, rather tailored, but not tight.
• Wear dark colors with no big patterns or flowers
• Subtle, narrow stripes are acceptable as long as they are vertical
• No pointed toed shoes or high heels “…nothing is so ridiculous as a fat woman wabbling (sic) around on spike heels.” (Rude, and not true- I have great legs, and I get nothing but compliments when I wear heels)
• A plain, fairly tailored suit, sports hat (which is essentially a menswear inspired hat like a fedora, bowler, panama etc.), and walking-heel shoes make the best costume
• Not a lot of jewelry. No beads or necklaces, as they will draw attention to a “fat neck”

She also gives tips for various “structural defects” that can’t be changed (thank you Sylvia, for acknowledging that we are, in fact, human):

• Narrow shoulders: shoulderpads and puffed sleeves, taffeta, collars, scarves, and big bows at the neck
• Short waists: princess type dresses, no belts.
• Tall women: break up lines with fullness in blouse, and in the skirt beginning around the knees, wear belts to break a long line, and baby French heels in the evening.
• Short girls: long and simple lines, narrow vertical stripes, small polka dots, jackets with long narrow rows of buttons, long, straight skirts, high-heeled shoes, the hem of your day skirt should be 8” from the floor. 

Nothing revolutionary here, friends. Sylvia is giving tips and tricks that we still read in magazines today. What differs is that now we are also told that you can wear whatever you like, and if you have enough confidence, you will look good. But if Sylvia had told women that, no one would have needed her book! 

Preview for tomorrow: I have the evening off rehearsal, so look forward to finally seeing some of Sylvia’s exercise regimen for reducing fat. It’s a HOOT.