Wimbledon Woes

12 Jul 2013


I am aware that I have slightly missed the boat with this post…by about a bloody week…but I just can’t stop myself from having a little rant about the situation between BBC commentator, John Inverdale, and the women’s singles champion, Marion Bartoli. I was going to let it pass without comment…but you know me, I can’t resist! ;-)

You have probably already heard his comments but for those who may not have, the enlightened Mr Inverdale said, ‘I just wonder if her dad, because he has obviously been the most influential person in her life, did say to her when she was 12, 13, 14 maybe, “listen, you are never going to be, you know, a looker”.

‘”You are never going to be somebody like a Sharapova, you’re never going to be 5ft 11, you’re never going to be somebody with long legs, so you have to compensate for that”.

‘”You are going to have to be the most dogged, determined fighter that anyone has ever seen on the tennis court if you are going to make it”, and she kind of is.’

If I want to put my incredibly rational and generous hat on, and give him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps his words have been misinterpreted. Maybe his words were merely a soliloquy – an attempt at highlighting the injustice and unfairness of not being born a beauty…how much easier life can be if you are a looker. Or perhaps he is just a misogynistic git who would rather be watching someone like Sharapova!

Marion Bartoli’s response was incredibly gracious and dignified. She said, ‘It doesn’t matter, honestly. I am not blonde, yes. That is a fact. Have I dreamt about having a model contract? No. I’m sorry. But have I dreamed about winning Wimbledon? Absolutely, yes.’’ Get in Marion! You have focused on your career and have done a bloody marvellous job – and I for one don’t think that she has anything to worry about in the looks department. And who the hell cares? She is fit and healthy and talented – and now a good deal wealthier thanks to her win!

It isn’t so much the fact that John Inverdale made these comments; it is more the fact that I know many people share them…they just aren’t misguided enough to repeat them, especially on that kind of level. Marion has undoubtedly had to work hard to get where she has. It is likely that she has trained alongside the beauties that Inverdale was referring to. It is also likely that she has compared herself to her peers – not only from a physical talent perspective, but a physical beauty one too…we all do it! So I doubt that she needed a reminder of this ilk an hour before she was due on court.

We have all been judged at some point in time. People make assumptions based on the looks of others and these assumptions and judgements can have lasting consequences. Take me for example, I was told that I didn’t have the right ‘look’ to work for a brewery. What were they looking for…a good head? They were referring to my weight directly, as this is still a free for all in terms of people discriminating without consequence. And it pissed me off – in fact one day I will name and shame the brewery in Burton upon Trent who are called something that rhymes with ‘Doors’! ;-) The fact that I went on to have bigger and better jobs doesn’t stop me from remembering this experience…and neither will it stop Marion Bartoli from remembering fecking John Inverdale!

This kind of behaviour – by the likes of commentators – has to stop. They get paid to commentate on the sport or the activity in question. I remember watching Serena Williams playing a game and hearing the words, ‘just like a man’ uttered in reference to her game and her power and her talent several times. She is not ‘just like a man’ at all! She is just an incredibly talented and powerful lady…something that a lot of her lesser peers and competitors cannot deal with. Is that her fault? Not at all…blame it on genes, blame it on hard work, blame it on raw talent…just don’t spout idiotic words and a load of bullshit.

I get so bloody sick at the emphasis placed upon looks. Having worked in recruitment for a long time, I have learnt not to judge a book by it’s cover…it is the substance that counts. Our natural instincts are to judge based on looks though. I have said this before, but it harks back to our ancestors who had to decided incredibly quickly if they were going to be harmed by the thing they were looking at. The same goes for anyone who has to make a quick decision – front line police, soldiers etc…is it a friend or foe? We make this judgement based on appearance – and whilst body language comes into too, that judgement has to be made quickly…before you get taken down! So we have an excuse – a lame-assed one if you aren’t in this line of work though!

Anyway, I have had my little rant and got it out of my system…so I will move on to the usuals…

I had another restless night of sleep – roll on autumn – and didn’t want to get my bum into gear today. However, as usual, I did. I was on the treadmill at 7am and starting work on my other half’s project by 8am. After this, I had some forms to fill out – I hate forms as I always make some sort of error…and given that my other half is prone to breaking into song, it usually means that song lyrics end up in there somewhere. Once that was done we headed off to the horses, who seemed fine in the heat, and then to Asda. Oh, I think that I may have been blipped by a speed check man…but I am not sure…so I will await the postman with anticipation! I then stayed indoors for the rest if the day as this heat is too much for a fattie like me…I do at times wonder if my fat will melt behind my skin. Seriously! Can that happen? I got to work on my nutrition diploma this afternoon and have completed a good portion of it now…still a way to go though. Apparently I will end up qualified to provide nutrition and diet plans for people…I only did it to keep my mind active though, so I won’t be trying to rope you in for a diet plan, don’t worry! It will be a quiet night as usual, with the promise of a nice lie-in tomorrow morning.

Breakfast: Two mini HiFi bars (1 x HEB) and a banana.

20130712-195850.jpgLunch: Quorn deli chicken, homemade hummus (1.5 syns), salad and a wholemeal pitta (1 x HEB).

20130712-195946.jpgDinner: Moroccan couscous (1.5 syns) with roasted Mediterranean veggies topped with halloumi cheese (2 x HEA).

20130712-201203.jpgSnacks: Two packets of Snack a Jacks (9 syns).

20130712-211705.jpgI have loved my food today! Brekkie was the usual, and lunch was gorgeous – my hummus with a loads of salad and a lovely warm pitta. I am really liking the Quorn deli chicken…I don’t feel that I am missing out if I have a Green day, and it is really tasty too. Dinner was inspired by the salads in this months new Slimming World magazine…expect I decided to leave out the chickpeas as I had already had these at lunch in the hummus.

Exercise: 1 x 5 minute, 1 x 15 minute and 2 x 20 minute treadmill sessions, plus 1 x 15 minute BodyPump / Swiss Ball session.

It was tough going in the heat today, and I had quite a bit on this morning and so just had to grab time when I could. I managed to get my full session in though, so it was another good exercise day.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Weight Loss Bitch xxx

  

WeightLossBitch

On a health and fitness driven journey to lose over 32st / 448lbs / 203kgs – yes, it is a considerable amount – I am committed to losing my excess weight without the aid of weight loss surgery, diet pills, or quick fixes…as there aren’t any! Changing my eating habits and building up my fitness levels, along with addressing the ‘head issues’ will be crucial in order for me to achieve my goal. Living in England as a 31 year old super morbidly obese woman can be challenging to say the least. I have been shouted at in the street and verbally abused far too many times to mention; hence the name ‘Weight Loss Bitch’…the day I am just called a ‘bitch’ instead of a ‘fat bitch’ will be the day that I know I have cracked my weight loss! With many reasons to lose this weight I am documenting my journey for a number of reasons. Firstly, I would like to keep a record of the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and the challenges I face with such an enormous task to tackle. Secondly, I would also like to inspire and encourage other people who are in a similar situation and to show them that significant amounts of weight can be lost naturally…with a bit of motivation, hard work, dedication and will power. Thirdly, all of the blogging, Facebook-ing, Tweet-ing, Pinterest-ing and YouTube-ing keeps me occupied and keeps my fingers out of the fridge!

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