Day 3: I Can't Reach

According to Entwistle coventions of dress are suppose to make the flesh something recognizable (Entwistle, 2000:8). The physical body itself does no tranformation. What is worn makes the physical transformation aesthetically pleasing (Entwistle, 2000: 8).

Today I was extremely uncomfortable. The T-Shirt I wore was to big therefore the padding kept slipping down and my towel was happily traveling down my legs every ten minutes. I decided to eat cereal for the first time this week and ended up failing terribly cause my stomach didn't allow me to reach over the bowl.

Comments were made about how easy it must be for me to get dressed in the morning, but no one asked what an inconvience it is carrying around a padded stomach and a towel, which is covering a revealling Speedo. I stopped at the service station this morning only to be welcomed with laughter. Did I expect anything less. 

Personally it feels really strange being padded. I'm a slim build by structure and I actually never thought of the discomfort some over weight individuals go through. My peers have made comments about forgetting what I look like and its true. This afternoon I was eating a sandwich and actually for a second thought twice as to whether or not I actually needed to eating when I looked at myself. According to Sussie Orbach there is a certain amount of unhappiness that comes with slimness, but I'm sure there is an unhappiness that follows obesity as well (Orbach, 2008:100) 

I'm still trying to disconnect from the outside world purley out of embarressment. Sooner or later its time to step out to see reactions.

Attempting to Eat Cereal at 6:05 am on the 16/03/2011

Day 2: Can I Punch Your Stomach Santa?

Obesity is a real issue in society today (Orbach, 2008:101). There is a huge emphasis being placed on body structure, body weight, body mass, lean body mass and muscle (Howson,2004:97). Dietitians today are making a fortune on directing so called "Over Weight" individuals into the righteous path of slimness (Orbach, 2008:94)

Diet pills have become a popular antidote for the over weight (Orbach,2008:94). People constantly are trying to slim down. I personally feel really uncomfortable wearing padding and pretending I'm over weight so I can't imagine what people who are over weight are actually going through.

Diets cause more of a weight flatulence (Orbach,2008:96). Diets if not controlled properly often cause individuals to gain weight faster because their metabolic rate decreases (Orbach, 2008:96). Your body in both cases, whether it is over weight or slim can only deal with so much stress. Often to much dieting can cause irregular eating as well as digestive patterns (Orbach, 2008:100). Obesity can contribute to a number of health problems (Howson, 2004:100).

There are people in this world that are comfortable with way they are as I mentioned yesterday. Some people today embrace being over weight and actually join social online groups to make their status known (Richard Glover. 2010). There has been stigma's that follow over weight individuals (Richard Glover. 2010). Firstly that over weight men are often tough, former sports men and are beer guzzlers where as woman  are seen as emotional eaters (Richard Glover. 2010). These statements can be justified for both ends of the argument. 

Today not much emphasis was placed on the Speedo I was wearing under the towel, more emphasis was placed on the padded beer belly. people who hadn't seen me already asked whether I was pregnant or just fat. Some called me Santa and asked to punch my stomach;this was one of 6 requests. My peers would often walk past and rub my stomach as though I was a Buddhist Statue. I felt very uncomfortable today carrying the beer belly around, and today was the first attempt at the toilet which was extremely strange. Sitting at the desk was also annoying because it felt like my stomach was hitting me in the face every time I lent over the keyboard. Bending over was also a bit of a squat and I found sucking in my stomach when moving in between gaps does not work anymore. This experience is, as suppose to be uncomfortable.

Rubbing Santa's Belly on the 15/03/2011 at 2:00pm  

                       

The Belly Upper Cut on the 15/03/2011 at 11:20am 

Day 1: The Unvealing

There is a strong argument against Speedos in society. Men are encouraged not invest in such revealing swim wear for the simple reason it does not compliment every ones body structure. Woman, men and children are encouraged especially in public to hold a certain appearance that is not in any way offending which the Speedo is apparently. Often athletic swimmers wear Speedos to allow a quicker motion in the pool but today swimmers wear full tight costumes that are more suited. Today men in great physical condition are encouraged to wear Speedos and its not for the physical dynamics. It is done purely for the sex appeal, it is small and show's off a lot (Entwistle, 2000:11).

Any form of nakedness is seen as in appropriate in any society (Entwistle, 2000:6). Often nakedness or any form of outside clothing is treated with exclusion(Entwistle, 2000:7). Dress codes don't have to be followed, rather applied in a decent manner(Entwistle, 2000:7). A rule which is often forgotten.

Greek and Judaic architecture placed a lot of emphasis on nakedness for the simple reason it represented a persons physical capabilities with regards to physical combat and labor work (Entwistle, 2000:8). Speedos today are out of fashion. They do not conform to what is seen as trendy, especially when a person has a big build (Entwistle, 2000:10). The body is not a biological base any more rather a social foundation (Entwistle, 2000:12). Individuals with bodies that are out of shape are often ridiculed and this often starts from when children are in Primary School.

Today I arrived at college conforming against the rules of society. I padded my stomach to form a "beer belly" and sported a Speedo with animal print, but i covered myself with a towel. Of course I was highly embarrassed and my fellow peers found it most amusing and humorous, often trying to pull my towel down. My parents as well as my brother, gran and domestic workers found it humorous as well and made it known that they expected nothing less from me with regards to the assignment topic. "The Body Un-Comfortable." My fellow peers who all keep up with society's trends begged me not remove the Speedo as it is not a pleasing sight, although found the thought of having one on under my towel really funny. There are people in this world that just like I did go against society regardless of their body shape to do what suit's them, which I personally think is amazing.

Today I avoided the outside world as I honestly looked embarrassing. Seen as this is a class assignment I stayed where people were in the same uncomfortable condition. Tomorrow is a new day that brings new reactions.

These images were taken before going to college this morning at 8:30 am on the 14/03/2011