Has anyone had this problem?

[Julie M.]

All my adult life I weighed between 140 and 150 (I'm 5'8"). A few times I dropped below that but that was because I was working like a dog and not eating. So I move from the blue collar world into the office and up goes the weight. It was gradual (over 5-6 years) but I topped out at 173#.

Finally, with the nagging of my son, we joined a health club. I was a swimmer in high school and knew this was what, if anything, I would do for excercise. Well the weight dropped off at the rate of about a pound a week until I hit 150 again. That's the good news.

Now the bad: swimming is mostly upper body and I have seen my chest and upper arms grow as the fat dropped off and the waist slimmed. Good news for me while en homme but bad news for me while en femme. Tops and jackets that fit the last time I was 150 are too small. Girls don't want to look barrell chested, at least not this girl.

I hate running and swimming is great for this 50+ body (low impact). I can't stand dieting because when I put myself on one all I think of is eating. The only activity I engage in that I rarely think of eating is dressing up , which is tough because there's still a young man in the house who is at that age where understanding is not possible .

What clothing can hide a large upper body? I just don't like the look of the new Julie, although I am happy I can fit once again on my old skirts.

[Virginia]

Julie,
As a powerlifter, I am right at 200 lbs. and I pass when I go out. I have purchased most of my blouses (silk) long sleeve, from EBay and they look great! I usually buy a 2X and have quite a nice wardrobe. The sleeves are not tight so with 18" arms they still don't show, now if you opt for 3/4 or short sleeves or no sleeves - well that's up to you! I have a couple of blouses that are see-through and one pullover blouse with kind of a net sleeve - very sexy and it looks great on me. I like short skirts too and seem to have the legs for them. I don't pretend to be one of those aneminic runway models - they look sickly to me anyway and most GG's don't fit that discription anyway. As for skirts, I always buy ones with elastic waist bands, but like I said a bit tight as I like my figure to show some! I guess what I am saying is find a style you are comfortable with and experiment with it. I can not wear a slip dress, but I would bet you can! I don't know ere you get your clothing, but I would recommend asking about a return policy, then take several different styles and/or sizes home and try them out! Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Love,
Deborah

[Beauty]

Hi Julie,

Good question.

Also, congrats on dropping 20 pounds!!!

Beauty

[Julie M.]

A 200 pound powerlifter who can pass? Wow! You have my utmost admiration. Now I'm just itching to see your pics.

I could learn a lot from you! Is it confidence? Mastery of illusion? All I know is the only time I passed I was about 130 lbs. and I was in a bar on Haloween. I used the ladies room all night and even when sharing with GGs no one made any comments or gave me any looks. I always figured everyone was drunk. I must have taken 50 pictures the other day to get that one for my avitar.

Thanks for the tips. I see a shopping mall on the horizon!

Julie

[Virginia]

Thanks Julie, but like a lot of my sisters - confidence! Dressing properly is a big part of it, but pride in appearance and walking with confidence seems to work best! I related this story earlier that I went to a movie one Friday night - it was really crowded, families, a lot of teens, etc. They had two policemen on duty and after I bought my ticket and headed for the entrance, the younger (rather cute one) stepped ahead of me and opened the door for me. I looked him straight in the eye and said "Thank you!" he smiled and said, "any time, honey!" I have played that over in my head I'll bet 100 times or more and I am convienced he was seriously flirting with me! At another movie "Cold Mountain" as I was leaving, tight knee length gray skirt and red silk blouse I walked past an "older" GG probably late 40's and she called me a "slut!" I smiled at her and kept on walking! Made my day!!!!
No brag but I think for a "bigger" girl I have a nice figure and that seems to help in the appearance as well as a confident walk and not over dressing. Deborah likes to look nice when she goes out so that is how we present ourselves. I am working on some pics, too.
Just keep your head up, walk proud and make Julie proud!
Love ya,
Deborah

[Julie M.]

Deborah,

Do powerlifters shave their bodies like body builders do?

Swimming has given me another obstacle to overcome - if I shave any part of my body it becomes pretty obvious once I am down to my swim suit. I have run through different scenarios in my head as to how I could do this but it's still going to be obvious no matter what I do. I have chest hair up to my neck, not thick, but still obvious. I am toying with saying I shaved to drop my times so I could enter a 50 and older event but I still am not fast enough for that to be believable, if anyone asks.

If you shave how do you handle it at the gym?

Thanks,
Julie

BTW I sent you a PM on an question not realted to CDing