Also, I'm not from North America, I'm from Australia! Our fat acceptance movement is small, but growing, we're trying really hard to grow a bigger presence :D

I'm french, and here in France we don't have any “Health at every size” or “Fat acceptance” movements. So it's really hard to explain to people that you can be fat and feel fine (well in fact I do not feel fine personnally, but I know that getting thin won't make feel better either…)

North American websites like yours are my only sources of support.

HRMagoo.com

Learn to sew!

1)Take a beginners class.
2)Buy a cheap sewing machine.
3)Practice a bit on stuff you don't care so much about- like what would have gone in the drop off box or into a yard sale.
4) Make a customized dressmaker's dummy of yourself with plasic wrap and duct-tape for next to nothing (there's a Youtube vid to show you how.)
5)You can find other great tips, tricks, and tutorials on Youtube and elsewhere.

When you feel confident (which won't take long! ) bring new life to your old once beloved garments. You can make your old favorites new again and even more unique and beautiful. You can look wonderful wearing them again and feel great about your accomplishment. People ask me where I bought this or that constantly and have tried to pay me to make them clothes- which I won't do. I tell them the same thing I'm telling you. Teach someone to fish is the way I look at it.

You'll also realize how easy and fun it is to make clothes in general. Your imagination is your only limit. You'll never spend big money on inferior cloth, poor design, bad fit or shoddy workmanship again. You'll keep that money to pamper yourself in other ways or start up some of those dream projects you have on hold. Before you say “I don't have time to sew!” You do have time. I spend less time making a new dress/top/skirt/pants that I love than I used to spend shopping for stuff that I sort of liked that sort of fit me. My biggest regret is that I waited so long in life to learn. How I wish I'd known how in school. I made sure my daughter and son didn't make my mistake. They both learned early and both LOVE to sew. We now have three sewing machines in the house and might need a fourth one soon since my husband has taken an interest. No I don't sew for him either. I did teach him how to thread a machine.

Favorite healthy snacks?
1)Raw or home roasted almonds
2)Celery sticks with hummus
Desserts?
1)No fat yoghurt with fresh fruit mixed in and/or drizzled with honey.
2)Tofu maple chocolate mousse- Silk textured tofu, dry cocoa powder to taste, a couple drops to a dash of vanilla extract. Food processor or blender. Sweeten with maple syrup to taste. Spoon into fancy glasses, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate. Garnish top or side of glass with fresh mint, strawberries etc. Delicious and perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.

Learn to sew!

1)Take a beginners class.
2)Buy a cheap sewing machine.
3)Practice a bit on stuff you don't care so much about- like what would have gone in the drop off box or into a yard sale.
4) Make a customized dressmaker's dummy of yourself with plasic wrap and duct-tape for next to nothing (there's a Youtube vid to show you how.)
5)You can find other great tips, tricks, and tutorials on Youtube and elsewhere.

When you feel confident (which won't take long! ) bring new life to your old once beloved garments. You can make your old favorites new again and even more unique and beautiful. You can look wonderful wearing them again and feel great about your accomplishment. People ask me where I bought this or that constantly and have tried to pay me to make them clothes- which I won't do. I tell them the same thing I'm telling you. Teach someone to fish is the way I look at it.

You'll also realize how easy and fun it is to make clothes in general. Your imagination is your only limit. You'll never spend big money on inferior cloth, poor design, bad fit or shoddy workmanship again. You'll keep that money to pamper yourself in other ways or start up some of those dream projects you have on hold. Before you say “I don't have time to sew!” You do have time. I spend less time making a new dress/top/skirt/pants that I love than I used to spend shopping for stuff that I sort of liked that sort of fit me. My biggest regret is that I waited so long in life to learn. How I wish I'd known how in school. I made sure my daughter and son didn't make my mistake. They both learned early and both LOVE to sew. We now have three sewing machines in the house and might need a fourth one soon since my husband has taken an interest. No I don't sew for him either. I did teach him how to thread a machine.

Favorite healthy snacks?
1)Raw or home roasted almonds
2)Celery sticks with hummus
Desserts?
1)No fat yoghurt with fresh fruit mixed in and/or drizzled with honey.
2)Tofu maple chocolate mousse- Silk textured tofu, dry cocoa powder to taste, a couple drops to a dash of vanilla extract. Food processor or blender. Sweeten with maple syrup to taste. Spoon into fancy glasses, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate. Garnish top or side of glass with fresh mint, strawberries etc. Delicious and perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.