Meal Mentor

Is Vanity Sizing REAL?

I worked at a popular, semi-expensive retail clothing store as a student.

First day on the job, a woman asked for my help locating a size 8.

My coworker jumped between us and handed her a size 6.

“You’re too tiny for an 8,” she said.

Hesitantly, the woman went to the dressing room, but moments later, we heard a joyful shriek:

“OMG they fit!”

She burst through the curtains to show me, twirling like a schoolgirl…

euphoric as a new bride…

Never mind that the burgundy corduroy pants looked positively dreadful on her skin tone.

“I love this store,” she said to another customer.

I admit the size of clothes affects me. It shouldn’t, but it does.

But it’s also fake.

A trick to get you to buy burgundy corduroy ;)

My coworker later said to me, “A size 8 is a size 6 here. Helps them buy.”

There’s another downside to these size shenanigans.

A member shared recently:

“I'm always reading things like "I've lost 10 lbs and 2 sizes". I lose 37 and wear the same size. Really?!? No. This is what happened - my clothes got tight and I bought new clothes. Miraculously, the new clothes were the same size of the tight clothes but I didn't question it because I didn't want to buy the next size. There is only one logical explanation - the clothing industry has redefined the clothing sizes to keep women like me from admitting the truth all the while gaining more and more weight.”

Then other members chimed in with similar experiences…

“I have a dress/gown that I wore back in 99 that was tight on me then (even though I was about 20ish pounds heavier) but it should be really loose on me today if sizes didn't change.” - Amy B

“I used to wear size 9 back when I was in high school in the late 70s, but that translates to a size 2 or 4 now. When I weighed 120 about 10 or so years ago, that was a size 14 then, but it's a size 6 now.” - Doris S.

I had my own experience recently with clothes I wore in high school 20 years ago.

I’m the same height and weight, and the clothes still fit, but the sizes are 8-14, whereas now I’m in a 0 or 2 in those stores.

Have you experienced vanity sizing?

If so please leave a comment below.

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Explaining a Lifestyle Change to Loved Ones Podcast (+ More Traveling Tips!)

A new Meal Mentor podcast is ready for you!

In this episode, Katie (my copilot) returns to talk about vacationing on a whole foods plant-based diet, explaining a lifestyle change to loved ones, and shopping for new clothes during weight loss!

Katie also shares her tips for eating healthy while traveling, why she didn't realize how unhealthy she used to be, plus much more about making the plant-based lifestyle more doable!

P.S. Do you love listening to the podcast? Show your support by leaving a review on iTunes.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!

Are you FED UP with other people commenting on your diet?

I bet these sound familiar:

“Plants feel pain too, ya know…”

“Oh, I could NEVER stop eating meat [cheese, eggs, oil, etc]!”

“You’re not fun to hang out with anymore since you stopped eating [insert non-plant based food].”

“Why aren’t you sharing this queso appetizer with us? C’mon just a bite won’t hurt you!”

or, everyone’s “favorite”:

“How do you know you’re getting enough PROTEIN?”

Sigh.

Whether the person asking is genuinely curious or they are purposely trying to ruffle your feathers, it can get old… REALLY fast.

Sometimes you just want to eat your Asian Tofu Salad Sandwich in peace, right?!

Whether it’s a friend, co-worker, or some random people you’ve encountered, it’s important to remember:

Negative comments are often a reflection of THEIR insecurities.

Your choices act as a mirror, and they didn’t like what they see…

So they tear down and attack your choices to feel better about their own.

If someone is COMPLETELY satisfied and secure with their choices and lifestyle…

...they wouldn’t need to attack you or criticize.

After all, you’re not asking them to explain or defend what they are eating!

There’s also a comfort in conformity… and you’ve rocked the boat!

They feel the need to pressure you to sit back down and conform.

Don’t give in, but don’t argue your lifestyle, either.

A great neutralizer is, “I’m experimenting right now.” Or “This seems to be working for me, so I’m going to keep with it for now.”

REASSURE an unsupportive friend that you are NOT trying to change them.

Reassure them that you are NOT going to force your choice on them either.

Your change is unsettling for them. They feel defensive… They feel judged...

They think you’re trying to take their favorite steakhouse from them!

TELL THEM YOU AREN’T.

Don’t engage—you’re not going to change their mind right then so why waste the energy?

LIVE and LOVE your lifestyle! Don’t argue your lifestyle!

If you’re happy, loving what you’re eating and THRIVING, you won’t even have to open your mouth!

The changes in you will speak for themselves!

You know that what you are doing is right—and that’s all that matters!

Keep rocking!

P.S. This newsletter was born out of a terrific thread in the member forums. I love having that community of people who get me, get you, and truly understand what it’s like to live in a world with a totally different agenda.

In that spirit, if you have tips or advice for dealing with unsupportive family and friends

Please leave it in the comments below.

Plant-Based Travel & Vacation Hacks Podcast

A new Meal Mentor podcast is ready for you!

Feel like you're "Missing Out" on fun times because of your diet? Don't miss this podcast! Alicia (my copilot!) shares her tips for eating healthy in hotel rooms, how she lost 2-pounds on vacation, and the lifestyle differences coast-to-coast.

This former Herbie of the Week (you can read her story here) also has brilliant advice to save the $30 you would have on a dinner doing a fun activity on your trip instead!

P.S. Do you love listening to the podcast? Show your support by leaving a review on iTunes.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!

Is perfection getting in the way?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step…

But damn if that first step isn’t the hardest to take!

Change is OVERWHELMING.

Being new at anything is uncomfortable.

When I first went plant-based, I felt like there were 10,000 things I needed to remember…

...and every time I turned around, there was SOMETHING ELSE to learn.

I felt like throwing in the towel—"It’s just too much. I give up!"

Or more recently when I was moving…

I put off packing ANYTHING for days because I didn’t know where to start…

I loaded myself up with excuses too, like… “tomorrow I’ll have more energy…”

OR… “maybe I should get all the boxes and tape and stuff I need first.”

But really I just needed to pick up ONE item, stick it in a box, and get the ball rolling.

TAKE THAT FIRST STEP.

Which builds momentum to help make the next steps easier.

If you can’t get all the items on the list… If you can’t batch cook before the next plan is out… If work and life are 80-hour crazy…

That’s OKAY.

Start with ONE meal.

Or even just a bag of rice.

Buy the ingredients for that meal (or buy the rice).

And then make it. (It doesn’t even have to be the same day.)

You just need to start. START building momentum, making unfamiliar FAMILIAR.

There is never a “good” time to make a change.

The best time to start is always right now.

If you wait for all the stars to align, it’ll never happen…

And when it rains, it pours…

So practice bailing out water now…

When it’s sunny (or kinda sunny) so you’re more prepared for the storm.

In other words, start developing good habits and routines NOW so when the shiitakes really hit the fan, you’re equipped to handle that situation better and you don’t slide down so hard.

Remember: Progress NOT Perfection is our motto.

So what the hello kitty are you waiting for?

Get started RIGHT NOW.

Ask Lindsay Anything Podcast

A new Meal Mentor Podcast is ready for you!

In this very special birthday episode, I sit down with Scott to answer your questions on topics ranging from pet peeves to pet names. I also share my secrets about recipes I dislike, how to stay positive, and how I plan to celebrate my special day.

P.S. Do you love listening to the podcast? Show your support by leaving a review on iTunes.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!