It's Easy to Feel Fat

It's so easy to feel fat in China.

Yes, I'm losing. I'm excited... BUT.. I'm still in a country where the women average about 5'3 and weigh 100 lbs. They are almost all tiny. The whole time I've been here, I've only seen ONE fat Chinese woman. Sure, there are some that are rounder than others... but still not FAT. The clothes don't even go up to my size; anywhere. Shoes don't fit. Bus seats are a really tight squeeze. And the kids at my school, bless their hearts, run up to me and say "You are big! You are big!". I know they are just trying to use their English; they often smile kindly when they say it. But still, it stings.
One thing that's really hit me since I got to China? The people all look so different from each other. Don't get offended or anything; but honestly, I was worried that I'd confuse new friends and stuff. I've never been to a country where almost everyone has the same hair color, same eye color. I had no reason to be worried; theyare as different from each other as people in the US. I don't confuse anyone with anyone else. They have their own unique styles. The women here are so trendy! They all wear leggings and dresses. Lots of high heels or ballet flats. If I was only packing 110 lbs, I'd wear stilettos too! I was hiking up the stairs of a huge mountain the other day, huffing and puffing. I heard someone murmer something in Chinese. I moved over; and here comes a young woman, about 5ft tall, with a dress and stiletto heels on. She just scurried right up the stairs and dissapeared around the corner. Meanwhile, Amy is taking a break against a tree, trying to remember to breathe.
It's a hard knock life for us weight-strugglers. Even on the other side of the world, I'm tempted by candy bars and ice cream. I'm going to start sharing my menu on this blog again; it might be interesting for you, and good for me to keep track. Beware, though; sometimes I don't have the faintest idea WHAT it is that I'm eating :)

So.... today:

Breakfast: 1 cup congee and 1/2 steamed bun (Congee is rice porridge with red beans mixed in)
lunch: 1/2 cup white rice, 1/4 cup steamed bamboo, 1/4 cup cabbage, and 1/2 cup baby potato/beef stew
dinner: 1/2 cup white rice, 1/4 cup bok choy, 1/4 cup cold zucchini salad, 1/3 cup beef stew
snacks: oops... ice cream. One container (maybe 1 cup?) coffee/vanilla swirl. Not even that good!)

I think I'll split a pear with the hubby tonight too. That's what most days are like; congee for breakfast, rice and veggies, a little meat, more veggies... honestly, the stew isn't mostly eaten anyway. The meat is on huge bones, and it's really fatty. I usually glean 5 or 6 bites of meat from it; but the potatoes are heavenly!

I'm hoping the scale still says 210 in the morning; I don't wanna go up! I can see it... 11 more lbs, and I will be OUT of this 200-something prison I've been locked in!!