Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lessons Learned from My 600-Pound Life

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Still from My 600-Pound Life, the Learning Channel.

Still from My 600-Pound Life, the Learning Channel.

I have been watching a lot of TV lately, mostly while breastfeeding my baby boy. Once I get the hang of this new and repeated activity, I can no doubt do something more productive while nursing, like reading collections of short stories. [Aside: I am currently obsessed with figuring out how to write short stories that aren’t total crap]. Back to TV: While lying prone in a hospital bed last week, recovering from surgery with a mewling newborn nestled on my chest, I began to watch random programs that I had never seen before, including one called My 600-Pound Life. My initial reaction was probably commonplace: fascination mixed with equal parts of horror and empathy. Continue reading →

My Love-Hate Relationship with Hot Yoga: Guest Post by Hissy Fit

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Back pain with that? Don't mind if I do!

Back pain with that? Don’t mind if I do!

“Why do I do this to myself?” I ask, not for the first time, as I attempt to stand in tree pose.  It’s not that I find hot yoga hard, but that I find it boring.  Or rather, boring AND hard. Continue reading →

Five Unsolicited Comments Made to a Pregnant Lady

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I'm walking as fast as I can!

I’m walking as fast as I can!

Pregnancy has not changed my life that much, so far. It has, however, attracted more than a few remarks from both acquaintances and strangers. My increasingly evident belly—I am scheduled to give birth by induction in only a few days—leads people to believe that they know something about me and my future. While I vowed not to blog too much about my “ladylike” pregnancy (i.e. it is conformist in a way that reminds me of Edwardian pantaloons), I have a few funny incidents that I cannot resist sharing with you. Continue reading →

Research Work Inspired by FFG: Guest Post by Airnel T. Abarra (MSc)

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Picture of the author.

Picture of the author at his graduation.

After taking my master’s degree at the University of the Philippines (College of Human Kinetics), I returned to the public school system where I am currently teaching. As I try to push for some reforms in the athletic training of track and field athletes, superiors do not endorse my views. According to the biblical concept, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” Because of this situation, I have decided to pursue PhD studies soon, focusing on the topic of bodybuilding. I was in high school when I first saw the Ms. Olympia competition on TV, becoming fascinated with women bodybuilders. Continue reading →

Against Tolerance

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I cannot really tolerate this guy.

I cannot really tolerate this guy.

The other day I received the following comment on a post called “Love of Labour Lost,” which I published on December 25, 2013. In the original post, I nastily rant against unfit people who are afraid of becoming “too muscular” by accident: Dear FFG, I really enjoy your blog and find your posts very satisfying to read, so first off, thank you! However, on the issue of bodybuilding, I must say that there seems to be a great deal of intolerance on the part of the athletes towards anyone who doesn’t agree with the aesthetic. I fully agree that the comments by the gym-goers who fear bulking up are ignorant and uninformed (and in very poor taste), but one’s body shape is a matter of personal preference. It is possible to achieve various healthy alternatives. I understand your point that there is a lack of appreciation for the hard work and time investment in achieving a muscular physique, but I find the lack of regard for someone else’s aesthetic quite jarring. Continue reading →