what IF: I stripped down for a good cause?

by Marzipan on July 21, 2010 · 53 comments

Yep. You read that right. And today’s What If Wednesday is a major, major, major one, because this week is the deadline for a project I have been working up the bravery for, oh, since I was asked to take part. And I’m really effing nervous.

I mentioned in Sunday’s Body Loving Blogosphere that you all should run on over and check out the Blogger Body Calendar, in part because it is a FANTASTIC project, but also because I’m going to be a part of it. Now, this 2011 calendar will feature a slew of amazing other bloggers - Guilty Squid, Pixielation, My Bottle’s Up, Parenting By Dummies, Toy With Me, Outnumbered, Attack of The Redneck Mommy, Accidental Musings [the calendar mastermind herself], Pajamas and Coffee, Late Enough, and The Bloggess.

Have I yet impressed upon you the pressure I am feeling about taking this calendar photo?

::um. THE BLOGGESS?!!?:: That is all.

So here’s the scoop. I was the first person to say yes to this project, you know when it was a LITTLE project, and I was all, yeah! I love my body! SURE! I don’t mind stripping down for a good cause.

Famous last words.

Now, as I’ve already admitted to you on probably too many occasions, being a “body image blogger” does NOT keep me from suffering the terrible pitfalls of diminished self esteem. It does, however, force me to zone in on, examine, write about, and do all of the myriad of things that make me very, very nervous. I do these things because first and foremost, I know that I OUGHT to, that is is the RIGHT thing to do, and that I WILL thank myself for it later. [I'm like that annoying mom that forces you to eat your vegetables and take swimming lessons no matter how much water you get up your nose or how revolting you find the public pool.]

I believe firmly in pulling myself up by my bootstraps when I start becoming a bit of a downer – you know, whiney, bratty, and with a bad attitude.

So today, I’m pulling myself up by my theoretical bootstraps. I’m gathering mass quantities of drift wood, and I WILL recreate the Hilda image that you all can see in the header of Medicinal Marzipan. In case you’re new here and you’ve been wondering all this time who the heck that woman is in the header, her name is Hilda and she is the first ever plus-size pin-up cartoon drawn by Duane Bryers in the mid sixties. I think that she is adorable. Thus, I’m going to look like this:

Except – MORE DRIFTWOOD and less skin? Please? Pretty please?? My photographer just texted me and told me NO, absolutely NO bathing suit because it will ruin the picture. We will see about that.

Now I talk quite a bit about loving your body no matter what, and I will tell you Marzipanlings – I am walking the walk today. I am summoning every single droplet of strength and courage and bravery that I have and I am going to defeat the voice that keeps saying: You’re so fat and gross, no one wants to see you in a picture like that. Your stomach is so pale. Your thighs are too dimpled. No one wants to buy a calendar with you in it. You are ridiculous.

For today, I am firmly shouting over that voice – You are beautiful. This is an amazing cause. Your photo is going to be EPIC.

What brave things have you done this week?

Pretty please support this effort by LOVING us on facebook.

Tagged as: blogger body calendar, body image, fear, what if wednesday

Shannon

You can do it!!! You’ll look beautiful!

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

Thanks Shannon!! I am a little nervous, but very, very excited… EEK!

http://www.biggirlbombshell.com Jules – Big Girl Bombshell

I LOVE Hilda!!!!! You go girl…Honor that bombshell within!
Jules – Big Girl Bombshell recently posted..Garden Lesson- What I take for granted

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She’s awesome isn’t she? I love it when people already know who she is, because I totally fell head over heels with her as an icon the moment I came across her photos. She’s the perfect blend of awkward and confident.

http://www.mybottlesup.com nic @mybottlesup

you rock my face off.

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

I can absolutely not WAIT to see your photo. This whole project is so exciting : )

http://thegigglybits.com Rita @ The Giggly Bits

My Hero. Really. I’m not at the more driftwood stage.

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

Honestly – I’m not sure that I am either. But, I kind of just closed my eyes and did it and hoped that it turned out ok. Haha. ::fingerscrossed::

http://notveryprofessional.blogspot.com Angela

I love Hilda and you for doing this! So brave and so awesome. Bravest thing I’ve done this week is purchased a new puppy and fought with my mother about it. Which since I’m 33 is absolutely ridiculous. Can’t wait to see the calendar!
Angela recently posted..The Master Bedroom

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That’s awesome! What kind of dog did you get?

http://notveryprofessional.blogspot.com Angela

A Yorkie/Shitzu cross. Just posted a picture of him. So minor in terms of your awesomeness today and what I’m sure is a beyond fabulous photo!
Angela recently posted..The Master Bedroom

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posted where? I didn’t see it on your blog. maybe twitter? I’mma cyber stalk you : )

http://sweetmercifulcrapandotherthings.blogspot.com/ Queen Momma

If you’re half as beautiful on the outside as you are within YOU GO GIRL!! (too sappy?) ….
Queen Momma recently posted..My Trash BUCKET LIST

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Oh geeeeez. NEVER! (I got your comment right before the shoot and I was ELATED.)

http://appilogue.blogspot.com Jenelle

Go you! I’m sure you’re going to look amazing.

I love the obvious confidence in Hilda’s walk/The pep in her step.
Jenelle recently posted..Shake-Shake-Shake

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Yeah, the pep in the step was really what got me too. Though, I will say, having pep in your step when walking with that much driftwood was NOT easy. I have a brand spanking new appreciation for models. They do not sit around looking hot all day long – they do the same thing repeatedly until their limbs are about to fall off, not as easy as it looks! Thanks so much for stopping by!

http://www.lateenough.com Alex@LateEnough

Your picture is going to be AWESOME. And I’m terrified for my photo shoot next wednesday. AHHH!!!
Alex@LateEnough recently posted..I Even Got Scared While Writing This Also Known As Why I Don’t Camp

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EEEP! Good luck!! You are going to be awesome, I just know it. Can’t wait to meet up at blogger once all the photos are submitted and we can laugh about all this anxiety ; )

http://mom-nom.com Tiffany

Unless the driftwood built a raft, that I could stand behind and peep my head around – I would never be able to do it. That being said, you’ll be my super hero of the year if you do. And I’ll totally pimp you out all over the internet talking about how bad ass you are. xoxo
Tiffany recently posted..In Which I Tell Satan to Go to Hell

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HA. You know? That drift wood was effing HEAVY. My arms nearly fell off as the photographer said “ok now go back and do it again” 75 kazillion times. And it cut me. All over. LUCKILY I don’t have any unfortunate splinters, that would be a real shame. But I did it – but, let me tell you, I found as much driftwood as I possibly could and LOADED it up into my arms. [And then closed my eyes, prayed for some bravery, and the strength to not care about the size of my thighs or the roll in my stomach and embrace all of my flaws completely.]

thenextmartha

I am rooting for you. I know it will be fabulous.

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

thanks so much for stopping by : ) I really appreciate the support, always, but especially today!!

http://zenlizzie.wordpress.com zenLizzie

That is so exciting!!!! I’m sure it is going to be awesome. Thanks for telling me what to google to find more plus sized pin ups too
btw, the body blogger calendar link opened up wonky for me. I had to change the link in my browser to make it work.
zenLizzie recently posted..Fresh Garden Salsa and Pico de Gallo

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Maaaan. I know, but I finally fixed it so I’m ::hoping:: that the problem has resolved itself. Thanks so very much for bringing it to my attention! I’m always teetering on the brink of techyfail. Haha. And you should totally google plus size pin ups, they can be so inspiring, especially if you have difficulty feeling sexy as a plus sized person [I know I do]. Good luck : )

http://s.rvxn.org sui

that is awesome! wish I had known about it so I could’ve gotten involved. I have an exciting project of my own coming up…
sui recently posted..you answered- &amp I listened!

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I know! How are sales for the book coming? Would you be perhaps interested in doing an interview to coincide with your release date? I would love to send some readers and cashmoneylove your way. Send me an email if you’re up for it? I’d love that.

http://www.certifiablyfit.com/blog CertifiablyFit

As scary as this might seem I’m sure you will be fine and feel really accomplished once you see the final result. Sounds like a worthy project!

As far as how I have been brave this week, well I launched my own training site on monday. After many months of preparing I finally too the plunge and opened my own business. Am I scared? Sure am but still proud as can be cause I am reaching a goal I have had for a long time.

Good luck with your photo shoot!
CertifiablyFit recently posted..5 Ways to Clean Up Your Diet

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I checked out that training site when you launched it! It’s looking really good : ) I’m so proud that you put yourself out there like that! I just know that you will be so successful. It must feel amazing to have finally launched it! Good luck!!

http://100daysinbed.blogspot.com 100 days in bed

If you do it, I will add it to my Adventure Bowl!!!!!

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

I did it! I did it! And I won’t lie, I’m rather proud of it…

Kayla J

Such beautiful, wonderful, brave soul you are.
Kayla J recently posted..Austin Appreciation

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Thank you Kayla, I really, truly, honestly appreciate your love and support. It makes a world of difference.. It kind of blows me away actually, so thank you for that.

http://voiceinrecovery.wordpress.com/ Kendra (Voice in Recovery)

I am so proud of you. I would LOVE to be a part of that as well!!!
Kendra (Voice in Recovery) recently posted..“Health” and Meaning- What Are We Saying

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Kendra! It would be wonderful if you took part! I think that this year they are mainly looking for people to write about the project (once the sale pages are all set up and all that business) and sell calendars on their websites, BUT I feel very confident that this will become a yearly project… Perhaps next year we will all be encouraging your to get naked and take some body loving photos! xox.

http://cathy-cox.blogspot.com Cathy

OMG, I read this and cried (in a GOOD way)! You are amazing…I know you’ll go through with it, and I will be so so so proud and I know I don’t even know you! But I know that voice, and I KNOW how hard she is to overcome, and wow…just..wow. You make me smile

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

Welp. I nearly cried even just reading this comment (in a good way – ha) so THANK YOU from the very bottom of my heart for your pride in my achievements. It took a lot to get to this point, and I am seriously grateful every single day that I can love myself and that I don’t have to live entirely eclipsed by fear and self loathing anymore. Thanks for stopping by : )

http://www.idratherbecrafting.blogspot.com @LastMinuteMandy

That’s the very first thing I noticed about your blog – and might have been one of the first things I said to you – that I LOVED Hilda. Your picture will be amazing. I just know it. You are already brave, and endearing, and just as wonderful as Hilda – the picture will only show the rest of us those truths.

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

Hilda is amazing isn’t she? I completely relate to her clumsy, carefree sexiness. I like how she always looks like she’s about to fall down a flight of stairs, but just doesn’t care. (And you know she’ll just pick herself right back up, giggle, and go on about her day merrily.) Thank you!

http://toywithme.com toywithme

Work it girl! You’re going to look amazing!!! My shoot is on Sunday and every time I think about it … I pee a little in my panties
toywithme recently posted..Aunt Becky Makes A Porno

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YOU ARE GOING TO BE AMAZING. Seriously. A hotter calendar has never been created in all of time. I truly believe that. Good luck and thank you SO much for stopping by!

http://www.honormyhealth.com Christie {Honoring Health}

You are going to be amazing! You are smokin’ hot (which is why you are my secret girl crush;)). I can’t wait to buy the calendar!

http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com admin

haha! Christie! I love being your secret girl crush. It provides me with endless opportunities for giggling and blushing. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. xoxo.

http://www.halfofjess.com Jess

Your photo is going to be EPIC! You know it!

I am super proud of you for being brave, confident and courageous by putting yourself out there, in the buff. That’s fully loving every inch of yourself (perfections and flaws alike).

Marzipan, you can do this! It’s for a good cause, both for others and for you personally. Embrace your beauty and let yourself shine!

What brave thing have I done this week? Stepped on the scale and not beat myself up, and then realize that HEY, slipping into funks are a normal part of life but I can get myself out too!
Jess recently posted..Weigh-in 21- Dear Jess Pt 3
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http://www.pajamasandcoffee.com marymac

I am honored to be a part of this calendar with you. I LOVE the cartoon and can’t wait to see your version.

YOU. WILL. BE. EPIC.
xoxo
http://distractiblejane.blogspot.com Jane

Good luck! You’ll look fantastic. I can’t wait to see the calendar. Does that sound pervy? I don’t mean for that to sound pervy…
http://www.julie-parker.com.au Julie

Wow! Seriously – brava to you. Enjoy it – in 40 years time you will look back with wonderment and awe at how incredible you are.
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