Dieting Like It's 1953

Growing out of my clothes has been quite upsetting. I used to have no problem finding vintage clothes that would fit, but as I've gotten older, things have shifted and spread. It also used to be very easy to drop a few pounds. Now, though, it takes me a week to drop even one pound, and only a couple days to put it back on. I know I need to make permanent changes. I find this difficult for a couple reasons. One, by the time I get home, I'm pretty tired, and really don't like cooking, or cleaning up afterward. Two, I have one major food sensitivity, which makes it hard to add a variety of tastes onto my plate. 

I started thinking about how people ate 60 years ago. I'm sure the portions were a lot smaller than they are now. Matter of fact, one thing I learned trying to count my calories over the last few weeks is how small a serving size is. We tend to eat two or three servings sizes per item. Looking back through my old magazines, I found several articles on how to loose weight. Many reduce a day's calorie intake to 1200 for women. This is actually what My Fitness Pal told me I should be taking in if I want to loose a pound a week. Now, I assume that since I walk about three miles a day, that I could have a bit of wiggle room - but not much.

I also noticed that there weren't any snacks in these plans. Some of the meals were pretty large, though. So, maybe that keeps one full longer. I thought I'd give it a try. I took pieces from three different meal plans, changing things that I either couldn't eat (gluten), or don't like (liver, lamb, etc.). I created an eight day meal plan all just under 1200 calories - that way I have a bit of room if something comes up. I am curious to see how I fair under this plan.




Another thing I have often chuckled at, is the exercise that these magazines promote. Often, they are silly things like massaging facial muscles, or doing crazy stretches, not actual exercises. I wondered if people didn't need to exercise, or they just didn't know how to. Compared to today's intense workouts, these older work outs seem tame. But, again, as I was looking through these magazines, some of the exercises they promote don't seem that different than the ones today. I thought it can't hurt to try, right? So, starting Monday (gives me time to go grocery shopping), I am going to follow a vintage style meal plan, and do these exercises every night. I am hoping to see some improvement in the fit of my clothes. If all goes well, and I can stick to this plan, I will let you all know how it went.









8 comments:

  1. great scans!

    i can totally feel you as i recently had quite a weight gain myself... i hate cooking and love fast food, but also used to kinda starve myself so i had a super-skinny phase that coincided with intense vintage buying some 2 years ago.

    in the end all my friends say i look better/healthier now, so i should just try and watch out for not gaining more.

    in france the portions are super small, that should make things easier.

    it's really shocking not to be able to fit in stuff anymore...

    good luck with your diet!

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    1. Thanks. I guess as we age, we have to work harder. :(

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  2. Good luck with your vintage diet. I too have been in a major struggle with my weight the last few years and as you said getting older makes it all so much harder. I don't think those old exercises look too easy no cardio but they say that you need to build muscle to burn fat at rest so the more you can work those muscles up the more you get to burn just sitting down. I would throw in something for arms and shoulders like tricep dips (use a chair and drop down and back up) push ups and maybe lift some soup cans. For legs try some lunges.

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  3. I am nominating you for the Liebster Award. (If you have been nominated before I apologize.) If you would like to participate please check out my post with the rules and link back to me. If you have already participated previously and would like to bow out this time I would still love to read your answers as it can be a fun way to get to know other bloggers so send me your link to your answers. I Look forward to hearing from you!

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    1. Thanks, dear. I have been nominated before, but I doubt anyone actually read it. :) I know nobody answered the questions I sent forward. I don't mind answering questions again.

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  4. Unfortunately a major factor that most people tend to forget is the chemical crap that is in most of our food these days!

    Back then, food was more in its pure state, especially if it was fresh, and I think that is why women were able to have such great figures due to the fact that there wasn't a ton of chemicals causing people to feel the need to over eat or eat bad things.

    Its definitely hard living in a chemical world these days, especially when weight issues are genetically in your family.

    Am anxious to hear the results of your experiment!

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    1. I agree. It's a big reason why many of us have food sensitivities and allergies. All the hormones and crap that goes into our food isn't healthy for us. I am sure that's why each generation is getting taller and bigger. Women back then had such small frames compared to women now. Even a thin girl these days can rarely fit into a common 24" waist garment from the 50s.

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  5. I have a huge problem finding vintage clothing that fits. I weigh 120 but I'm crazy busty (which I hate), as well as short; a combined problem that basically puts my underbust and waist at the same level!
    The whole tiny waist issue of the 50's always reminds me of Scarlet O'Hara and her corset. We don't usually wear waist shapers anymore; which is probably healthier, but not useful for vintage shopping! ;)

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