Dieting practices of women in the 1950s & '40s?

[Skari Spice]

Hi! I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m a new member who is now glued to this forum, heh.

I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m curious about the dieting practices of women in the 1950s and back. I love the pre-feminism idea that housewives must be beautiful and trim at all times for their husbands, handing him a martini as soon as he walks in the door from a hard day?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s work. But what were some of the routines that women followed to lose weight or keep weight off back then? (I know that cigarettes and diet pills were common.) I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve been looking online for books or articles on the topic and I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m unable to find anything. Care to share your knowledge and thoughts?

[Naama]

I love the pre-feminism idea that housewives must be beautiful and trim at all times for their husbands, handing him a martini as soon as he walks in the door from a hard day?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s work.

Well, if there's something I don't like about the "good old days" that's the second point on top of my list!


Naama

[Marc Chevalier]

Bulimia existed, but wasn't talked about. Fad diets (and flat chests and hips, not coincidentally) first became very popular in the 1920s. With corsets out of fashion, women lost an effective (if breathless) "artificial slimming aid".

[MissQueenie]

Many women of my grandmother's generation were prescribed amphetamines by their doctors as a way of helping women keep up with the work of caring for a large family. This was euphemistically referred to as "mother's little helper" and in addition to keeping women energetic, it was also a very effective appetite suppressant (and unhealthy!). Smoking also suppresses the appetite.

Better than Beauty: A Guide to Charm has dieting advice from the 1930s, along with exercises intended to keep off extra pounds. The book also offers eating advice for women who are too thin.

Also bear in mind that women of the golden era were often tightly girdled, which would have compressed and smoothed the figure.

[Marc Chevalier]

One Depression-era diet: 5-cent apples and near-starvation.

[Skari Spice]

Many women of my grandmother's generation were prescribed amphetamines by their doctors as a way of helping women keep up with the work of caring for a large family. This was euphemistically referred to as "mother's little helper" and in addition to keeping women energetic, it was also a very effective appetite suppressant (and unhealthy!). Smoking also suppresses the appetite.

Yeah! My mother-in-law was actually prescribed cigarettes in the 50s. Wow.

[Dis]

I do believe some people still wore a form of corset in the 20s. MY grandmother talked of wearing one to get that 'flat' look that was so popular then. She had been very well endowed.

I think the 'thin' image is one that we get from films of the era. Back then to get into movies, women had to stand in front of a chart which told how exactly what proportions they needed. Did you notice how much alike women were shaped in the movies?

I like the idea of being beautiful for my husband but I never had that ideal figure. I'm just not built that way. Instead of the martini he gets a mocha coffee or tea.:D

[Tin Pan Sally]

I went right to the source for that answer:
I'm told the Poverty Diet was the most common means of controling ones weight. That, and home cooked meals from scratch (pre-TV dinner).
Oh, and those lovely girdles.

[AtomicBlonde]

Yeah! My mother-in-law was actually prescribed cigarettes in the 50s. Wow.

My grandmothers and a friend of hers were prescribed camels in the 50's for calming the nerves.
She still smokes... but at least now its ultra lights. :rolleyes: we struck up a conversation about it once when she was admiring my cigarette case, and couldnt believe I smoked lucky strikes.

-jess

[mysterygal]

Maybe it was later than what I was thinking, but, looking at old pictures it seemed women were meant to be much 'curvier' than the fashion norm these days...although, a lot of actresses are starting to put on some pounds too :hamburger

[Skari Spice]

Maybe it was later than what I was thinking, but, looking at old pictures it seemed women were meant to be much 'curvier' than the fashion norm these days

I definitely notice the extreme hourglass figure in 1950s actresses like Marilyn and Rita. They have large breasts, large hips, and teeeenytiny waists. Must've been the corsets, but dang! When trying on vintage dresses, it's almost always the waist that gives me the problem. No matter how much I suck it in, it! won't! zip! :eek:

~Kari

[mysterygal]

Exactly what I noticed, which it would be interesting how they did it cause usually if you have a big chest with ample thighs.....you've got ample waist as well, .....maybe it's all that hoola hooping:)

[Tin Pan Sally]

Ladies used to wear padding on the hips and even abdomin with peplum styles. That would never fly now.

[decodoll]

Ladies used to wear padding on the hips and even abdomin with peplum styles. That would never fly now.

I think I'll stick with my girdle....

[LolitaHaze]

Hi! I’m a new member who is now glued to this forum, heh.

I’m curious about the dieting practices of women in the 1950s and back. I love the pre-feminism idea that housewives must be beautiful and trim at all times for their husbands, handing him a martini as soon as he walks in the door from a hard day’s work. But what were some of the routines that women followed to lose weight or keep weight off back then? (I know that cigarettes and diet pills were common.) I’ve been looking online for books or articles on the topic and I’m unable to find anything. Care to share your knowledge and thoughts?

I too like that ideal and would love to be Donna Reed. :)

I wish my scanner worked. :( I just recieved a few Ladies Home Journals from the 40's that show some exercises to slim the waist.

[Annalai]

Hi all,

Read this article.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1027942004

Annalai

[Lauren]

That's why Audrey Hepurn thought she was scrawney. Edith Head hated designing for her in the beginning because of her waif-like figure. Back then, being skinny was just as bad as being overweight! I have a reprint of a book from the late 30's that prescribes a cup of hot chocolate a night to the girl who is too thin. I have books from the 50's that target the "too thin" too. It's really funny how things change! Aside from the 20's and early 30's, women always wanted to have a figure!

I have seen patterns on occasion for the "pads" spoken of earlier. Kind of like hip or butt pads. Fredrick's actually sells them still. Some 50's is a nightmare for me to pull off.

[Plum]

Portion sizes were also smaller than they are now.

[RetroModelSari]

That's why Audrey Hepurn thought she was scrawney. Edith Head hated designing for her in the beginning because of her waif-like figure. Back then, being skinny was just as bad as being overweight! I have a reprint of a book from the late 30's that prescribes a cup of hot chocolate a night to the girl who is too thin. I have books from the 50's that target the "too thin" too. It's really funny how things change! Aside from the 20's and early 30's, women always wanted to have a figure!

I have seen patterns on occasion for the "pads" spoken of earlier. Kind of like hip or butt pads. Fredrick's actually sells them still. Some 50's is a nightmare for me to pull off.

Yeah, I have some beauty books, too that have some diets to gain weight. At least that seemed more usual than trying to loose weight... I have something from a old mag though. If I remember it I can scan that one ;-)

P.s.: Jiphie I have the average waist from back than!!!

[AllaboutEve]

You can read such differing accounts as to how much we have changed our habits and our shape.


I don't know what the food situation was like in the U.S during the war years but Britain had a really bad deal of it and rationing continued into the 50's. This probably counted as the most significant factor in women's diets, that there simply wasn't much food.


If you read the english women's magazines of the late 40's and early 50's there are countless advertisement for tonics and pick-me-up pills for women that have lost interest in food and are unable to sleep. Basically those who were totally burnt out from 10 years of hard work, worry and not enough food.

There is no mention of weight, only a preoccupation of how to make a little food go a long way.


I don't know how this changed towards the later 1950's, I have heard that amphetamine based "slimming" pills were marketed in women's publications.

[K.D. Lightner]

In regards to weight and voluptuousness, we have done a 180-degree turn in society. At the turn of the 20th century, if you were heavy and pale, it is because you had enough food to eat and had the leisure to carry a sun umbrella, nor did you have to work outside. If you were slim and brown, you were poor.

Past the mid-century, if you were heavy and pale, it is because you ate cheap foods (carbohydrates) and had to work long hours in a factory with no time for leisure; if you were slim and brown, you had money to eat lean meat, fancy salads and fish, got to spas, and sun in the Riveria.

Please know that, until after the war, most people did not eat snacks. My mother does not ever remember eating out, let alone eating junk food. I once saw a 1932 photo taken of an entire student body in a small town in Iowa -- about 300 kids, plus teachers, janitors, etc. There was one fat person in the whole picture -- a boy. You could look at him and see there was something wrong hormonally.

Women were allowed up until the 60's to be voluptuous -- I have a middle-aged friend who was slender in high school -- kids called her Olive Oil. She hated being slim, was shy and an outcast. She has since gotten her revenge. I also have a friend who attended high school in the late 90's, she was 5'10" and weighed about 105 pounds. She was a popular cheerleader. (Although she said when someone got mad at her, she was called, not Olive Oil, but an "anorexic b**ch." So some things never change).

karol

[Mrs. Foss]

In Hollywood there was a diet and fitness guru names Madame Sylvia who looked after many of the stars, such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, and Carole Lombard. I picture it a lot like the scene at the beginning of The Women. For gals like Joan Crawford and Carole Lombard who arrived in Hollywood on the chubby side, she prescribed nothing but steak and vegetables until they had each lost about 20lbs. Early low card diets. She also prescribed an hour of vigorous massage a day to pretty much beat their fat into submission.

I have a book from the 50's called Lilly Dache's Glamour Book that has lots diet and exercise advise. Lots of stretching, fruit for breakfast, and a broiled chop and veggies for dinner. There's even a chart with the ideal measurements for your height. Margery Wilson has similar advise in the 40's. Some of my older cookbooks have chapters of reducing diets, too.

I have a Charm magazine from '46, right before the end of the war. It talks about making sure that you eat healthy and don't skip breakfast because the boys overseas want to come home to a strong, bright eyed, pink cheeked healthy girl - not a girl who looks like she'll be blown over by a puff of wind.

Most of the advice that I've seen has been pretty reasonable and still stands up pretty well. One that I wonder about is the DuBarry Success Course, which is advertised in a lot of my older magazines and seems to be a weight loss plan. I don't know what they were peddling.

~Mrs. Foss

[mysterygal]

No matter thin or volumptious, women are their best when they feel good about themselves. It kind of gets me mad at how the media tries to push 'the perfect body' it's hard on kids. With watching my mother-in-law and my husband try all these different kinds of diets, I observed that nothing really works until you change your actual eating habits.

[AllaboutEve]

Oh and let's not forget the changes in domestic chores....women during the 40's and 50's did a lot more hard physical work than we do now. There were virtually no mod cons. my grandmother (and mother to a certain extent) did most of their washing by hand, all their own baking etc.
I also think the lack of a refridgerator forced women to go shopping for food on a daily basis (more exercise) along with having to plan decent healthy meals.
I think that there has been a huge cultural swing with regards to eating habits over the last 30 years, it seems more and more acceptable to be eating all the time rather than just at meal times.
Like K.D.Lightner says snack/fast food didn't really exist, especially in Britain so people didn't really have the chance to pile on the pounds.
Hollywood was a law unto itself then (as it probably still is ) I can easily believe the demands placed on Miss Crawford and Miss Lombard, I think the stars then were under pressure to look good as part of their contract.

[MissAmelina]

Just giving this a bump since I stumbled upon something cool.

I found this article about Marilyn's regime from an old Pageant magazine (http://glamournet.com/legends/Marilyn/monthly/shape1.html)and downloaded the pictures from the web:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/amelinab/shape-1.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/amelinab/shape-2.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/amelinab/shape-3.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/amelinab/shape-4.jpg

[December]

My Grandma was very slim in the 50s and has said it was all down to rationing. Even when it stopped, they weren't used to eating a lot so kept meal sizes down. She ate a lot of home-grown vegetables and didn't have a car so walked everywhere.

She never smoked as it cost too much and she was saving for a pair of green shoes apparantly!

As for the hourglass shape, it's perfectly possible to have a slim waist with ample hips and chest. I have a 10" difference between my hips/chest (which are the same size) and waist. My waist is the thing that fits fine with vintage clothing- my hips and bust are the problems! lol

[Miss Vixen]

I loved reading everyones responses. My grandma said the rationing kept them slim and also smoking and all the calories a lady would burn up during the day with all the household chores. I just got a stack of 1946-1956 Ladies home journals and some Romance magazines from 1945 and they have a special *diet table* lol that they were pushing for a easy *workout* while trying to reduce. I love the old magazines, the ads crack me up!

[Blondie]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/kittyvonpurr/ob38.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/kittyvonpurr/ob44.jpg

[December]

Wow Blondie! She did a fantastic job!

Do you know who she is and how she did it?

[Blondie]

No, i don't know who she is, a friend emailed me the pics after we were talking about diets. Whatever she did it worked !!!

[MissAmelina]

Oh my gosh.....I am so doing this tomorrow morning, just for the heck of it.

http://www.jacklalanne.com/tv.html

[zendy]

Me too! Ha ha does he have a skull and crossbones belt buckle on that sweet workout onesie? lol

[Shirin]

Ibm not sure if this has to do with controlling weight, maybe I'm reading too much into it., but my 1941 Saturday Evening Post has about eight or nine ads for Laxatives. One was for Kellogs All Bran, use it to keep things running smooth. Again, I'm not sure if they were, at that time, used to control weight or if there was really a need for laxatives from lack of fiber maybe?

[MissAmelina]

Me too! Ha ha does he have a skull and crossbones belt buckle on that sweet workout onesie? lol

He just said "TRIMNASTICS!!" and I love his ballet shoes.

[miserabelle]

Housework is an amazing workout.
So... I'm finding out, is owning a small dog :) x

[dhermann1]

I read somewhere that the average American consumes 125 lbs of sugar a year, whether consciously or not. Our foods are drenched with sugar, from cereals to soft drinks to all sorts of other stuff that you would never suspect. 75 years ago I believe the average consumption was about 1/4th that or less. Sugar is the poison of the American diet!

[LizzieMaine]

Ibm not sure if this has to do with controlling weight, maybe I'm reading too much into it., but my 1941 Saturday Evening Post has about eight or nine ads for Laxatives. One was for Kellogs All Bran, use it to keep things running smooth. Again, I'm not sure if they were, at that time, used to control weight or if there was really a need for laxatives from lack of fiber maybe?

Exactly right. The dominant diet was heavy on meat and potatoes, with soggy canned vegetables on the side, and "roughage" was becoming less and less common in everyday meals. There was a fad in the early thirties for lettuce-and-carrot based meals as a reaction to this, but nonbelievers sneered at this as "rabbit food," and it didn't catch on with the general public.

Another thing you'll notice from vintage ads is that the ads for products like Ironized Yeast, which promised to help you *gain* weight very much outnumbered ads for weight-loss products -- a direct result of widespread malnutrition during the Depression years.

Weight loss pills did exist though -- and most of them were unsafe. A product called "Marmola" was widely used during the thirties, until the FDA took it off the market in 1935. It was made from bovine thyroid extract, and had a tendency to cause fatal heart failure if too much was taken.

[MissAmelina]

I read somewhere that the average American consumes 125 lbs of sugar a year, whether consciously or not. Our foods are drenched with sugar, from cereals to soft drinks to all sorts of other stuff that you would never suspect. 75 years ago I believe the average consumption was about 1/4th that or less. Sugar is the poison of the American diet!


That's right! Sad isn't it? I am reading' "Sugar Blues" by William Dufty, which outlines this theory. He was also Gloria Swanson's last husband.

She was a HUGE supporter of the whole foods/natural foods movement. Her health gurus were Dr. Harold Bieler and Gaylord Hauser. She believed sugar was evil, and she was a real health nut. If you see footage of her before her death, you can tell that *something* was working. :) She looked alot better than the other 80-somethings from her day---and did not have any plastic surgery (with the exception of tiny cysts removed from her eyes). I am also reading her autobiography---I am in part II, and she is just beginning to discuss all this. It is having a real effect on me.

P.S. Also reading (i always have at least four books going at once! hehe) "Hollywood Dish" which is a natural foods cookbook that discusses alot of Golden Age stars and their healthfood kicks.

[Shirin]

I read somewhere that the average American consumes 125 lbs of sugar a year, whether consciously or not. Our foods are drenched with sugar, from cereals to soft drinks to all sorts of other stuff that you would never suspect. 75 years ago I believe the average consumption was about 1/4th that or less. Sugar is the poison of the American diet!

This is so true. I've been cutting way back on sugar these days. Last year I stopped putting sugar in my coffee, now I take it with just milk, and I actually like it better this way. A huge success for me! Also, I stopped eating chocolate 2 months ago (with the exception of 2 May birthday cake slices) and my skin cleared up! I didn't have zits up until I had some chocolate balls last week with my son, then I got 2 literally overnight. So back to no chocolate for me. I also don't eat those sugary cereals, and have to keep reminding my husband NOT to bring them home because we eat eggs and toast in the morning. So now theres unopen boxes of kids cereals on the shelf. I don't have the heart to throw them out, but we won't eat them. Donate maybe? One thing I wish they wouldn't add sugar in is orange juice-I hate that!

[Inky]

Queens of Vintage just had an article about war time rationing helping the waistline

http://www.queensofvintage.com/would-a-wartime-diet-help-our-waistlines

[Foofoogal]

I personally believe that salt in todays food, especially fast foods has a way bigger negative side affect then the fat in todays food.
Look at a box sometimes, even kids cookies. Pitiful.

[Shirin]

my sister in law swears by natural food as a way of life. Her motto is "keep it close to nature". She is 5'3" and thin, but she wasn't always so thin. She adopted that way of life, I dunno, like 10 years ago and has stuck with it ever since. I find it really inspiring. In fact, when we visit her, if we stay for a week, I almost always lose a few pounds because they only keep natural,healthy food in their house. Lots of veggies, fruits and lean meat, and bread for her husband. She doesn't eat sweets and not much salt. She said you would be surprised at how little the body needs to survive. She snacks on small small portions throughout the day (half a banana for example) and only on holidays will sit for a "meal".

[kamikat]

She said you would be surprised at how little the body needs to survive. She snacks on small small portions throughout the day (half a banana for example) and only on holidays will sit for a "meal".
Are you sure she isn't anorectic? Natural food isn't a cure-all and anything below 900 calories is a starvation diet, whether those calories come from fruits and veggies or from french fries. My house is completely natural, too. We are a vegan household and one child has celiac disease, which means we're also a wheat/gluten free household. Eating natural hasn't changed my weight at all, in fact I've gained weight since going all natural/vegan because 2500 calories is 2500 calories whether it's from eating 10 bananas or eating a greasy hamburger. The only truth to dieting is "calories in, calories out". If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight. I've lost weight by eating one chocolate bar a day and nothing else. I gained weight while eating nothing but vegetables. There's no trick, just be aware of how many calories are in the foods you eat.

[Shirin]

she's not anorexic, she doesn't eat until she gets "full", only satisfied or not hungry.
I think what she meant by that statement was its not really necessary to eat more than your body really needs.

[Shirin]

The only truth to dieting is "calories in, calories out". If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight..
This I completely agree on, there is no other way unless there's something wrong hormonally.

[GlamourDoll]

Are you sure she isn't anorectic? Natural food isn't a cure-all and anything below 900 calories is a starvation diet, whether those calories come from fruits and veggies or from french fries. My house is completely natural, too. We are a vegan household and one child has celiac disease, which means we're also a wheat/gluten free household. Eating natural hasn't changed my weight at all, in fact I've gained weight since going all natural/vegan because 2500 calories is 2500 calories whether it's from eating 10 bananas or eating a greasy hamburger. The only truth to dieting is "calories in, calories out". If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight. I've lost weight by eating one chocolate bar a day and nothing else. I gained weight while eating nothing but vegetables. There's no trick, just be aware of how many calories are in the foods you eat.

I agree with Kamikat. But at the same time the counting calories thing doesn't work. I tried it and I just gained weight. So more recently I started this diet of just cutting out all surgar, salt, and bread...drinking almost a gallon of watter a day...and eatting foods that were high in protein.

It's seems to be working cuz I already lost about 10lbs. But I'm also very active considering I work in a fast paced doctors office. So yes, If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight.

[MissAmelina]

I agree with Kamikat. But at the same time the counting calories thing doesn't work. I tried it and I just gained weight. So more recently I started this diet of just cutting out all surgar, salt, and bread...drinking almost a gallon of watter a day...and eatting foods that were high in protein.

It's seems to be working cuz I already lost about 10lbs. But I'm also very active considering I work in a fast paced doctors office. So yes, If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight.

:offtopic: It does depend on the *quality* of calories you are eating. If you eat 1500 calories that have more than 30% from fat (ie. french fries, cheese, or even olive oil and avocados) then you will gain weight, compared to 1500 calories of whole grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables with very little fat. Reduce the fat and increase the quality of protein and carb calories.

Also, it depends what your body mass or weight is.....a person who weighs over 200 pounds is not eating enough if they stick to a 1200 calorie diet. That would be starvation mode. They might lose some weight for awhile, but it would mess with their metabolism and then their body would cling to every little thing they ate. I think a 200 pound person needs to eat over 2000 calories a day to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week. And losing any more than that per week is muscle mass or water...once again, starvation mode.

I love reading thru the old diet manuals (I want to get my hands on Madame Sylvia's)--their info is so outdated. I believe someone mentioned the DuBarry Success Course....evidently that was a diet of oranges and mineral oil. Eww!!!

Jack LaLanne is NINETY-FOUR and still going strong, by the way. Crazy. I totally did his first show workout that I listed earlier. His motto is "If man made it, don't eat it. If it tastes too good, spit it out." lol

Kamikat---I hear ya. A buddy of mine is vegan and she is having a heck of a time losing weight. But she eats things like those yummy Trader Joe's veggie chips all the time and they are *loaded* with fat and processed gunk.
I know it is off topic, but as a vegan household with a child that has dietary issues, what does a normal day of eating look like to you guys?

[HoneysuckleRose]

I’d be interested to know what sort of advice these old publications give to help thin women put on weight, that’s not something I can imagine magazines today having articles on!

I definitely agree with the comments made about the quantity of sugar and salt we unwittingly consume, for instance I read today that some iced coffees available on the high street contain as many calories as a hot dinner.

I also think metabolism can have a lot to do with weight. There are a few members of my family, myself included, who have very fast metabolisms and are therefore thin, I was so self conscious about it as a teenager as I used to get ‘anorexic’ comments. It affected my confidence hugely. It would seem though that as I’ve grown older my metabolism is slowing down a little and I’m gradually looking slightly less thin than I did back then. Though I did get a pretty insensitive comment from a guy at work the other day which knocked me a bit, not something I’d expect from a guy in his 40’s.

I would love to ask the people who thought it was acceptable to comment on my weight to my face back then whether they’d feel it was acceptable to make comments to the face of someone who was very overweight. I suspect they’d be less likely to, though I know it happens.

Oh well, hope you don’t mind me getting that off my chest! I was a bit nervous about posting this as I rarely talk about this issue as I know a lot of women have real problems with their weight and I often feel I have no right to moan and should keep my mouth shut and try and look at it positively. Maybe if I hadn’t had all the negative comments I would do, but there you go!

Will keep my posts shorter in future!

[kamikat]

.
I know it is off topic, but as a vegan household with a child that has dietary issues, what does a normal day of eating look like to you guys?
For me personally or for the kids? I generally start off the day with an onion bagel, dry and a banana. Lunch is usually homemade veggie soup and some crackers. Midafternoon snack is homemade applesauce or a homemade muffin. Dinner is generally a curry or stirfry over rice. I'm allergic to soy, so we don't have tofu. I also have IBS and Colitis, so I don't eat raw fruits (except bananas) or raw veggies and have to severely limit any high fiber foods, like whole grains, brown rice or beans and legumes and can not eat anything with more than 20% fat. Since switching to this diet, I have been able to control all my GI symptoms and cut out all but one medication, but have gained 50lbs.

[kamikat]

. Though I did get a pretty insensitive comment from a guy at work the other day which knocked me a bit, not something I’d expect from a guy in his 40’s.

I would love to ask the people who thought it was acceptable to comment on my weight to my face back then whether they’d feel it was acceptable to make comments to the face of someone who was very overweight. I suspect they’d be less likely to, though I know it happens.
!
Is it possible he was just concerned for your well being?
As for people making comments, yes, that happens on a regular basis. I get the "you have such a beautiful face, you'd be stunning if you lost weight" on a somewhat regular basis. I also get a lot of pity because I lost a ton of weight on a doctor-controlled liquid diet, then gained it all back (I had to take a ton of GI related meds to stay on the liquid diet). People constantly ask me if I'm doing all right, "are you sure you aren't depressed?" "you shouldn't eat when you're upset".

[ShoreRoadLady]

I just picked up some McCall's Needlework magazines (which have a lot of knitwear fashion spreads, believe it or not!), and in the 1954 Spring/Summer issue there's an ad for Kelpidine Chewing Gum. Chewing it was supposed to help you lose up to 5 lbs. a week, but it doesn't say how it worked. Maybe you were supposed to chew it to keep from eating and eating? Maybe it had an appetite supressant?


I would love to ask the people who thought it was acceptable to comment on my weight to my face back then whether they’d feel it was acceptable to make comments to the face of someone who was very overweight. I suspect they’d be less likely to, though I know it happens.

:offtopic: Ironically, I'm now trying to lose weight, but I used to be very thin without any effort whatsoever. I'd get comments in the "Oh, you're so thin! And I'm so fat! I'm so jealous!" vein, and it really does get tiring. And I'd like to declare a moratorium on any "You look great! I hate you!" half-joking comments. Ugh. I have a hunch that people think beautiful (in this case, thin) people are open to attack simply because of the way they look.

[kamikat]

:offtopic: Ironically, I'm now trying to lose weight, but I used to be very thin without any effort whatsoever. I'd get comments in the "Oh, you're so thin! And I'm so fat! I'm so jealous!" vein, and it really does get tiring. And I'd like to declare a moratorium on any "You look great! I hate you!" half-joking comments. Ugh. I have a hunch that people think beautiful (in this case, thin) people are open to attack simply because of the way they look.
I used to be very jealous of naturally slim women until I went shopping with a new girlfriend, about 3 years ago. She had just as much trouble finding fashionable clothes to fit as I did. She could find casual clothes in the juniors and girls' departments, but nothing proper for the office. Also, the idea that she could eat whatever she wanted and not gain weight led to cholesterol and blood pressure problems at 40yrs old.

[Paisley]

Those who want to gain or lose weight might be interested in Body for Life. Basically, it's a balance of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables and an exercise plan of three weight training workouts and three cardio workouts per week. (It's about 3.5 hours of workouts per week.) There's nothing to join, no special food you have to buy, and you can do the exercises with free weights at home. You can get the book by the same name and get started. I've been on Body for Life for six years and really like it. :)

[Paisley]

I don't have weight issues, but I generally don't like comments on my appearance, either. Somebody once asked me to dance, saying, "You're too pretty to sit there alone." I guess if I weren't pretty, I'd deserve to be ignored. :(

[MissAmelina]

People constantly ask me if I'm doing all right, "are you sure you aren't depressed?" "you shouldn't eat when you're upset".

Oh my gosh....if someone said that to me, I think I would take the whole cake and shove my face around in it just to make them uncomfortable. You know what I mean?? :)
BTW, my mom suffers from some of the same things and has one heck of a time....so I sympathize with you. So glad you can control your symptoms with diet.

And Paisley...totally. what does that even MEAN, ya know? People, man. People.
And Yes, Body For Life is pretty cool. That's great that it works for you. I tried it for awhile and really toned up. HOWEVER (and this is just me) I am not big on lifting weights, so i got a little bored. Now I am doing NIA, yoga, and walking and it makes me feel great.

[HoneysuckleRose]

Is it possible he was just concerned for your well being?

I'd like to think he was but he definitely wasn't. I think I was just about to shoot off for lunch and he made a snide comment in a bitchy tone about how I was probably just going to have a leaf of lettuce or something. I really didn't know what to say as his comment came out of the blue, I just mumbled something about how he'd be surprised how much I ate but he just stood there with a 'Yeah RIGHT' expression on his face. I thought maybe I was reading too much into it but a girl there commented to me later on how out of order she thought he was.


I used to be very jealous of naturally slim women until I went shopping with a new girlfriend, about 3 years ago. She had just as much trouble finding fashionable clothes to fit as I did. She could find casual clothes in the juniors and girls' departments, but nothing proper for the office. Also, the idea that she could eat whatever she wanted and not gain weight led to cholesterol and blood pressure problems at 40yrs old.

I had exactly the same problem when I was a teenager, it was so hard to find clothes but it doesn't seem quite so bad now though I suspect clothing sizes are getting smaller.


:offtopic: Ironically, I'm now trying to lose weight, but I used to be very thin without any effort whatsoever. I'd get comments in the "Oh, you're so thin! And I'm so fat! I'm so jealous!" vein, and it really does get tiring. And I'd like to declare a moratorium on any "You look great! I hate you!" half-joking comments. Ugh. I have a hunch that people think beautiful (in this case, thin) people are open to attack simply because of the way they look.

That is so so true ShoreRoadLady, those are exactly the sort of comments I have received. I'm so fed up with having to justify the way I look to someone stood there with an undisguised look of sheer disbelief/amusement on their face. But then I'm not the first person to feel this way and I know I won't be the last. People eh?

[ladybrettashley]

Ugh, i just hate how obnoxious people are about others' bodies. I have friends who are overweight and underweight and it is just as much what their bodies do naturally as my fairly average weight is. I don't know why people can't simply understand that and let it be.

But, then, i think people really ought to let go of the obsession with weight altogether, and maybe start thinking about their health instead - they're not the same thing! I was hanging out with a friend of a friend the other day who was talking about her new diet, which she was on because "being fat is unhealthy." I had to bite my tongue, because it was clear when she explained it that the diet was far worse for her health than some extra weight would be. *sigh*

Oh, and those weird backhanded compliments ("you look great, i hate you!")? I believe the phrase "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" includes immediately qualifying your nice statements with rude ones! I would also like to add "I wish i had your ____(hair is the one i get, but the list goes on)" to the list of bizarre twists on compliments.

Perhaps we all ought to practice simply saying "you look great today" and "i love your ____" and leaving it at that!

Sorry, i'll step off my soapbox now ;)

[MissAmelina]

I get those backhanded compliments too, though not as often as I used to. :) tee-hee.

Try to remember that when a person says something like that, they have issues and insecurities of their own. And it is a wonderful time to be compassionate toward that person. We all have our hang-ups.

It's not like they *really* hate you...they just feel bad about themselves. So it is a great time to be supportive.

[kamikat]

But, then, i think people really ought to let go of the obsession with weight altogether, and maybe start thinking about their health instead - they're not the same thing! I was hanging out with a friend of a friend the other day who was talking about her new diet, which she was on because "being fat is unhealthy." I had to bite my tongue, because it was clear when she explained it that the diet was far worse for her health than some extra weight would be. *sigh*

This is soooo true. I recently had a physical and my (new) doctor couldn't believe my test results. She kept looking at me, then looking at her computer. It's almost as if she couldn't believe that a fat person could have good cholesterol numbers, normal blood sugar, normal blood pressure. While I don't think all-natural/organic, ect is the magic bullet for weightloss, I do believe it's the magic bullet for health.

[Shirin]

I like positive comments on my appearance, as long as they're sincere. You can tell from tone and body language if a compliment is sincere.
I've many a times, told women I think they're beautiful. I hope I haven't secretly offended any of them. Once at (I hate to say this) Krispy Kreme (Hey, I love their coffee!) there was a woman by herself, dressed up very nice-sort of vintage inspired- and before I walked out the door, I told her I thought she looked "very lovely today". She was so thankful and remarked that she hadn't heard that in such a long time. So I guess we are just taking a chance when we compliment somebody, and hoping we don't unknowingly offend them?

[texasgirl]

Oh I get the pretty face, but ya-know comment...I try to remember people think they are being nice. Oh and I get the- you're just too short for your weight- nice one.

Shirin, I took this seminar once and one of things they said stuck with me. When you give a compliment, make sure you address the person, not just the outfit. So for instance- You are just lovely, rather than-Your dress is just lovely.

Also, I have a 30s magazine about Fitness I'll check out. If there is some good info, I'll scan :)

Here's the cover:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/texasgirl_333/mags%20ads%20catalogs/LotImg65521.jpg

[ricki]

Here are a couple of images from "A New Figure in 30 Days with Calorie Counter, Diets, and Exercises." It's a Dell Purse Book from 1959. (Larger images here (http://beautyisathingofthepast.blogspot.com/2009/07/snack-pit-and-how-to-stick-to-reducing.html).)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_p_VRZY3jolk/Sm9q_9aiy0I/AAAAAAAABI8/i6Sb_65jDVg/s400/Diet001.jpg

Excerpt: "One of the first installations the Army set up after defeating the Germans was the Snack Bar. Its appearance all through the occupied countries was an outright government admission that Americans must eat constantly."

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_p_VRZY3jolk/Sm9q_mv-ftI/AAAAAAAABI0/kAfJ96SnOqU/s400/Diet002.jpg

Excerpt: "One problem in staying on a diet is that the non-fattening food frequently resembles something left over in the dog's dish." True even today!

There's a 30 day diet, 1200 and 1800 calorie versions. Here's a sample of the 1200 calorie:

"6th Day Lunch: 1 liverwurst sandwhich on rye bread, 1 glass skim milk.
Dinner: 2 small lean lamb chops, 1 medium baked potato, 1/2 tomato sliced, 1/2 cup kale, 1 teaspoon margarine, 1 ounce Camembert cheese, 2 saltines, 1 glass skim milk."

Apparently, they had already discovered the milk diet in 1959 (skim milk is in almost every meal.) Except for the occasional liver, a lot of the meals seem like something you'd find in a calorie counting today.

I also put up the exercises on my blog (http://beautyisathingofthepast.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-spot-trimming-and-building-and.html) - "Do a little exercising while you file."

[ricki]

I'm curious about the "Women and Nerves" article in the Physical Culture mag.

[reetpleat]

I agree with Kamikat. But at the same time the counting calories thing doesn't work. I tried it and I just gained weight. So more recently I started this diet of just cutting out all surgar, salt, and bread...drinking almost a gallon of watter a day...and eatting foods that were high in protein.

It's seems to be working cuz I already lost about 10lbs. But I'm also very active considering I work in a fast paced doctors office. So yes, If you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight.

I agree with you on this. Much evidence suggests it is not strictly calories in, calories out. Our bodies proccess calories in different ways at different times, etc. What you are doing seems a lot like with I have done for three weeks. It involves glycemic index, carbs etc. Basically, it is called slow carb, and there is not much to keep track of. I eat meat, fish, tofu, and lots of vegetables, raws almonds, and beans. I eat when I am hungry, often throughout the day. I eat no simple carbs, no bread, no flour, no wheat, no sugar, no fruit, no dairy, etc. Except for one day a week when you eat whatever you want. The idea is to not only keep you from feeling too deprived, but to also spike your insulin levels, etc so your body does not get used to it. Has been working for me to the tune of five pounds so far, and seems to work for a lot of other people too. Plus it is not starving yourself and extremely healthy and cheap and convenient too. I prepare two days worth of mixed steamed vegetables, cook beans in the slow cooker or buy canned, and prepare meat once a day in the morning or evening. Kind of boring, but I can handle it for a couple of months. Plus, I love my cheat days.

[Aorta]

Oh I get the pretty face, but ya-know comment...I try to remember people think they are being nice. Oh and I get the- you're just too short for your weight- nice one.

Shirin, I took this seminar once and one of things they said stuck with me. When you give a compliment, make sure you address the person, not just the outfit. So for instance- You are just lovely, rather than-Your dress is just lovely.


Yes, I also know the those comments with a "but" in it. And I'm a size 12 or 14 (with a height of 5.0 ft).

Adressing the person is a very good point!


While I don't think all-natural/organic, ect is the magic bullet for weightloss, I do believe it's the magic bullet for health.

I agree with you. I've been a vegetarian for about five years now (with lots of wholefoods) and I've never felt better, although I don't have an ideal size.

[kamikat]

I agree with you. I've been a vegetarian for about five years now (with lots of wholefoods) and I've never felt better, although I don't have an ideal size.
People tend to be surprised when they find out I'm vegan and say things like "I thought being vegan made you too skinny". My reply is always the same, "pie maybe be vegan and organic, but it's still pie".

[Jezebel_Amazon]

I'm so glad this post is up! I've been struggling with my weight and shape for a while now. I'm 5'11 and 150 lbs.. in books I hear thats average but I am just not pleased with my waist. I'm not sure if I should buy a corselette or not.. I just don't think they would work.. I have a few girdles but they are so bumpy! Do any of you guys know of nice smooth everyday shape wear? [huh]

Anyway!
My grandma said smoking kept her real thin along with swimming and horseback riding.. Maybe all those could work.. I know swimming is really good for you just its so harsh on your hair... and forget styling your hair if it's long! :eusa_doh:

[MissAmelina]

I'm so glad this post is up! I've been struggling with my weight and shape for a while now. I'm 5'11 and 150 lbs.. in books I hear thats average but I am just not pleased with my waist. I'm not sure if I should buy a corselette or not.. I just don't think they would work.. I have a few girdles but they are so bumpy! Do any of you guys know of nice smooth everyday shape wear? [huh]

Anyway!
My grandma said smoking kept her real thin along with swimming and horseback riding.. Maybe all those could work.. I know swimming is really good for you just its so harsh on your hair... and forget styling your hair if it's long! :eusa_doh:

There is a whole thread on undergarments in the powder room that you should check out....all kinds of good stuff there. I have a rago corset that takes a couple inches off my waist, which accentuates my hourglass shape. :) If you are more ruler shaped, it would give the illusion of a curvy shape if that's what's bugging you.

And actually, according to many doctors, 150 is underweight for your height! :) (Not that I always listen to them!) But I am about that weight and 5 inches shorter than you, slender and in good health. But we all have our hangups, so I totally get where you are coming from. But take heart---my tall gal pals (i have 3 of them) who are 5'11" weigh more than you do, and they are hot mamacitas. :)

Smoking does help keep the pounds away...I am finally losing the weight I gained when I quit last year. But smoking also gives you cancer. :) So i vote for lean meats, lotsa fruit and veggies, and long walks on those Florida beaches, Jezebel. :)

[olive bleu]

just came accross this today quite by accident.....:)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-191200/How-1950s-women-stayed-slim.html

and it's actually todays paper..what a coincidink.

[The Shirt]

The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemon Cleanse and the Maple Syrup Diet, is a dieting program created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and made popular by Peter Glickman through his book Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days, which promotes Burroughs' regimen to a modern audience. [1] Burroughs states that it is a detoxification program that aids in the removal of harmful toxins from within the body, as well as a reducing diet for loss of weight,[2] and a cure for ulcers[2] and "every kind of disease,"[2] resulting in "the correction of all disorders."[2] [3]

Wikipedia version

I have tried this before not necessarily as a weight loss program but as a detox to try and adjust some internal things. It was different. Curious if anyone else has tried this. I didn't realize it had such a long history.

[pretty faythe]

I used to be very jealous of naturally slim women until I went shopping with a new girlfriend, about 3 years ago. She had just as much trouble finding fashionable clothes to fit as I did. She could find casual clothes in the juniors and girls' departments,

My 16 year old actually has this problem, because she is so slender and short, yet has junk in her trunk, lol. She has a great metabolism now, and very active, and much skinnier then I ever was at her age, but I've let her know she needs to watch how she eats (by example too) and tell her to just look at her family, we are in general a larger bunch. I have a larger frame (which is why I have always though I was fat, even when looking back at pics when I was younger I was no where near fat) and my blondzilla 10 year old, who is a mere 3 inches shorter than the 16 year old, is no where being over weight, but she looks a bit bigger because she has a larger frame too.

Got off track, the 16 year old is a 32/26/36 with a high waist, so its hard for her to find pants that fit right in the adult section, that arent miles long. She'll sometimes find some in the kids "plus" sizes.

[reetpleat]

Wikipedia version

I have tried this before not necessarily as a weight loss program but as a detox to try and adjust some internal things. It was different. Curious if anyone else has tried this. I didn't realize it had such a long history.


I have done it twice, if it is where you drink only fruit juice, and a mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne. Felt great, but after ten days, you need to start eating again. Not sure if i would recommend it for weight loss. I did it a a fast and cleanse. Loved it. After a couple of days you do not get hungry or crave food anymore.

[MissAmelina]

just came accross this today quite by accident.....:)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-191200/How-1950s-women-stayed-slim.html

and it's actually todays paper..what a coincidink.

Great article!

And Pretty Faythe---shopping for clothes is just the worst. I was about your daughter's size in the mid 80's (a little more busty) and was able to find stuff in the juniors section. I wore a size 7. (was I really ever that tiny????) lol
But I think the clothing construction back then was for a more curvy shape. Now, it seems like they are making more and more clothing for gals who are ruler shaped. I sure wish they would do both, as it makes shopping a nightmare.
Does your daughter sew? This is one of the big reasons I picked it up again.

And about that master cleanse---be careful. It can really throw off your metabolism. I've had friends who did it, lost a ton of weight, and then gained it all back and then some, as it ate away at their muscle mass.

[The Shirt]

It is definitely something to be done with caution. I only mentioned it as something that started in the 40s-50s as a diet method. I am using it for entirely different purposes (IBS) and to for lack of a better word spiritually get in tune with my body's needs. I have never made it the 10 full days, nor without adding veg. soup or fruit juices. There are numerous articles out there about it effects on metabolism, both pros and cons. I have plenty of fat before it ever reaches a point of burning up my muscle mass. :o I think one also has to be careful to continue slow/moderate exercise while on the cleanse to keep the metabolism active. I am not a doctor, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, it is just my experience. ;)

[kamikat]

It is definitely something to be done with caution. I only mentioned it as something that started in the 40s-50s as a diet method. I am using it for entirely different purposes (IBS) and to for lack of a better word spiritually get in tune with my body's needs.
If you are trying to control your IBS symptoms by diet and get off meds, I highly recommend "Eating for IBS" by Heather Van Vorous. Her website gives the basics of her diet, as well as a message board with help, recipe exchange, ect http://www.helpforibs.com/ She also wrote "IBS: the First Year". My G.I. approves of her diet and also says that studies have recently confirmed the effectiveness of some of the herbs she recommends.

[The Shirt]

Thanks Kamikat - I will definitely look into the recommendation.

[reetpleat]

It is definitely something to be done with caution. I only mentioned it as something that started in the 40s-50s as a diet method. I am using it for entirely different purposes (IBS) and to for lack of a better word spiritually get in tune with my body's needs. I have never made it the 10 full days, nor without adding veg. soup or fruit juices. There are numerous articles out there about it effects on metabolism, both pros and cons. I have plenty of fat before it ever reaches a point of burning up my muscle mass. :o I think one also has to be careful to continue slow/moderate exercise while on the cleanse to keep the metabolism active. I am not a doctor, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, it is just my experience. ;)


I have done it while drinking a lot of fruit juices, so my caloric intake was quite high. I don't think I even lost much or any weight. Wasn't keeping track. the reason i don't recommend fasting for weight loss is the above. It can make your metabolism slow down and then you gain weight all the worse if you go back to eating a lot. Interestingly, studies on mice and observing people suggest that the key to longevity may be eating very little.

[MissAmelina]

I have done it while drinking a lot of fruit juices, so my caloric intake was quite high. I don't think I even lost much or any weight. Wasn't keeping track. the reason i don't recommend fasting for weight loss is the above. It can make your metabolism slow down and then you gain weight all the worse if you go back to eating a lot. Interestingly, studies on mice and observing people suggest that the key to longevity may be eating very little.

Exactly, cuz it doesn't use up the fat first---your body can only process a 2-3 pound loss of fat in a week...anything more than that is muscle or water. Does the test say whether or not their cheese intake affects a mouse's longevity? :) I like me some cheese.

P.S. Evidently, whilst under Dr. Bieler's influence, Gloria Swanson only ate zucchini, green beans, leeks and brown bread to stay radiant.

[laurakitty]

It is definitely something to be done with caution. I only mentioned it as something that started in the 40s-50s as a diet method. I am using it for entirely different purposes (IBS) and to for lack of a better word spiritually get in tune with my body's needs. I have never made it the 10 full days, nor without adding veg. soup or fruit juices. There are numerous articles out there about it effects on metabolism, both pros and cons. I have plenty of fat before it ever reaches a point of burning up my muscle mass. :o I think one also has to be careful to continue slow/moderate exercise while on the cleanse to keep the metabolism active. I am not a doctor, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, it is just my experience. ;)

I did the Master Cleanse last year, Spring 2008, for 15 of the longest days of my life. I lost 16 lbs and kept it off for over a year, but have gained all of it back in the last month and a half, so I have really no idea what is going on. If in slowed my metabolism, wouldn't I have gained it back immediately? I have no idea why I've suddenly gained it back, but since none of my clothes fit it has given me the incentive to restart my Muy Thai training after 3 years away. My boyfriend wants to do it again starting next Monday, but I'm unsure if it is a good idea- the last thing I want to do is slow my metabolism.

I'm finding this whole thread immensely interesting. I'm a Celiac with lots of allergies as well, so its always intriguing to read other people with similar issue's diets. I've tried being both vegan and raw for awhile, but I always gain weight and find that my digestive problems get worse. I seem to work well on a very high fish diet with lots of greens. The article from Queens of Vintage was very interesting- I would be interested in trying the ration diet, except it seems rather difficult to adapt to my allergies.

[kamikat]

I'm finding this whole thread immensely interesting. I'm a Celiac with lots of allergies as well, so its always intriguing to read other people with similar issue's diets. I've tried being both vegan and raw for awhile, but I always gain weight and find that my digestive problems get worse. I seem to work well on a very high fish diet with lots of greens. The article from Queens of Vintage was very interesting- I would be interested in trying the ration diet, except it seems rather difficult to adapt to my allergies.
What I discovered, after several years of baking and feeding my celiac son, is that gluten-free baked goods are usually higher in fat and calories than their gluten-filled counterpart because they use things like eggs and milk to replace the protein. You're probably already aware of that, but once I started baking everything myself, I was able to cut down a lot of the fat and calories using fat-free soy milk and Ener-G egg replacer.

[kamikat]

Another important factor in weightloss is sleep. Several studies have shown that chronic insomniacs don't burn calories at a much slower rate. I've been an insomniac my whole life(mom says I only slept 4 hours a day from the very beginning), so I'm not surprised to discover this info.

[texasgirl]

I scanned some of the articles and ads from the Physical Cuture magazine and have posted them on my flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasgirl_333/sets/72157621779829889/

There are some interesting articles on the Modern Girl, a 50/50 marriage, Sunshine, Women and Nerves and others

Men :)
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/texasgirl_333/mags%20ads%20catalogs/men.jpg

If you're too skinny
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/texasgirl_333/mags%20ads%20catalogs/skinny1.jpg

Artistic Beautiful Body
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/texasgirl_333/mags%20ads%20catalogs/artistic.jpg

[kamikat]

Another important factor in weightloss is sleep. Several studies have shown that chronic insomniacs don't burn calories at a much slower rate. I've been an insomniac my whole life(mom says I only slept 4 hours a day from the very beginning), so I'm not surprised to discover this info.
I meant to say "insomniacs burn calories at a much slower rate":eusa_doh:

[SayCici]

Texasgirl - I love how in the second ad it looks like those 5 pounds only went to one place. The two different girls are just as skinny as the other, but the one on the right has bigger boobs!

[zendy]

Texasgirl - I love how in the second ad it looks like those 5 pounds only went to one place. The two different girls are just as skinny as the other, but the one on the right has bigger boobs!
I was thinking the same thing. How funny that the malt only makes you gain boob weight!

[yummykiwi]

Texasgirl - I love how in the second ad it looks like those 5 pounds only went to one place. The two different girls are just as skinny as the other, but the one on the right has bigger boobs!

Exactly what I thought. My husband would totally approve of that purchase!

[Magdalena]

Kamicat ,I have celiac disease too.I unfortuneatley have trouble losing weight beacuase rice and some of the other flours have so much more carbs and calories.I am only about 10 pounds overweight but it still seems like a struggle.Oh well!!!

[pretty faythe]

Another important factor in weightloss is sleep. Several studies have shown that chronic insomniacs don't burn calories at a much slower rate. I've been an insomniac my whole life(mom says I only slept 4 hours a day from the very beginning), so I'm not surprised to discover this info.
Me too. I can always remember my mom fighting with me to get me to go to sleep, I have school in the morning blah blah blah....I used to think I was a "night person" until I got older and realized it was a form of insomnia.