35 Noodle Soup

So you could say that my job here in Zambia is developing an environment where behavoiur change is possible, but what being here is showing me is that there are somethings about American culture that don't change in any environement. Specifically I'm talking about the American weight culture. Even in a country where the men tell me that I should put on more weight to the point where they can't put their arms around me ( not that I would allow a man here to put his arms around me.) But I can't get away from the desire to be thin and toned. Much to my surprise there isn't a gym in my village, so that makes it a bit diffcult to look like the cover of Shape magazine.

When I decided to go into the Peace Corps I thought, "Great, I can get dirty, grimy, bike a million miles, and be on a diet of deprivation." Not true. If people here aren't trying to over feed you with straight carbs then your over stuffing yourself because there is no sense of portion control. The only thing that keeps me from absolute body hatred is a lack of a mirror. But then as soon as I go to the Boma or Lusaka and I'm around people and a mirror and jeans I'm back into the downward spiral I remember most from being in the check out at a grocery store surrounded by People magazine, Cosmo, Shape, Fitness, ect. My only control is 35 noodle soup. That is soup with 35 spagetti noodles and vegies. My desperate attempt at portion control.

I get really upset about how that is something that I just can't kick. I should be happy about my body and even happier that I made a decision to forgo the luxury of the USA for two years of service. But the thought of coming back burned, haggered, and 10 lbs over weight makes my future seem dismal because in my America boys like skinny girls with a flat stomach, not a girl with a good head on her shoulders who can build her own house, speak three languages, and clean a fish.

Maybe Kate Moss will be out of style by the time I get back or maybe I'll have gotten over whatever silly physical shortcomings I imagine that I have. Wish me luck!