Fear of Spandex
Eeeeekkkkkk! That was my first reaction. It was every woman's worst fear. I was to be photographed for a national magazine, Woman's Day, wearing brightly colored skin-tight spandex in front of my clothes closet.
A writer from Woman's Day emailed me last month to ask if I knew any women who had lost weight through walking. I forwarded the message to Walklist and responded myself that I lost 45 pounds last year through the Jenny Craig diet and increased walking and exercise. The writer called and interviewed me and selected me for the article, to run in the March, 1998 edition.
The magazine contacted a local photographer who they had used previously, Caelestis Productions. The editor loved my quote that while losing weight I was able to get a whole new wardrobe by "shopping in my own closet," as I was again able to fit into the clothes I had outgrown. He thought a picture of me with my closet would be great, plus photos of me walking, all in bright colored spandex.
Problem #1: Closet
I am a walker, not a housekeeper. My clothes closet is in the spare bedroom where all of our Tough Trail Trompers Club event supplies are kept. My closet had supply boxes stacked four-feet high in front of it, plus my suitcases from recent trips which had yet to be unpacked. My dresser was still upstairs where it was moved when our nephew was staying with us for couple of weeks. Most of wardrobe was on the spare bed rather than in the closet! I spent six hours cleaning and eventually had a spare bedroom that could again accept guests and a closet that could be photographed. My clothes looked quite happy hanging in the closet and I had a stack to give to the charity clothing drive.
Not a problem!
The photographer stopped by to look at my closet and decided that they would concoct a fake closet in the living room. That way they could light it well to get a brighter photo. Oh, well - at least I now had a clean spare bedroom and could find all my clothes. My husband kept walking by the door and gazing in approvingly.
Problem #2: Brightly Colored Spandex
This editor is obviously used to working with super models. I am a real woman, one who still has bulges and a thick waist even after losing weight. One whose colors are "intense winter," and who buys the jewel-tones and black and navy I know I look best in. I don't own any brightly colored spandex and would likely not wear it in public if I did!
Not a problem!
The photographer arranged a shopping trip with the photostylist. We went to SportMart and Target in search of bright spandex and fitted jackets. The popular color this season is fluorescent yellow-green, which makes me look two-weeks dead. Where was fuchsia, I look good in fuschia! The best we could find was a bright purple. We put together several outfits.
Lights! Camera!
The photographer, his assistant and the photostylist arrived at 11 am, bearing bagels and lots of equipment. The stylist spent an hour putting makeup on me, styling my hair and dressing me in spandex. I don't normally wear makeup because I tend to become allergic to anything I use, and my hairstyle is selected for extreme simplicity. I was pleased to see I still looked like me, only nicer, when she was done. Rich joked with the photographer and assistant as they built a closet in the living room and set up lights and camera.
Model for a Day
I spent two hours in front of the "closet" smiling and admiring the clothes I could now fit into, wearing the purple spandex. The photographer was very personable and entertaining to work with, as a good photographer has to be. I added foam shoulder pads to my bodice to make up for the flattening effects of spandex. The photographers lit the scene and posed me to enhance my best features and hide the remaining tummy and bulges. They agreed that I was easier to work with than most professional models - I took directions well and was thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Walking Slowly
We then moved outside to take take shots of me tying my shoe while Rich looked on, walking with Rich, walking solo. The neighbors were already curious and now really must have been wondering what was going on. Rich wanted to wear his "Billy Bob" fake teeth - the ones with gaps and stains - but I convinced him our marriage would not survive if he did. He wore his bright yellow Adidas jacket and looked very colorful. We then moved a mile away to the park and took more photos walking on the park paths and playing on the playground. It was very difficult to walk slow enough for the camera. The sun was soon setting and we bid goodbye to the camera crew.
The Future?
Will I get the courage to actually look at those photos? Will I be able to appear in public again? While I was gaining weight I was horrified to see photos of me - I could convince myself in the mirror that I looked OK, but the camera told the truth. I will just have to trust that it is worth it if it encourages other women to take up walking to improve their fitness and help with weight management. Look for me and a couple other women in the March issue of Woman's Day.
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Me in spandex
Nine years ago and many pounds lighter!
