Defensive Over Email Spam?

Well, finally since Jan. 28, I've finally reached a new diet low--by about 3.5 lbs. I almost hesitate to mention this, because it seems each time I post a new low, it turns out to be a resistance point it can take weeks to move past. I often do an informal weigh-in after work, which suggests whether a whoosh will continue. This test sometimes fails. There have been times I thought I had another pound or 2 left based on an informal weigh-in, and I actually get a bounce. But there were signs I could take another 1.5 to 2 pounds out in this whoosh.

What helped, unfortunately, I've had some cough/cold/flu thing going on over the weekend, which adversely affected my appetite (and I really don't eat that much to begin with). I know--some jock somewhere is snickering at a fat man who says he's got no appetite, like he wants to buy a ticket to see the show. I usually don't get colds or flus, but there's been a thing going around with co-workers and as an IT person, I often have to work in cold server rooms (computer servers and peripherals can get very hot) and in this area of the country, the outside temperature is already reaching or topping 100. So the swing between temperatures can seriously mess with one's body. I'm almost out of it (famous last words), but it's also possible I was somewhat dehydrated during the period and will replenish any water loss.

I don't know why (I've occasionally purchased big men's underwear from famous brand and are on their email lists), but it seems lately I've been deleting at least one bra sale email a day. I realize they probably think I'm married and have a wife or daughters with undergarment needs, but it's not like I have need of man boob support.

When your waist as a man, exceeds, say 42 inches or so, your clothing options diminish; yes, there are ultra-expensive specialty big & tall men's shops, but for the most part I've never been able to shop for suits, dress shirts, etc., and/or find the styles I prefer; I've generally done mail order or the Internet. Now granted, being over 100 lbs. overweight, I can stand to lose inches almost everywhere but even around my waist I don't "shake like a bowl full of jelly".

I can only imagine how hard I would be to fit if I were a woman. I inherited a barrel chest from my Dad's side of the family (the only one in my family). I never went into the serious bodybuilder or gym rat mode, but I would do some modest weight training; when I worked out every couple of days or so, I could easily max out the Universal bench pressing machines (at 320 lbs. or so, much more than I weighed), leg presses, etc. I looked more like a weightlifter than a bodybuilder. (Weightlifters are bulkier while bodybuilders have more defined physiques). I didn't really do weights to attract female attention (I'm straight), although I secretly hoped that they would notice. As a geek and a younger college student (I earned my first degree at 19), I've had a modest dating history, but I've struggled with my weight over my adult life. What I've noticed is that young women flirted a lot more when I was at a more normal weight. Whereas I was a couple of inches taller than my Dad, I was a normal height, not tall, which most women seem to prefer.

I have a naturally massive chest (about 56-58 inches), and trying to buy suit coats and dress shirts was a headache. Even with modest workouts I couldn't get my arms into the sleeves and shoulders; I had to buy athletic cut suits (with room for the chest, shoulders and arms, more tapered in the trunk and slacks); I would be lucky if I could find one or 2 suits I could try per store, and even then I would have to have many alterations made. I used to wear suits all the time as a business school student, professor and consultant. Thank God as an IT professional, I can wear business casual. I don't think I've had to buy a new suit in 10 years; I still have a couple I can wear when necessary.

So let's just say I have a little empathy for the problems naturally very well-endowed ladies go through trying to get fitted, (I think, like most guys, I find curves attractive (maybe signifying fertility?), although I've never dated a curvy woman. ) I suspect, though, they would be even harder to fit if they had my rib cage. But seriously, I could do without the bra ads.