Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1895 — HOW TO GROW THIN. [ARTICLE]

HOW TO GROW THIN.

Instruction for Stout Persons to Reduce Flesh. It is all very well to laugh at the absurdity of sighing over growing old. but there are very few women who are sufficiently philosophical not to be a little chagrined at the advance of years showing itself plainly id face or figure. There would seem to be two distinct types of American women—those who grow stout as they grow older, and those who grow thin. It is ali very well to say that the face looks better when it is plump than when it is thin, but every pound of additional avoirdupois certainly adds to a woman’s age in appearance at least, while the woman who does not grow Btout rarely changes much in appearance from thirty-five to fifty. There are many physical reasons which induce added flesh, and we are told that the figure settles as one grows older; but it is this very settling that all women are anxious to avoid, and there is really no necessity for it whatever. Steady banting always has the desired result in so far as the reducing of flesh is concerned, but there are other results far from satisfactory which are apt to accompany it, and very often ill health and irritable nerves are the outcome of trying to grow thin. The avoiding of starchy food is a simple matter, and by not eating potatoes and bread very often an astonishing difference in weight is soon perceived. Certain salts, which, however, should never be taken except under the ordors of one’s physician will sometimes start a disposition to lose flesh, which if followed with giving up potatoes and bread, will work marvelous results. Indolence, one of the greatest factors in increasing weight, lies within the powor of every woman to correct. It is so much the fashion now to take oxerclse that there is no excuSo for being lazy. It is impossible for some women to walk a great deal, but a certain amount of regular exercise will benefit even the most delicate. Sitting invariably produces fat and fat just where one does not want it—about the stomach and hips. When one bogins to lose flesh —and this can bo ascertained by being weighed every wpok—a littlo massage will be found a great help. The masseuse, if she understand her business, will soon be able to tell whero the superfluous flesh is, and will direct her energies to the particular place or places. Of course massage is an expensive luxury, but it is not a thing that neods to be continued, and a few hours will often work a wondrous change. For instance, one hour three times a week for a fortnight has been known to reduce tho size of the waist half an inch. Standing erect with the hands pressed well down on the hips and then, with the hands still kept on the hips, bending the body forward, backward, and sideways several times, twico a day, will also work off accumulated fat about the hips and stomach. But this exercise must be conscientiously persovered in.