So, the News says: If you are ‘fat’, you can’t be fit?

So it has been in the headlines a lot recently about how if you are ‘fat’, you can’t be fit, well I don’t agree with it. 

As someone who is very sports minded and rather active, I must admit I have to disagree. Just because us plus size ladies carry a little extra why does that automatically mean that we are unhealthy and that we cannot possibly partake in any sporting activity.

Now, I have been a sporty person ever since I was a young girl, I mean when it comes to sports I have done a lot over the years;

Hockey

Netball

Cricket
Football
Swimming
Rounders
Athletics
Trampolining
Basketball

I still to this day play Hockey for a local club, I swim on a weekly basis and I am rather active with all the walking I do with my dog. I wouldn’t say that I am unfit, in fact I would say that I am quite fit, yes I probably could be fitter but I am happy with who I am.

I used to regularly go to the gym which I unfortunately had to stop due to the EXTORTIONATE monthly cost! When I was going, I didn’t always have the best experiences, normally, I am sorry to say, was in the changing rooms from other females. I never used to say anything when I would hear them talking about me, laughing and joking saying horrible things like ‘did you see her on the treadmill’ because for me it just wasn’t worth it. Except for one day, after I had been for a workout, I decided to go for a swim and jump into the hot tub for a little TLC. I wore a bikini. When I was getting changed out of my bikini and into my clothes, all I heard from behind me was ‘eurgh, look at that. How could she wear a bikini’. I left it, but it carried in, comments were made about my size, that I don’t belong in the gym, that girls my size shouldn’t wear swim wear, let alone lycra in the gym. On this particular occasion, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I turned to these two girls, who were giggling to themselves and politely asked, why they found it acceptable to talk about me within earshot, what made them qualified to decide that I shouldn’t be allowed to wear a bikini and lycra, and finally why does my acceptance of myself to wear these items intimidate them so much. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a reply to any of my questions and they just slinked off.

There are so many stereotypes when it comes to being plus size and sporty and I think over the last year or so, there have been so many videos and amazing inspirational women who have come to light, there are now plus sized Ballerina’s, plus sized street dancers, plus sized swimmers.

Everywhere you look there is someone who is on the plus size scale who is breaking the stereotypes and making the way for a whole new generation of self love and body acceptance.

I find it so frustrating that people automatically assume because you are larger you can’t run, come on what is that about? Just because my thighs are thick doesn’t mean they don’t work the same as someone who has slimmer thighs. Just because I don’t have a washboard stomach, doesn’t mean I am going to sink when I get into the swimming pool. I am fat, I am active, I am fit, I enjoy going out and being active and oddly enough I can do exactly the same as women half my size, some things I can even do better. So my message to those who think you can’t be fat and fit is GET OVER IT! There are more important things to worry about in life than if this fat girl can run or not!

Over and out

Emma K
Model, Pageant Princess & Sporty Girl

Lifestyle not Looks! - Guest Post

So, the other day, I posted a ‘progress pic’ of myself on my Insta Story, having finished my first post-partum round of the Shaun T fitness programme, Focus T25.

Next thing I know, there’s a private message in my inbox from a lady, who we shall call ‘Monica’. Monica felt it her duty to ask me ‘why are you working out already’ and tell me that I ‘shouldn’t be worrying about all that nonsense or what I look like and just worry about taking care of my baby…’
I thanked Monica for her kind advice (which I didn’t ask for) and concern but reassured her that I am working out because I enjoy it and I AM looking after my baby (who’s over 7 months old btw, not exactly newborn!).

Two things here:

1. Why do people like ‘Monica’ feel the need to question other people’s motives for keeping fit and healthy and
2. Does having a baby automatically bar a woman from wanting to keep fit and healthy?

Although I didn’t feel the need to justify myself to Monica, her comments did get me thinking. She asked me why am I working out. It’s as though she made the assumption that I am doing it for vanity or because I care about losing baby weight.

The honest truth is, I enjoy exercise. Actually, I’ll rephrase that – I don’t enjoy the exercise itself, but I enjoy the feeling it gives me after I finish a workout. Some people get their oxytocin from coffee or Nutella; I get mine from a good, beastly workout! I enjoy the feeling of my muscles strengthening and the feeling of getting fitter and healthier. I worked out before I had my baby for these same reasons. Primarily, I do it because I want to stay healthy and fit because for me, there’s so many diseases out there ready to take your life so I need to be as fit and healthy as I can be to fight them off!

5 months post-partum, after one round of Focus T25:

It’s for these same reasons that I try to eat as healthy as possible. I don’t deprive myself though because Baileys, Tiramisu and Mac n Cheese make me happy! But, for the most part, I enjoy eating healthy food because it makes me feel good. If I eat crap all the time, I feel crap both physically and mentally, having undone all my hard work from exercise.

Far too often, people make assumptions about other people regarding health and fitness. They think that, just because you workout and eat healthy food, you’re trying to ‘get skinny’ or you’re ‘obsessed’. Truth is, the last reason I exercise and eat well is because of how I look. I don’t aspire to be or look like anyone other than my best self. I’m more concerned with what my body looks like inside than how it appears to others. Sure, I have days where I feel like I’m carrying a food baby or my top button doesn’t do up nicely but that’s just human. I’ve done the whole strict eating clean, detoxing and ‘get ripped’ thing and, whilst I felt triumphant at the fact I had visible abs and was lean AF, I really just wanted to eat a bowl of apple crumble with ice cream most days. I wasn’t really happy.

Too much emphasis is put on what we look like as opposed to how we feel. I truly believe that if you FEEL good, you will LOOK good. We have enough to worry about with work, family, friends, relationships, kids, money etc, without adding unrealistic expectations of ourselves into the mix.
So to all the ‘Monicas’ out there…instead of making the assumption that people workout and eat well because they have some sort of obsession or want to change how they look, consider the fact that trying to stay fit and healthy can be a lifestyle choice and rather than being a burden or punishment, it can actually make people happy. That’s what it does for me!

Kerry
PP Guest Post - www.kerrys2cents.com

Online Shopping - Not just for Norm.

Online Shopping. A necessity for some, a convenience for others.

For me it opened up a new world as I'm plus size. Whatever that means? Plus size is an often used phrase to describe people who don't fit into the norm.

Whatever the norm is?

I've heard that on the high street plus size can be anything from size 12 up. I considered myself slim when I was a size 12! Now due to hyperthyroidism I'm a size 24. I knew of only two stores that held my size one for everyday, reasonably priced clothing, Evans and the other Box 2 (aka Bakou) a single store in Wimbledon village or online. So that was my limited knowledge until I started looking around for more classic styles and 'baggy' tops to wear around the house or generally for comfort.

I started to expand (outwards) 8 years ago shortly after I was diagnosed as hyperthyroid, but little did I realize how it would affect my life, the way I was perceived by 'jo public' and the lack of feminine styles including underwear available to the plus size woman. I was astounded! My late husband simply didn't care. He loved me no matter what my clothing size said. I was safe and confident with him. But then he died in September 2015 and my confidence left with him. I was alone, I was overweight and I felt ugly and unhappy. Shouts from drivers as I walked down the road "Alright rent a tent" was one which hit me so hard, I cried. So I vowed to dispense with the flowing long dresses which hid my shape and were, to be honest, unsightly. So I investigated on the internet. Who knew there were so many. I found a style called 'Lagenlook', pretty out there but different. If I was going to reinvent my look I may as well try them all - right?

After ordering from Scarlett and Jo last year I joined the big shoot in April. it opened my eyes to wonderful possibilities and introduced me to other plus size women with an amazing list of fashion houses and suppliers for the plus size woman, in all products ranges. Some of those women became my friends and together we set up Positively Perfect. It was perfect - for me. Just the kick I needed and I will forever be grateful to them all for their help, love and inspiration.

Underwear continues to be an issue as larger sizes are seldom in the sale and a cheap size 42g bra is inevitably upwards of £38. I found a supplier in Burton upon Trent:

www.dawntildusklingerie.co.uk

Who sells prior year styles much cheaper, that helped but something pretty, low cut for a low v neck dress, is virtually impossible. Then I discovered Ann Summers sell really pretty bras with deep low cut that are comfy and do hold 'the girls' up! Take a look!!! You'll be surprised.

I thus have become an online shopper and I love it! From Asos to Marks and Spencer online, Simply Be to Yours these are for everyday looks.

www.ladyvlondon.com

www.lindybop.co.uk

But then there's Lady V and Lindybop for something a little more Vintage inspired. I'm addicted to finding new and different looks.

No squeezing into a little changing room with clothes I simply know aren't going to fit. No panic attacks when trying on and wondering if I'll get out of it without ripping something. No dirty looks as I enter a store from the staff (shades of Pretty Woman, lol). I can try it on at home and if it doesn't fit or looks awful on, it's only me who knows. And I can send it back!

Just type plus size in your search engine - join me on the trail for fashion satisfaction and if you're not happy - well write to the supplier. That's the only way it's going to change.

Happy shopping.

Jan
Founder Member, Model, Chief spellchecker and Mumma Chick.

So as you learned earlier in my meet the founders blog. Last year I embarked on a trying to improve the way I see and think of myself.

As part of this I entered MBBC as Mrs Derby Curve that is taking place on 5th August this year in Maidstone.

There are 4 Rounds so 4 Different outfits and to be honest my clothes obsession is one of the reasons I entered hehe

The rounds are as follows but not necessarily in this order.

Round 1 Red White or Blue shorter length dress Yep already have a few beautiful red dresses so check.

Round 2 Glitz and Glamour .Easy I have a beautiful dress that my Mum bought me for Christmas.

Round 3 Swimwear hmm this one is a bit tricky but still I have loads of swimwear and I have bought a gorgeous suit just for this.

So sounds like I am on a role right? Wrong and you may also be wondering why am I talking about this here?

Well Plus sized Evening gowns that's why?!

I was soooo excited about getting to wear a glamorous evening gown for the final outfit. I have longed to wear a beautiful sparkly creation. Something Mermaidy and gorgeous and there are loads of shops that cater to my needs. Well they would if I was a size 12.

The first actual shop I went to was a lovely shop in Rotherham .

They have the most amazing wedding dresses to suit all kinds if budgets. They also have Prom dresses and Bridesmaid dresses and I was told these all went upto plus sized.

I found the Most amazing dress. It was £220 which was a lot of money but OMG I needed it. I had a chat with Jonas and we discussed the cost but because it was sooo gorgeous we decided we were just going to go for it.

The sales assistant went away to check if they had my size and was gone for ages.

After about 10 mins we went to find her. She was busy with another client. She had forgotten about us?! Really am I that easy to forget?

Anyway she went into the computer and discovered my beautiful dress only went upto an 18.

She patted me on the arm and said oh thats because girls who wear prom dresses are usually 16 then looked me up and down! Rude or what?

The next shop we went to was in Cannock and suposedly stocked dresses upto a 32. I excitedly went in. There were loads of totally gorgeous dresses.

I asked the sales assistant if they were all available up to a size 32? She looked me up and down and said No. We have a very select few and we cant order them you have missed the cut off until next year.

She showed me 1 dress in a baby pink colour which was really frumpy if a bedazzled gown could be such a thing then said this one is a 26 so will be too small for you but I think we night be able to make it bigger.

OMG This shop had any beautiful dress you could ever dream of but the only one that would fit me was hideous.

Next stop was Burton to a Wedding and Prom dress Factory shop also promising plus sizes.Again they had amazing dresses and in actual fact the one I had in my mind when I imagined a beautiful gown. But guess what? They only have the sizes they have and cant order any larger in.
They had 1 dress that was remotely my size which I tried on but it wasn't the one.  I was definitely not saying yes to that dress.

So here I am in need of a Beautiful gown that would make Cinderella,Belle and the little mermaid Jealous but cant find one I can try on.
So I have resorted to ordering one online and I am sat here baited breath waiting for it it come.

I am keeping my fingers toes and eyes crossed that it is like the picture and is decent fabric and more importantly fits.

So if anyone knows of anywhere I can buy an off the peg dress that would fit me please let me know and for any shop owners or designers reading this I think you could be onto a winner if you start making plus size twinkly prom dresses.

I will keep you posted on the next instalment of the Evening gown wars lol


Katie
aka KitEH. Founder Member, Model, Vintage Lover & Glitter Queen.