Today’s guest blog post comes from fellow plus size running advocate Jill Angie from across the pond. We had a little misunderstanding a few weeks ago but in the interest of international relations and the good of the plussize running community we are joining forces to help promote a move diverse picture of the running community.
Enjoy
The other day I was out running, enjoying the sunshine, and one of my neighbors called out to me “You’re looking good! I can see how hard you’re trying! Keep up the good work!”
I gave him a cheery “Thank you!” but inside, I bristled. Yes, the sentiment was well-intended. But it stirred up all kinds of thoughts and feelings inside me. Immediately, my mind went to a not-so-nice place:
Just because I’m not thin, he thinks I’m struggling and need encouragement.
I bet he wouldn’t say that to a thinner girl. I’m too fat for anyone to think I’m a real runner.Really? I thought I was done with all that negative self-talk, but it turns out that a friendly compliment from a well-meaning man unearthed all sorts of crap in my mind.
The truth is, sometimes I still struggle to find my place in the running community. Although it might just be my perspective coloring my thoughts, I always feel like people are ‘rooting for me’ rather than just accepting that I will succeed. That somehow I need their extra support to get me through. Don’t get me wrong – I love any and all kind words that come my way. But I don’t need them to keep me going. I’ve got this. All on my own.
But really, who can blame someone for cheering on the heavy person who’s out there exercising? The overweight community is underrepresented in the fitness world.
If you Google the phrase “Overweight Woman Running”, 90% of the photos that come up (and that’s excluding the ridiculous cartoons of a fat woman in sweatpants huffing and puffing on a treadmill) show a woman who looks like she is suffering. This infuriates me to no end.
Promoting the concept that overweight people have a hard time exercising is ridiculous. First of all, exercise is hard whether you’re skinny, fat, or anywhere in between – especially when you’re a beginner. And I can think of tons of thin people that suffer their way through every workout. I also know an equal number of overweight people that enjoy each and every workout. Unfortunately, the media paints a picture (thanks, Biggest Loser) that if you’re fat, you must be working out for the sole reason of losing weight, and that it must be so difficult for you that you end up fainting from the exertion.
It’s no wonder the kind gentleman down the street thought he needed to give me a little extra help – he was probably worried I’d end up having a seizure on his front lawn!
All kidding aside, we’ve got to get the message out to the world that your size is not always an indicator of your fitness level. Fat does not equal out of shape, and skinny does not equal athlete. Exercise more than a path to weight loss. People of all shapes and size run marathons, do triathlons, lift weights, kickbox, climb rock walls, and whatever else they feel like doing. Let’s get out there and represent ourselves properly in the media, and support the Fat Girl’s Guide to Running image bank – send in those photos of yourself running or otherwise rocking your workout!
Let’s get out there and represent ourselves properly in the media – post those photos of yourself running or otherwise rocking your workout on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
You can find out more about Jill at www.fabfittraining.com
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