BIG GIRLS DO WORKOUT! Seriously! I hear from gals everyday that they are too big to start working out. That they just want to get their eat on track first, lose about 20 pounds and then they can start walking/exercise. But guess what??? YOU CAN EXERCISE! Your body can do it. YOU NEED TO!
Case in point...THE BIGGEST LOSER! Notice how the trainers to do not take it easy on the contestants on day 1. They push them because they need it. Is it easy? NO WAY! But is it worth it? YES!
Why is exercise so important for plus size ladies?
Because it will help us feel better. I suffered from depression. And most days I would rather lay in bed, watching Netflix then get up and move my body for 30 minutes. To this day I still struggle with it. But when I do exercise, I always feel better. Remember Legally Blond? Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy. Plus when you are feeling happy you are more likely to make better eating choices. During my depression I didn't care what I put in my mouth as long as it helped to make me feel better. See the cycle. Depression= no working out and eating whatever made me feel better. Exercise= happy and better food choices. I am not saying that everyone who is plus sized is depressed but for me this was a huge thing that I never realized until I started reading books that helped me feel better about myself. Call them self help or personal development. It wasn't until I started learning to love myself that I actually realized how unhappy I was with certain things about my life and lifestyle. If you want to start seeing yourself in a different light I highly suggest you check out my favorite positive and badass book to read,
YOU ARE A BADASS! Within the first few pages I promise you, that you will feel amazing about yourself and realize how amazing you are!
So how do you start?
1) Yes changing your diet is the #1 way to start making changes to your lifestyle. Often it is the diet that is the starting point to gaining weight. Eating out too much, or eating the right size portions. These are things that can be learned to change. And this is one of the hardest things to change. Because once a bad day hits, all the urges to eat our "comfort food" hit us in full force. But learning healthy habits is the #1 way you will lose weight. Start by throwing out all the junk foods or processed foods you have in your house. Or eat what you have and don't buy any more. I understand it cost a lot of money to buy it in the first place, but you HAVE TO get that stuff out of your house! Stock your kitchen with apples, veggies that you will actually eat, and start planning out your meals. Go to
Pinterest and look up: HEALTHY DINNERS to start with. Also cutting out pasta, breads and maybe even dairy are a good start. Stick with old fashioned oats as your carbs with your breakfast instead of toast or cereal. And add brown rice or quinoa with your lunch and dinner for your carbs. You can flavor the rice and quinoa with
homemade fajita seasoning, or other seasoning of your choice to give it more flavor. Chicken, turkey and eggs are your best friends and there are tons of great healthy recipes to try out or cookbooks to use. My favorite clean eating cookbook is
FIXATE it goes right along with the 21 day fix program or it works for anything you are doing because it has the nutritional information right along with it!
2) Combining good eating with exercise is the sure fire way to help you tone up your body and get you feeling good. Because you are pumping your body full of more oxygen. And not just walking. Also adding in strength training. Strength training is so important to help your muscles tone up. You will not get bulky. You might gain a little weight in the beginning but over time after regular exercise and training your muscles will tone up and become smaller than they were. It is so important to use measurements and pictures of yourself instead of the weight on the scales. For me, I always lost inches before pounds. My clothing would just fit better but the scale went up 1-2 pounds or barely went down.
3) Set Real expectations and goals. I will always be a plus size lady. It has taken me years to a) accept that fact and b) appreciate it. I do not want to be skinny. It just isn't possible for me. For my body type, or shape. I was blessed with birthing hips and getting to jeans smaller than a size 12 just won't happen. Even in high school at my skinniest I was in size 14 jeans (but they were baggy on me because I refused to wear tight fitting clothing because I thought I was fat!) I am finally okay with that. I have accepted that and honestly, I CAN'T WAIT until I am a healthier and fitter version of myself right now. Right now, I am a healthy and fit plus size lady. I work everyday to better myself mentally and physically. So right now, my goals are to workout at least 5 days a week. 30 minutes a day and eating as healthy as possible.
21 Day Fix has definitely helped me learn what to eat, how much, and to get the right kinds of exercise in to help me lose weight. It is my soul mate workout program and I have never regretted getting hooked on it! Best beginner workout program available!
4) Support! Get support! Have a buddy join you. Or find a group that you can join to help you get that daily motivation and support when you need it. I offer support to those that are wanting it. You can go here to join my
FREE PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP to receive daily motivation, recipes and support. Plus a fun theme week every month on various topics to help you stay motivated and on track with your lifestyle change. Be with people who are going through what you are going through. Whatever keeps you on track is what you need but you are more likely to stick with it if you have a friend to go along with you!
The main thing is, anyone can start exercising. Please don't think you can't because of your weight. You can start now. You can do it. If you want more information about how to get started or anything I talked about here. Please
EMAIL ME and let's chat. Get you started and loving yourself for how you are now!
Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!