Tag: plus size

On May 4th 2019 I had the privilege of being a part of the most supportive and accepting athletic activities of my life: The Plus Strut 5K! The Plus Strut, founded by Joy Tribble, is the first 5K for plus size women in North America and it takes place annually in Atlanta Georgia. The first Plus Strut 5K was in 2018 but this year was my first time and I was emotional!

Growing up chubby was hard. I won’t get in to all the gory details but I was laughed at and teased on a daily basis. Gym glass was my waking nightmare! The kids who were fat yet athletic didn’t get made fun of and the kids who were thin but not athletic only got teased a little, but I was  fat and horrible at sports and therefore, the perfect combination for bullies. I was a slow runner, had weak wrists, and always coward when a bal came my way. Let’s just say I was a lot better at reading than I was at kickball! Even though I enjoyed being active and outdoors I would dread physical activity with my peers because I would get yelled at and called names for not being good at it and my chubby body was blamed. I not only felt inferior in my athletic abilities but also in my appearance.

After years of this emotional abuse that was ignored and sometimes encouraged by the adults I was supposed to be able to trust, I developed a lot of anxiety about exercising with others. I would opt for working out at the gym solo during hours that weren’t busy or doing a home arobics  video. I had walked a few 5Ks before for charity but felt so anxious and out of place that I didn’t enjoy myself at all. But in the past couple of years I began a self love journey that has been so healing and empowering. I truly feel at peace with my body. When I was asked to be an ambassador for the Plus Strut 5K I jumped at the chance thinking those fears from my past were behind me! That wasn’t completely true.

The night before the race I was sick to my stomach with nerves. I was thinking up excuse to get me out of it. A migraine, my period, diarrhea, ANYTHING. It sounds ridiculous but if you struggle with anxiety you understand that fight or flight instinct: I was ready to fly my ass right outta Atlanta! But as I was laying in bed in our Air Bnb I thought about my thousands of followers whom I preach body acceptance to everyday. I thought about my two amazing friends and supportive boyfriend who came to support this amazing event. I thought about the other women who would be strutting with me who are also scared. Finally I thought about chubby, sad, 9 year old Lexi and how much she needed a community like this. I decided that no matter how nervous I was I would chose to be brave and follow through. This was my chance to be the change I wish to see in the world , even if it’s in a small way.

Boy am I happy I didn’t give up! Words cannot truly describe how validating it is to be surrounded by women who look like you, are cheering you on, and leaning on each other. At The Plus Strut I witnessed more sisterhood and positivity than I have my entire life. Some of us were fast, some of us were slow. Young and old, different races, various shapes, multiple  levels of physical ability and all sisters in this journey of self love and respect. We laughed, cried, danced, and celebrated each other! Just when I wasn’t sure if I could kee going, a woman would tell me “you’re doing great, you got this!”. When I finished as one of the very last to cross the finish line, I was met with the same level of enthusiasm and congratulations as if I’d fished in first place! I felt seen, represented and like I truly belonged.

May 2nd 2020, save the date! That’s when we will be strutting next, and I want you all strutting by my side. As The Plus Strut slogan says, this ones for us!