I got a few questions, from some babes who would rather not be named about confidence and loving yourself. I felt that it was important enough to merit it’s own post, so here we go.

In my experience, the single most important part of living a healthy life is removing the toxic and decidedly unhealthy influence of self-deprecation. Making any changes to your body or lifestyle out of hatred for your current state doesn’t tend to yield many positive results.

In a healthy parent-child relationship, the parent loves the child unconditionally - through all of the many changes and blunders the child experiences. It doesn’t mean that they aren’t ever disappointed or saddened by the child, but they don’t let any of those emotions last and overshadow the love they have for their child.

In this same way, we should love ourselves and our bodies, through thick and thin, literally. Our lifestyle changes should come from a place of love and respect for our bodies. Eat fruit and get active because it will make you feel great, not to punish yourself for gaining a few pounds. This kind of positive mentality will breed good vibes and confidence in all areas of your life. It’s all well and good to make changes, but love yourself before, during and after.

Be gentle with yourself, and love the skin you are you are in. After all, it’s the only one you’ve got!

In light of my less than stellar emotional health today, I thought I’d take a little time to write on self care. I’m no expert, but this is what I know, and how I understand it. 

Self care is simply the steps you take to maintain your health; physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual. The little things you do to keep yourself refreshed, happy, and to help you grow.

In the last few months I have realized that self care is so vital to the quality of life I live. Due to the busy nature of our lives with school, work, children, mourning, celebration, and everything in between and beyond, we sometimes let the things that are important to our well-being and happiness slip through the cracks.

So whatever it is that makes you feel great, promise yourself to do it; at least one or two things for yourself every day. Whether its taking a walk, eating some fruit, reading a book, taking a bubble bath, meditating, or saying a prayer, take a little bit of time to be good to yourself, because you deserve it.

You deserve to be happy.

Here are a couple of articles, just in case:

• Self Care 1
• Self Care 2 

Also, I’m curious, how do you like to self care?

Yesterday, I was sent a question by a lovely lady who asked if I knew what exercises were good for her to start back working out. She is a plus size lady who in the past had an ankle injury, and thus wanted something low impact to start with.

I think walking is so effective, but most people dismiss it as not “intense” enough. Whether it be on a treadmill, or outdoors (which I personally love) find a pace that is comfortable for you and warm up at that pace. After a good five, ten minutes pick up the pace a bit and challenge yourself. Walk places you need to be! Making exercise practical is the perfect way to fit it into your day. 

Dancing is also so underrated as a means of getting fit. Making a playlist that’s, let’s say, 20 minutes long and committing to jamming out to it burns calories and builds endurance! Plus you’re having fun. For me, dancing is not only a way to move, but a way to get in touch with my body, and learn to love it more.

When I first started working out, I loved racquetball. It was fun, and intense, but I set my own pace, so it wasn’t overwhelming. Swimming and biking are also great cardio workouts.

If you have a membership to a gym, I would try the elliptical at a low resistance; it is very low impact which is good for that ankle of yours. And some simple weight lifting; bicep curls, tricep extensions, etc. with a small weight, perhaps 5lbs, in each hand.

What are your favorite exercises? Let me know, add to the list!

This blog has been around for less than 12 hours and already it has 25 followers! I want to thank you guys for taking an interest in HAES and loving your bodies, it’s fantastic!

I also want to thank Marfmellow for following/supporting me, as well as providing a little inspiration.

I hope you guys will ask any and every question you have, and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge. I’d also love to hear what topics you’d like me to post about in addition to the standard fare.

The submission box is also open for stories, articles, pictures, etc. This is a shared space. 

Again, thank you, and welcome! 

M

I’ve always lead a relatively active life; school physical education paired with martial arts made up the largest part of my exercise until I graduated high school.

It wasn’t until I joined a gym for the first time in my senior year that I realized the baggy gym sweats weren’t going to cut it as far as support and comfort for a more intense workout.

When I decided to invest in some proper workout gear, the only things available in my size were absolutely ugly. Why should I be relegated to beige and grey colorways when smaller women are able to sport cute pink and green racerback tanks? 

Simply put, I shouldn’t; I should have gear that fits and is appealing. So I did some research and liked what I found. For your frame of reference, I am 5’6” and a size US 18/20.

Here are some places to find cute workout wear for your larger derrière:

• Old Navy Activewear - I personally own their yoga and compression pants, which I LOVE. They go up to an XXL (fits up to a US 20) in straight sizes that are available in store, and plus size pieces exclusively online for up to a 4x (up to size US 30). They also have great affordable tanks and tees.
• Athleta - another Old Navy/Gap affiliate that offers activewear almost exclusively. They have quality pieces in all styles and colors that go up to a 2x (US 20)
• Columbia Sportswear - has an extended sizing range where I got the best fleece jacket I’ve ever owned. Sizes up to a 3x (US 26)
• Moving Comfort - has a great sports bra finder for up to a 44 band and E cup (DDD)
• Enell - this has been described to me as the ideal sports bra, especially for the larger chested, by many women. I’m personally looking into purchasing one. They have bras for up to a size 52DD!!
• New Balance - has colorful, affordable pieces up to 2x (US 20/22)
• Team Estrogen - lots of under and outer wear options in different lengths and colors in sizes up to 5X!

I think loving the clothes you work out in is a motivating factor in and of itself; it just makes you feel good! I should add that all of these sites have straight sizes as well, so  these resources are for anyone from a size 2 to a size 22 and beyond!