5 tips for finding your fitness, no matter your size.
Louise Green, coach, author, activist and athlete
Louise Green is a global fitness coach, activist and author who is changing the narrative and idealistic norms of our fitness culture.
Her fitness career began in 2008 when she opened the first plus-size fitness franchise, Body Exchange.
As an influential changemaker, Louise has helped thousands of plus-size women find their inner athlete and love their bodies. Through speaking, writing, and coaching women online, she has led the charge in creating a more inclusive fitness movement across the world.
Breaking the barriers of traditional fitness, Louise is the first plus-size athlete to be featured in prestigious publications such as Triathlete Magazine, Bicycling Magazine, Canadian Running and Runner's World UK.
Louise is the author of Big Fit Girl and a SELF Columnist.
For over a decade, I have worked with thousands of women who have approached fitness with trepidation. My observations have been that this apprehension is present because much of our fitness culture does not include images of plus-size women in a positive light. Often, plus-size bodies serve as a “before” image in weight loss and gym ads, which often leads to feelings of rejection if you have a body that resembles the previous image.
It's not just about image, it's the lack of diverse fitness services that cater to different body types. It's also the lack of knowledge among trainers on how to adapt exercises for plus-size women.
This lack of representative images in our culture is problematic because it creates fear and intimidation about fitness and also exudes an element of the unknown.
For example, when I started running 15 years ago, I really wasn't sure if I could run because I had never seen a woman with a body like mine in the media or fitness ads. This was before the body positive movement and Instagrammers publicly embracing their curvier bodies. So there was no evidence that I could do it and that left an element of the unknown and many questions.
If we can't see ourselves in certain fitness activities, how can we know that it's possible to be successful?
We don't and we won't until we try, but (spoiler) I have seen thousands of women try boot camps, weight training, running, walking, triathlons and with the right support and training they have SUCCESS. I am here to tell you it can be done.
However, not everyone wants to run a race or complete a triathlon and that's okay.
In a recent coaching session with a client, we discovered that any sense of competition in her fitness routine was actually discouraging her from wanting to participate. It took her years to realize that competitiveness was a major deterrent to her adherence. While others, like me, thrive on healthy competition. Some people prefer intense workouts and some prefer more moderate or gentle activity. There is no right or wrong answer.
Finding the right program for you depends not only on your interests, but also on your personality type and how what motivates you to succeed works.
Here are some tips for finding YOUR fitness program (no matter your size).
Going for a run or going to the gym should never be a requirement. If this fitness activity is going to be a sustainable part of your life, it needs to be fueled by more than just “shoulds.” It needs to be something you truly enjoy and want to keep coming back to. Exercise is not a requirement. When we stop seeing it as a requirement and instead see it as a choice, exercise makes us feel better and gives us a four-fold chance of living longer and healthier.
2. Think about your childhoodWhen I am faced with a client who has no idea what interests her when it comes to physical activity, I ask her to think about what she enjoyed when she was younger. Children are drawn to their authentic interests without bias (that comes later in life). If you can ride a bike or swim in the lake, you can do it for hours without feeling tired, it may be time to revisit your passions.
3. ExperienceIf you don't know what physical activity really speaks to you, I recommend trying anything and everything. Eliminate what you don't like and take note of what makes you feel on top of the world! Remember that ballroom dancing, gardening, walking are all activities that constitute physical movement. It doesn't have to be something that magazines can promote like running, power yoga or CrossFit. Have fun, be curious and experiment, think outside the box.
4. Evaluate your successI always say that after every workout, no matter what type, you should feel good. Avoid taking a fitness class that you can't keep up with and/or where you feel ashamed of your body, because that's when you're likely to give up. Feeling successful should be part of the longevity equation. We may not be experts at the very beginning, but we should feel like we're progressing, achieving, and coming back to it willingly. If you often feel unsuccessful after a while, cross it off the list and try something new.
5. Find a social elementStudies have shown that when there is a social element to exercise, the chances of longevity increase dramatically. Experiment with different groups like a walking club, a swimming class, a running group, or a dance class. I have participated in many running groups over the years and now some of my best friends are running partners. Great friendships have developed through running. When you are part of a group that you enjoy and that looks forward to you every week, the chances of continuing and enjoying the training process are much more likely.
Once you find the right exercise for you, you won't want to go back! Remember to choose an activity that celebrates and works for your body. Surrounded by people who are supportive and enjoy the process. Good luck!
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