Monthly Archives: May 2012

As I was out shopping with Patrick this morning, I became a little pissed that stores don’t think plus size people exercise. I was looking for a certain type of running shirt, the sport goods place around here didn’t have anything bigger than a 2x which I can fit into but for running I would prefer a 3X. We spent a few hours looking for running shirts and a good sports bra. We finally found some things at Walmart, which is not really where I wanted to buy that kind of thing but I couldn’t find them anywhere else. We a went to the sport good store all the women’s active gear is so tiny, so I looked in the men’s stuff which was all 2X. It wasn’t until we stopped at Walmart that we found the type of shirt I wanted in 3X and that goes for the sport bra. The plus size women’s stores didn’t have any sports bras so I ended up settling for one from Walmart. Society apparently thinks all obese people aren’t capable of exercising or running for that matter.

I may not look like a typical runner but I am one. I went out and ran my first 5K yesterday morning and I finished it. I wasn’t even in last place and so what if I had been, I ran and I finished, that’s what is important to me and what makes me a runner. If you are a big girl or guy and enjoy running but face criticism or strange looks as you line up for a race, just say to them, hey big girls (guys) run too! I was comforted by the fact that there was a group of four plus size women running the 5K yesterday. We remained next to them almost the entire 5K but at the end I decided I would pull away because I wanted to complete my goal of finishing in under an hour. I was proud to call these women my running sisters because they weren’t afraid to be out running with everyone else too.  I think the picture below describes the reason I like to run the most. It isn’t about beating others, it’s about beating that little voice in your head that says “you can’t do it” or “time to quit.” The competition in running is always yourself.

Daily Inspirational Quote: “There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me… or leave me. Accept me – or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don’t fit your idea of who I should be and don’t try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad – you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.” ~Stacey Charter

Posted by Bariatric Beginnings in Bariatric Beginnings Tags: 5K, Bariatric Beginnings, bariatrics, big girls run too, gastric sleeve, goals, health, inspirational quotes, loving yourself, motivational blogs, obesity, running, stacey charter, weight loss, weight loss surgery