Chronicles of a Curvy Girl with Christelle
To lose weight or not to lose weight? That is the question. Sometimes it feels like fitness and plus size don’t go together, as if the two are mutually exclusive. With the rise in blatant fatphobia online, in-store, and everywhere in between, just existing in a larger body can feel like an act of resistance. So, when someone chooses to go all-in with their fitness journey, it might be out of self-protection, rebellion, or even self-love. But even within the plus size community, there’s tension. Some people feel uncomfortable or even disappointed when others start to lose weight. Why is that? And more importantly, who decides what fitness means for us?
The Miseducation of the Masses on Fitness and Plus Size Bodies
Fitness has become more of an aesthetic than a lifestyle. It’s often pursued for vanity instead of health, which is neither here nor there for most people, unless you’re fat. That’s why when a plus size fitness girlie puts on a matching gym set, she gets stares, or worse, asked to leave the gym. Meanwhile, a slim-thick influencer is invited to become a brand ambassador. Thinner people are allowed to casually explore fitness with no clear goal in mind. But if you’re in a bigger body, movement is seen as a required punishment, a response to your “problem,” or a requirement to exist. But what if fitness and plus size bodies isn’t about shame or self-hate? What if it’s simply about feeling good, being present in your body, and honoring your health: mentally, emotionally, and physically?
Separation of Self & Body Politics from Fitness
It’s human to want autonomy over your body. And yes, it’s also human to feel a little betrayed when someone you saw as a fellow “fat ally” suddenly joins the thin girl club. They now have access to privileges (like easier dating, increased visibility, better healthcare) you may or may not desire, but can’t ignore. Still, that internal reaction can easily turn into projection. Projection can turn into rejection of self & others regardless of intent. Instead of shaming people for evolving, we should be practicing body neutrality and self-reflection. The world already tries to police everything about our bodies, so let’s not contribute to that control within our own communities.
You Cannot Put a Morality Clause on Movement
Your body should be the least interesting thing about you. It is not inherently good or bad. It simply is. Pursuing wellness doesn’t make you superior. It just makes you someone choosing a path that feels good to you. The real harm comes when society assigns value based on appearance. Look at Lizzo. She’s been both celebrated and demonized, whether at her heaviest or during visible weight loss. A key takeaway? You will never please everyone, so you might as well please yourself. How we think shapes how we act. How we act influences how others feel. And how others feel builds the kind of world we live in. So the question becomes: what kind of world are we building?
Your Movement. Your Motivation. Your Rules.
At the end of the day, it’s a catch-22 when you don’t focus on you. So choose your why and your how for yourself. If you decide to work out, let it be for endurance, joy, strength, release, peace, or whatever you need. Enjoy the journey. Focusing on the good that your body does for you. It doesn’t have to be about weight loss or aesthetics. If taking care of yourself means eating a guilt-free solo dinner or skipping the gym to rest do that too. Because truly…who makes the rules anyway? It’s your life. It should be you.
If you want more curvy chronicles, find me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @christelleangelexo.
What are your experiences with fitness and plus size bodies? Let us know in the comments!
See you soon for more Chronicles of a Curvy Girl!
This article, Can You Be Into Fitness & Plus Size? The Reality About Working Out While Fat first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Christelle Anani.
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