When you look good, you feel good. This is a very common saying, but what does this actually mean? Who’s standards of good are you measuring this against? Any answer other than your own is wrong, and this is where body positivity came from.
We have the ability to become whoever we want to be, simply by changing our mindset. If you have gained and lost weight noticeable weight in the past, the most important takeaway is that you are still the same person with the same good heart. Our physical appearance is just that, an appearance. The minute that we decide to choose a positive outlook on our bodies, no matter what, our mental health soars.
Overweight people are one of the most overlooked oppressed groups of people. We are paid less than our counterparts, particularly women. What has started as mean kids in school has now gone into the workplace in our adulthood, and we have to do something about it.
"Fat jokes" are not funny because they're at the expense of someone else; fat jokes are meant to negatively affect others because there is still negative connotation with the word fat. When you hear it, call it out and encourage others to do the same. We think we should embrace FAT, and use the word more freely! It's a great way to start to truly make change in our community.
Thankfully, society has woken up and are starting to recognize the disparity that fat people face, and place a level of importance on it. Representation is very important, and representation of different body shapes are needed. Not all fat women have the same thick hourglass body shape we see online and in magazines, and now on the runway.
We come in apple, pear, and strawberry shapes too - and we're desperately wanting to see the diversity here as well. When you put on your Tribe 35 Body Shaping Leggings, your natural shape will transform into an hourglass silhouette or will accentuate an hourglass figure even more. We don't need to lose weight to get the body shape that we want, we just need high quality compression leggings with thoughtful structure.
We still have a lot of work to do. While influencers like Tess Holliday, Anna O'Brien, and Gabi Fresh have paved the way for confidence no matter our size, body shaming still exists.
Heading to the beach this summer? Girl, we hope so! Every body is a beach body!
Grab your favorite sexy summer style from Coco et Dolce and get some sun and salt water on the beach or take the kids to their favorite amusement part. Face those scary situations head on. Unsure of what I mean?
Raise your hand if the thought of going to the beach or amusement park fills you with anxiety. Standing in a long line only to get to the front with hundreds of people watching you squeeze into the seat, pull the harness down over your head and shoulders, and not be able to lock it closed. Please speak up to management if this happens to you, and demand the equality we deserve.
Airlines eventually listened - Jet Blue seats are slightly larger than the average economy class seat, at 18.4 inches. They even offer premium economy class, for a small price increase, they get a 38 inch pitch and priority boarding. Even more amazing is that in 2018, they announced that they do not require passengers to purchase an additional set. Talk about a step in the right direction!
Be proud of who you are and love ALL of you, no matter what size you are. That detail is so menial, it really should not even be mentioned. Looking forward to a society in which ones physical size is less of a conversation. Our mental health deserves it.
]]>Believe it or not, a lot of people are actually searching for whether or not plus size models workout online. The general public truly does not know that if you have some extra cushion for the pushin’, you still exercise. Even more, they’re unsure of whether a professional that uses their appearance to make a living actually takes steps to manage their appearance.
**THIS SHOULD NOT BE A SHOCKER**
The average American woman is now considered “plus size”, but we are still using these terms to segregate categories of women based upon their waistline. It is absolutely ridiculous, so hopefully this article stops the searching.
Yes, plus size models workout. Or better yet, models do workout.
Their rigorous schedules, like making it to set at 5am, being in hair and makeup for two hours, then begin photographed and filmed for eight-hours straight, require high energy. In order to maintain a healthy and firm body, and keep high energy, curvy models have to watch their eating habits and workout regularly. Keeping your sexy curves is just as hard as having a flat stomach. Proper nutrition plays a big role, and so does the consistency of moving your body 35 minutes per day.
This is also a great time to pause and address the elephant in the room - the shape of popular plus size models. We’re looking at hourglass figures, tiny waists in comparison to the hips and breasts, and little to no cellulite on large, plump, and firm extremities. It’s the Marilyn Monroe look on a larger body, what is seen as desirable to men and women, is accentuating the “feminine” aspects on a body.
There’s no problem with this, except the reality is that most plus size women are not shaped like an hourglass. We’re shaped like apples and pears and strawberries, and we want to know what that dress is going to look like on someone shaped like us! We also want to know that we will look and feel desired in our clothing. The Curvy Fashionista shows us 6 plus size apple shaped influencers giving us the virtual representation we've been longing for - we are here for it!
This is where fashion brands drop the ball, they do not take into consideration the vast shapes of our bodies once we hit that 1X size. A pear shaped body that is a size small or medium looks very different from a pear shaped 3X or 5X because the composition of where our weight falls depends upon our activity levels and our genetics.
It’s why many fashion brands have steered away from truly designing for plus size women, the expense of testing so many different variations to ensure a beautiful fit is financially and emotionally demanding. I encourage you to support brands that take this extra step in product development and testing, like we do with Tribe 35 plus size leggings.
Plus size models may also be fit models, where the consistency of their measurements over time is crucial to the success of a clothing brand’s development. Similar to a boxer “making weight”, fit models want to maintain their measurements for their clients needs.
An aspiring plus size model?
Here are some popular workouts for endurance building:
Here are some popular workouts for strength building and increased stamina:
Here are some popular stretching routines for increased flexibility:
If you're not the next Ashley Graham, that's OK, sis! You should still development a self care routine that leaves you feeling fulfilled and refreshed. No matter your circumstances, Tribe 35 wants you to take care of yourself.
We want you to dedicate 35 minutes of each day to your self care, whatever that looks like, for YOU. Sometimes it will be a power walk in your neighborhood, or a long bubble bath, or deciding to actually read that book on your nightstand that's collecting dust.
Do you workout for your self care? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>The term plus size has become bothersome as society thankfully becomes more accepting of the anyone who is not a straight, white male. It attempts to divide women based upon their size by establishing what is average. Back in the day, perhaps they felt it would motivate women to lose weight if they were categorized outside of just “womenswear”.
Have you ever noticed the term plus size is not used to describe larger menswear? The term stemmed from the 1920’s with the launch of Lane Bryant, a brand for ‘stout women with a bust size over 38”’. This century old phrase has become overused and now even describes activities that larger women participate in.
Plus size exercise is one of them.
Exercise is exercise is exercise is exercise… and so on. It is that simple.
When a woman who identifies as plus size loses weight, her identity is now in question internally. As a society, we measure the success of someone’s life by their size. The hardest part is that an entire life is judged by a variable.
Women around the world are in social and therapy groups related to their weight. If we stop and think about how damaging that mindset is, it makes you want to re-evaluate what “average” really is. Society has told us that the “average” woman today is a designer size 12. Well, according to a 2018 study in the International Journal of Fashion Design, the average size of a woman is 16-18.
At a 16-18 you are likely considered obsese or morbidly obese at the doctors office. You are likely criticized for being that size, and told to eat less and move more. Please keep in mind, this is the average, which means there are hundreds of thousands of women over a size 18.
It seems as if “straight sizes” are now the minority, so why do we still tack the term plus size onto everything? Not everyone is meant to be a size 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or even a 12. Not everyone wants weight loss, many people just want to feel good.
So, what is plus size exercise? It does not exist. Glitters and Lazers uses her platform for workout motivation and shows us that we can do everything smaller people can do. Health and wellness does not have a weight requirement - to be healthy is not to be 125 pounds and have a 30” waistline.
That same 30” waistline could have the most unhealthy habits, never exercise, and could care less about what they eat. To be healthy is to be well in the mind, body, and spirit. That could look like 150 pounds or 300 pounds.
We need representation of all body sizes in fitness and health. Dwight Holt Jr., founder of Dance Your Pounds Off, travels all over the country, gathering women of all sizes and backgrounds together for high impact dancing that has gone viral. This is the type of action needed to move our mission forward: changing the face of fitness. Subconscious messages everywhere tell us that if you are a larger woman, you do not deserve the better things in life. It also supports stereotypes that if you are not a size 6, you don't care as much about yourself. You don't watch what you eat, you're lazy, you work for minimum wage, etc.
Here are just a few areas where society can improve first:
It is uncommon to have abs, it is common to have fat rolls. It is uncommon to workout 7 days per week, it is common to commit to 35 minutes of movement a few days per week. It is uncommon to snap back after giving birth, it is common to struggle with losing the baby weight postpartum. Let’s normalize, normal.
What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below!
]]>During the cold winter, the feeling of depression seems to sink deeper, and there’s a reason for this. Our bodies use sunlight to keep our sleep, appetites, and moods stable. When our access to sunlight is reduced, our body clocks are disrupted and we feel tired and eventually, depressed. However, this is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Depression is experienced year round, no matter the weather or circumstances.
Something that depresses us is the continued lack of mainstream media coverage for plus size fashion, but feeling depressed and having depression are also two different things. We all have something that we do not like about ourselves, and past, present, and future situations that are stressful. Sometimes, all it takes is one word or look or circumstance to take us over the edge.
Depression affects 4.7% of adults aged 18 and over in the United States, that percentage numerically is 8.5 million people - you are not alone. It is NORMAL to ask for help. Here are some signals that you need to seek outside help:
If you are battling depression, please know that you will get through it; you are not alone. Do not take depression lightly as it is a serious mental illness. Mental Health America has a free, confidential Depression Test that you can take to share with your physician or healthcare provider to get the treatment you deserve and need.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national helpline that is confidential, free, and 24/7 someone will answer your call 365 days of the year. SAMHSA provides a list of local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
When we interact with others, our feelings of loneliness disappear. Remember that the groups that are recommended for you do not make you weak for needing them, they make you strong for attending.
Try getting out of your comfort zone and make your interactions with others in passing a little more involved. Not sure what we mean? Here are two examples of interactions when you have a low life condition vs. a high life condition.
You are in line at the grocery store.
Scenario A
Woman Behind You: Oh wow! Those are some cute leggings! Where did you get them if you don’t mind me asking?
You: Thanks, got it from Tribe 35.
You checkout and leave the store.
Scenario B
Woman Behind You: Oh wow! Those are some cute leggings! Where did you get them if you don’t mind me asking?
You: Thank you! I got it from Tribe 35. They just launched a bunch of cute designs for curves and they specialize in plus size leggings, it’s worth a look.
Woman Behind You: I’ve been looking for good plus size leggings. I actually was shopping for some with my sister last month, and it was the last time we were together before she passed away.
You: I am so sorry for your loss. I recently lost someone close to me as well.
You exchange phone numbers, make a plan for coffee, and now have a new associate that could turn into a friend. You didn’t even get a chance to go negative mentally, because you made a genuine connection with another person in a similar situation and stayed present.
What did you think of the two scenarios? Did you see the light? Please share in the comments below.
If you know of someone who may benefit from this information, please share.
]]>Unfortunately, plus size women get assigned all types of stereotypes, from being lazy and unkempt to being unhealthy with poor eating habits. That’s far from the case. I, for one, prioritize health & wellness and self-care.
And I’ll have you know that each one of my rolls is scrubbed, cleansed, moisturized, and oil-downed to perfection. I meet with my trainer at least once a week and I’ve adopted healthy eating habits. Oh, and I can’t keep men out of my DM’s.
Finally embracing the body I’m in has been a journey, but I’m grateful that I didn’t let the opinions of others scare me into oblivion.
Today, I want to talk to you about self-care. This topic is paramount in the lives of all women, no matter their size. However, today is dedicated to my baddies whose scales runneth over.
I see you on the gram and TikTok giving everyone a run for their money and slaying every “I’m So Pretty” Challenge. It feels great that there’s corrective promotion in the mainstream for plus-size women and most importantly fashion options. No more moo moo and mom jeans for us. We’ll have what Ms. Size 4 is wearing if it’s in our size with a good stretch!
All jokes aside, as plus size women, now isn’t the time to play it small (yes pun) in life nor in health & wellness. Below are gentle reminders of ways to maintain confidence, self-care, and most importantly self-love.
Practice Body Positive Self-Talk
Nothing screams “I have a self-deprecating attitude” more than the statement, “I’m so fat.” Umm, so are a lot of us. But See Jane Run. See Jane Run Her Businesses. See Jane Slay Every Look.
Talk nice to yourself, Chica. And I must admit, the plus size community has some interesting and funny sayings:
The list goes on and on.
You have to reprogram your mind to undo all the years of ridicule in your personal life and mainstream when it comes to your weight. Remember, outsiders’ words and opinions don’t define you. And don’t be quick to make “fat jokes” about yourself as a defensive mechanism and to make others around you comfortable. F*** Them!
Update Your Wardrobe
Gone all the days when you had to starve yourself to fit into that "perfect dress.” Hon, there are perfect dresses in YOUR size. And the tailor is your friend--- whatever garment needs to be tucked in or let out, they're the person for the job. You don’t have to wear sweats all day or God-awful mom jeans. Girl, you have options.
Take pride in your appearance. Always look well put together. Use a belt or an undergarment that keeps everything in place.
Get Annual Physicals and Check-Ups.
While everyone is worried about the number on the scale, there are other values we should be concerned with. I’m not a medical professional; however, I know that having consecutive blood pressure readings of 140/90 and over, without being diagnosed with hypertension, is cause for alarm. During an annual exam, doctors may check your A1C, a lab value that measures if you’re prediabetic or diabetic. According to the American Diabetes Association, an A1C under 5.7 is ideal. And for the ladies who have trouble losing weight, perhaps you have underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, which can affect food metabolism. Please consult your doctor when you don’t feel at your optimum and get the necessary blood work and tests to help reveal the cause.
Remain Physically Active
No one is telling you to sign up to run a marathon; however, power walking and running are good for heart health. Also, exposure to the sun’s rays while outdoors produces Vitamin D in our bodies, which is needed for bone health. Zumba, Yoga, and Pilates are plus size girl-friendly. Incorporating more movement in your schedule promotes better sleeping habits, mental well-being, and lowers the risk of developing certain health conditions. It helps if you have the best plus size activewear like Tribe 35’s high impact sports bra, The Double Support Sports Bra.
Don’t Be Anyone’s Fetish
The more I think about it, the term, “Big girls need love too” is a smack in the face. It sounds like big girls are begging to be picked and loved. As if we’re supposed to be someone’s second or third pick. And don’t get me started with the whole, “I’ve never dated a big girl before, but you seem cool.” Oh, thank you Mr. Failure to Launch, I Still Live in My Mom’s Basement for your stamp of approval. Then there are men who fetishize plus size women. To them, our body type is only here for "plus size sex" and nothing else. You’re not a person, just a body. If you encounter one of these weirdos, run, girl, run!
Adopt Healthy Eating Habits
Whatever your body goals are, starving yourself won’t lead to lasting, healthy results. Having several small meals a day helps to maintain good metabolism. Meal prep to reduce your chance of choosing certain meals out of desperation and hunger. Increase your water intake to reduce dehydration and to promote healthier-looking skin. Reduce sugar intake to reduce the risk of diabetes and conditions related to obesity. Use supplements to replace vitamins and minerals you’re not getting because of your diet. And if this all feels daunting, hire a nutritionist or a certified personal trainer who can design a meal plan based on your weight-loss and body goals.
Invest in Your Mental Wellbeing
Keep people around you who are good for your mental health and block those who are not—even if it's your own kin. While I’m able to embrace my curves now, there was a time when being this size made me depressed. With all this body-positive talk that’s mainstream now, it’s naïve of us to think that some people are still not feeling the effects of a lifetime of bullying and body shaming. These factors alone could affect plus size women’s mental health and self-confidence. Please seek professional help if you’re depressed or need help unpacking certain things from your past.
I’m one of those people who doesn’t believe in having limitations. Your size doesn’t dictate your level of success. I don’t want women obsessing over having the perfect body and lose sight of their real goals and aspirations.
In the upcoming weeks, I’ll share with you some of the cool things I have for my fellow baddies coming down the pipeline.
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