KICK ASS PLUS-SIZE ACTIVE WEAR: IT TOTALLY EXISTS

(Congolese dance class with Anton. Photo via AZ Daily Star.)

Whenever you discuss the combination of fat people and exercise, you're almost guaranteed to hear an opinion along the lines of: those two words don't belong in the same sentence! I love to bash fatty myths so lets hang this one out to dry: the idea that all large people are sedentary and live life free of exercise is a load of baloney. 

Throughout my body lovin' travels, I've met many many many people that live a physically rigorous lifestyle in addition to many plus-advocates that teach it. Louise Green is a perfect example and one of my favorite humans. She is a proud athlete, runs a training program called Body Exchange and is constantly participating in half marathons, hiking the North Shore mountains in Canada and is now currently producing a plus-size fitness video.  She is self proclaimed: fit and fat, which is more common than you'd believe. She wrote an incredible article for the Huffington Post called This Is What An Athlete Looks Like, and I'd suggest that you read it. Like, now. I, personally, love dance classes. What started as shakin' it to *Nsync at middle school dances became a serious commitment to dance classes in college and now I find solace in African inspired dance classes taught by none other than the magnificent Jade Beall herself. So yeah. Lots of fat bodies move all the time.

BUT HERE'S THE THING: even though we've dispelled the myth that large bodies don't exercise, retailers haven't caught on and our plus-size options of workout wear are... well. Underwhelming.

When we can find viable options, they often roll down our waists, cut into our sides, or display some other malfunction. I know first hand that not having clothing tailored to my large body always left me pulling up my pants in yoga class and losing my focus while doing so.

So thank god for Lola Getts. They found me a couple of years ago and after I tried their clothing once... I was a changed woman. I actually sought them out a few months ago and asked if we could do some sort of partnership; a collaboration where you all get a chance to see that you can have the blessing of having well-fitting workout wear too. Because everyone deserves that shit. I love them for making clothing specifically for curves and are sure to double line the crotch, reinforce the waist, and tame the boobage that likes to flail about while working out. Allowing large gals to have tailored active wear is just another revolutionary step towards dispelling those silly myths that we can't shake things up a bit. Cause we certainly can, and do.

They've become the only company I wear to class now, and it just happened that way. They're what I'm wearing in the top picture by the AZ Daily Star from last April and they're what I wore tonight. I just appreciate having my boobs contained and not having to constantly readjust the goddamn crotch. Y'knowwhatImean?

I know you know what I mean.

Bra-less (UNHEARD OF!) and fancy free at Yarrow's dance class tonight:

And I asked a dance friend to take a picture of my ass in these pants, because lets be honest: it's kind of amazing. 

I'm wearing the Guava top  (which leans towards hot pink IRL, though it's hard to see because: studio lighting) and their basic black yoga pants (in 29 inches instead of 33 because: short.) These fit me like a dream and allow all the movement needed for some ass kicking African dance moves!

Another few favorites that I own: the capris, skorts and black sleeveless top... I love 'em all. 

So, obviously, when I contacted Lola Getts, and asked about hooking you up- they said yes because here we are. So I then asked YOU what you would prefer: a giveaway for a few or a code for all. A CODE FOR ALL you unanimously chanted.

So guess what bitches!?! I HAVE A CODE FOR YOU. Because you're loved. So, so loved. Everything is 35% off on Lola Getts' site with the special code: Jes35 from now until December 25th... so Happy Holidays to you!

Fact: fat bodies deserve endorphins just like every other body. If you wanna read about how I learned this and also how I learned to exercise for the orgasms, I highly recommend you read Exercise Classes and Fat Girl Freak Outs. It's a winner. ALSO, if you're wanting to move your body because you love it, but need permission to do it your way: read this book by Hanne Blank called The Unapologetic Fat Girls Guide to Exercise and Other Incendiary Acts. It's incredible. ALSO, if you just wanna order yoga pants and wear them while enjoying your lazy Sunday... dude. I fully support that too.

YOU DO YOU, y'hear?

So tell me: what have your experiences been with workout wear? Do you know a magic trick that I don't? What are your solutions? Any helpful links?

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THREE REASONS WHY BEAUCOO IS THE SHIT

 

I'm super stoked about this guyz. ^Obviously.

Imma let you in on a secret: there is a magical place on the internet where you can post as many outfit pictures as you like and not feel the least bit vain! In fact, it's encouraged in the name of self love. WHERE IS THIS PLACE GIVE IT TO ME NOW, right? Okay, maybe I'm the only one who talks in all caps, but I'll tell you right now anyways. It's a site called BeauCoo and it's a fashion mecca for any gal of any size. The gist is this: you build your profile with your measurements (boobs/waist/hips/height, all confidential), post clothing you think you look fiiiiiiiiiine in, and share a little about it. Where you got it, what you think, etc. This creates a community of stylin women that you can search through BY YOUR EXACT SHAPE AND SIZE and see what they think about those pieces you've been oogling or maybe even find some new outfits YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. Man, I'm overkill on the capitalization lately. Even on Twitter. I'M SORRY.

There are dozens of reasons I love this website, but three stand out to me. I present: "Three Reasons Why BeauCoo is the Shit". It's legit.

1.) ALL OF THE OUTFIT POSTS. Dear god. I'm sure you've noticed the spike in clothing talk on my blog in the last... well, since I promised it here. There is a good reason for that, as I believe personal style to be both a creative form of expression as well as a political statement. I sometimes wish I could post each outfit I think "HOT DAMN" about when I take it to the mirror, and guess what? Wish granted. You can post every outfit and it's applauded. Add where you got it, and your honest review and other ladies can learn something while browsing. I mentioned to Christian (Co-Founder and Tech Extraordinaire) that my shit is often vintage or thrifted and I wondered if I could include that too. He suggested simply noting where I found it, and if I don't know- saying that too. All of our submissions help create an inspirational place, regardless of the brand.

2.) It's a passion project. Genuine people who dedicate their life to building a more body positive world? Yeah, we're soul mates. Proof below. (Favorite quote "What we want to grow with BeauCoo is an environment where brands start to recognize that they need to show different body types and different body styles." Yes. Yes yes yes.)



3.) It's an app that creates discussion, community building, and... well, it's an app. We all know what a big deal it is for me now that I finally own a smartypants phone and can be like all the cool kids! And by cool kids I mean  Kaelah (who's on there). And Karyn (who's on there). And Anne-Marie (who's on there) And Victoria (who's on there). It might have also introduced me to a new section of fashion blogs, which is pretty damn cool. For iPhones click here, Droids here. I've used pictures from my camera, Instagram, and blog in my posts. It's all a go, which helps me keep it simple. (UPDATE: they have buttons for your blogs now too!)

Oh yeah, and you can find ME here!

I'm just really impressed with the movement that the online body positive community is making. And BeauCoo is one of the guys making waves. Not ripples. Motherfucking waves. As I read this, I realize how much I swear. Sorry I'm not fucking sorry. Sometimes you just need strong language to express how magnificent something is. Curse worthy magnificent things include: getting to lick the spoon, rubbing your cats belly, awesome sex dreams, finding your lost debit card, and BeauCoo. Yeah, that. So, are you gonna join me?

P.S. Air-conditioning in the summer is also worth happy profanity.
P.P.S. Oh, and getting a bonus at work too.
P.P.P.S. I want a bonus at work.
P.P.P.P.S. What else?

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