The Fat Girl's Guide to Living

Lace up and ask for the right help with your fitness boost

Four fat girls walk into a gym. . .

Relax, friends, I’m not about to tell a tasteless joke. In setting up today’s Guide, I thought I’d share a bit about my own experiences working with a personal trainer many years ago. And it really did begin with four overweight friends joining a gym.

Technically, Tracy was already an active gym-goer when we met her through Weight Watchers; the rest of us followed suit when we all started spending quality time together having girlie dinners and sharing stories about the inner Healthy Girl we were each secretly harboring inside. Three nights a week, we met to work with Kathy, who — God bless her — pushed all four of us to hold our plank position a little longer or stop making excuses and just start doing squats already.

In addition to teaching me solid techniques for using free weights and resistance machines, those sessions with Kathy and my girlfriends helped keep me accountable to the lifestyle goals I had for myself at the time. At a size 24, I was far from a hard-body athlete, but that didn’t matter — I felt strong and confident for the first time in my life, and I looked forward to those training sessions because I knew how awesome I’d feel afterward. While FGG editorial knows that not everyone in our readership wants to lose weight, it’s hard to argue against down-to-earth goals like developing the strength to easily carry the groceries inside or the stamina to keep up with one’s kids.

If you’ve ever been curious about what a personal trainer could do for you, or if hiring a trainer seems like something only “skinny” people do — think again. Trainers work with individuals and groups of all different ages, shapes, sizes and fitness goals. And — lucky you! — we asked fitness pros of all different backgrounds to share their “getting started” tips to help you bulk up on knowledge without breaking a sweat.

Amber O’Neal (Atlanta, GA), certified group fitness instructor (ACE) and personal trainer and founder of Café Physique® private in-home and on-site fitness and nutrition company

In her words: “Most experienced trainers have a niche. For me, it actually is working with overweight women, but I have other trainers in Café Physique who specialize in working with runners, children, seniors, clients with back problems, etc. Ideally, the trainer you choose will have experience working with overweight women and ENJOY working with overweight women, but I wouldn’t automatically rule out everyone else. The key is that the trainer be patient, open to feedback, flexible, and willing to learn and accommodate.”

Amber breaks down of the benefits of working with a personal trainer:

1. ACCOUNTABILITY. Most people quit fitness programs within two weeks — especially people who are de-conditioned and don’t have a natural love for working out. Your trainer will keep you accountable for the workouts, and unless you like throwing away perfectly good money, you’re going to stay on the program (most require pre-payment).

2. PROGRESSION. When left to their own devices, most women don’t push themselves to the next level. They keep plugging along doing the same old routine because it’s comfortable. Your trainer will make sure that you’re progressing toward your goals by building a more robust program as you go.

3. SAFETY. Protecting your back, knees, and ankles is important for everyone, but this can be of special concern for overweight women. Working with a trainer who will show you proper form and will likely insist on a good warm-up and stretching routine will help minimize injury and pain.

Derek Peruo (New York, NY), certified personal trainer (ACSM, NSCA)
http://bodybydrock.wordpress.com

Derek understands setting and achieving fitness goals while overweight — having been overweight his entire life, he successfully lost 90 pounds in 2006 and now designs strength and training programs to help others achieve their athletic goals. Whether you’re sourcing trainers through a health club or doing Google searches for trainers near you, Derek advises it’s important to choose someone who is active in the fitness community and committed to his/her own health.

Derek recommends that everyone ask the following questions of any new personal trainer they may work with:

1. WHO ARE YOU CERTIFIED BY?
A nationally recognized certification is the most important thing for a serious personal trainer to have. The most well-known certifications come from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Each agency guarantees that its trainers understand the basics of program design and client safety, and each offers a unique perspective on training. If you want to train like an athlete, work with a trainer certified by the NSCA or NASM. If you have a chronic health condition (e.g. diabetes or a heart condition), an ACSM-certified professional might be right for you. If you have no health problems and are just looking for some basic guidance in the gym, ACE trainers are the way to go. Be wary of personal trainers certified by unfamiliar agencies, or who have no certification at all.

2. WHAT CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP DID YOU LAST ATTEND?
Continuing education is required for all the major certifications and what your potential trainer chooses to study reveals her training philosophy and focus. Understanding “functional movement” provides a very different perspective than understanding “protein synthesis” or “carbohydrate tolerance,” and you may prefer one over another. Talk with a prospective trainer about her likes and dislikes and see if you agree with their viewpoint on exercise and eating habits.

3. MAY I SEE SOME BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS?
Client photos and testimonials illustrate the trainer’s ability to actually produce results for his clients, and testimonials demonstrate that he provides tangible value for the people he works with. Make sure you like what you see! A trainer without photos or testimonials may be new to the fitness industry, or his clients may not be happy with their results.

4. MAY I SEE YOUR PERSONAL WORKOUT PROGRAM?
Personal trainers should always make their own health and fitness a priority. Unhealthy personal trainers cannot demonstrate proper exercise technique or safely spot you while you work out. Looking at your potential trainer’s workout program will expose how she might train her clients. What does she do for a warm-up? What equipment does she use? How long does her workout take? How does she cool down? Work with a trainer with goals that match your own.

Jennifer DiDonato (Detroit, MI), certified personal trainer (NASM) and owner, Made Fit TV

In her words: “Ask if the trainer has ever worked with someone with significant pounds to shed or with physical limitations due to their weight, as well as how long the trainer has worked with his/her clients. Then ask to able to speak with a current or former client (in person or over the phone) to get feedback on how they liked working with that trainer. This can give you a behind-the-scenes and unbiased view of what that trainer is about.”

Jennifer’s tips on thinking outside the training box:

1. CREDENTIALS DON’T MEAN EVERYTHING. A trainer can have great and numerous credentials through schools and training, but if s/he doesn’t know how to communicate with you, teach you, or make you feel comfortable, then don’t rule out another trainer who may look less impressive on paper. As long as a trainer is certified through a nationally recognized organization, maintains current certifications (including First Aid, AED and CPR), and has been employed for over a year, try them out. You may be surprised at how much energy, motivation and cutting-edge education a “newbie” trainer fresh out of training can have in store for you — and how much you may like it!

2. DON’T EXPECT A TRAINER TO SOLVE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS. If you have been dealing with your weight and health issues for a long period of time, or if it is severe enough that it requires immediate attention, you won’t magically meet your goals the moment you sign the dotted line. Hiring a trainer is a two-way street. Both client and trainer must work hard together toward the goal that you have for yourself. Sure, it’s going to be challenging, but that is why you hired the trainer — to push you and show you how strong, brave and amazing you really are! The trainer is the teacher, but it wont do anyone any good if the student is not compliant.

3. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T SEE IS OFFERED — ASK! Many trainers at gyms are employed through the gym and are not allowed to train outside of that gym; some gyms allow trainers to freelance in their own time and can even train in-home or on-location. If you aren’t comfortable training on the gym floor during public hours, if you prefer early morning training hours, or if can only train late at night, then ask the trainer to accommodate you. A good trainer wants you to feel as comfortable as possible in your surroundings so you can focus without unnecessary distractions.

Jen Swendseid (St. Louis Park, MN), certified personal trainer (ACE & NASM) and CEO of heart&core Athletic Apparel

In her words: “If you tend to be self-motivated, try meeting with a trainer on a monthly basis to switch up your routine (and save some money!). However, if you aren’t motivated, work with a trainer on a weekly basis until you build confidence and a habit of working out, which will help you become more motivated. Also, consider doing small group training or share the training sessions/costs with a friend/partner/spouse.”

Jen’s tips on taking prospective trainers for a trial run:

1. MEET WITH A POTENTIAL TRAINER FIRST. Go with your gut feeling — personality and beliefs are going to be extremely important! If you belong to a gym, watch the trainer(s) train some of their clients. Are they engaged or gabbing and looking around? Do they do the same exercises/routine with every client? If you don’t belong to a gym, your best bet is to get referrals from friends or family.

2. ONCE YOU MEET WITH YOUR TRAINER, have her take you through a sample workout. Most of your exercises should involve using body weight, cables, free weights and/or equipment such as the bosu or a stability ball. You should have to be your own stabilizer vs. a machine helping you — you’ll burn more calories that way.

3. SOME THINGS A TRAINER SHOULD BEGIN BY DOING include checking your balance, range of motion and posture, as well as noting any limitations you may have (such as injuries, surgeries or medical conditions). Once s/he develops a plan based on this information and your goals, you can begin your routine. If there are exercises you can’t do or simply don’t like, a trainer should provide alternative exercises for you. And remember that you should never feel any pain during an exercise — if so, stop immediately! [FGG note: If our bodies aren't used to moving in certain ways (or at all. . .), every movement can sometimes seem challenging. Maintaining open communication with your trainer about movements that are uncomfortable is important so s/he can help you understand which movements are an indication your muscles are working and which could cause injury.]

Allen Linville (Latham, NY), certified personal trainer (NASM, AFPA) and owner of Fitness Together

With average prices for a training session running anywhere from $30 (gym- or group-based sessions) to $100 (individual instruction), depending on the geographic market, we should all want to get the maximum benefit from our time with a personal trainer.

Final thoughts from Allen:

Anyone can count to 15 and hold a clipboard. Look for a coach who will educate you about all the components necessary to achieve optimal health and real, lasting fitness results. Your trainer should review nutrition education with you, educate you about proper supplementation, review resistance training (whether that be balance training, core work, stabilization training, etc.), cardiovascular exercise to maximize fat burning, flexibility to avoid injury and speed recovery, and really walk you through all the steps that encompass the “mental development” side.

The best personal trainers view their role as an “agent of change” — not as a babysitter, repetition-counter or social companion. Friendliness and rapport-building skills are important (and the best trainers have both), but true fitness professionals recognize they have a singular responsibility that supersedes all others: helping you achieve optimum and lasting results by literally “re-programming” you to a better, healthier, more passionate and more fulfilling lifestyle.

If I had written today’s Guide on my own beliefs and preferences about personal training, you’d have just finished reading a blog post entitled Don’t Yell In My Face: Why Jillian Michaels Isn’t For Everyone. What’s YOUR preference when it comes to working out? Do you go it alone or take a buddy? If you’ve ever used a trainer, tell us about the experience in comments!

On the approach to Reno’s 8,300-foot Peavine Peak

If we’re talking semantics, I’ve always been more of a trekker than a hiker. I love a long, flat or gently-rolling surface, and even at a size 24 I could walk and walk all day until the shoes disintegrated off my feet. I’ve planned whole trips around the proximity of long, lonely walking paths. For me, distance walking in the wild is a sacred, special thing.

But add any substantial elevation to that, and funny things would start happening. My monkey mind kicked in, throwing out a hundred reasons why I shouldn’t/couldn’t do it: I’m not strong enough. I’ll overheat. I’ll get out of breath too fast. I’ll be stuck up there and nobody will know where I am and the rescue crews won’t find my body until it’s been picked over by ravens and coyotes!

And so it was that in my 39 years I had never climbed a mountain. Then I met my husband. My husband the mountain climber. He was fit, he was adventurous, and he loved the idea of us exploring every canyon and scaling every mountain together. Which meant the whole time we were dating all I could think was, “Crap, crap, crap.”

Deep down, though, I really wanted to do those things together too, so I spent several years discouraged that climbing mountains would have to wait (at least that’s what I assumed back then) until I had shed about 100 pounds.

But a life-changing year last year gave me the guts and strength and attitude shift I needed to tackle it now, no matter how slow I’d go or how many modifications I had to make to get to the top. And I had the perfect beginner mountain in mind: Peavine Peak, an 8,300-foot mountain that towers over the Reno skyline. A simple, non-technical day climb, and while it was small conquest by mountain-climber standards, it was a symbolic achievement by mine.

Making it to the top of that mountain was difficult, challenging in ways I didn’t expect, and there were several moments that I had to wave away what the hell am I doing up here? thoughts. But I did it, and it felt so incredible that I regretted waiting all those years under false assumptions to do it. A few weeks later I took a group of friends – ranging from 130 to 280 pounds – out there with me to do it again.

Now I want to challenge each of you to give it a try yourself. Even if you never set foot on a mountain slope again, the sense of achievement in knowing you have climbed one from bottom to top and back again is something every woman should experience at least once in their lives.

Today’s guide will focus on a beginner mountain climb, which is to say an easily walked-up mountain by way of an established trail or service road that requires no technical gear or expertise (i.e., an intense hike that leads to a peak), then down the road we’ll add intermediate and advanced guides for the daring among you. If you’ve been hiking in challenging conditions before, you can skip right to today’s guide. If not, we recommend reviewing that post, as well as our other posts on hiking (hot-weather hiking part 1 and part 2, and cold-weather hiking) for a good primer, or a refresher if it’s been awhile.

Preparing for your first climb: training body and mind

Let’s be realistic: being overweight doesn’t mean we have to miss out on all the things that fit men and women can do, but for most of us it does mean we have to understand our bodies and be smart about its limitations, make some modifications where necessary, and go at our own pace. Most of us aren’t going to be able to hop up from a sedentary lifestyle and climb straight up even a walk-up mountain, so it’s important to gauge what shape you’re in and what you’ll need to work on to get primed for a beginner climb.

Remember: true physical fitness has less to do with the numbers on your scale and much more to do with your underlying muscle tone, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary health. We’ve all met the 250-pound powerhouse that never slows down, and the 150-pound couch potato that circles the parking lot for 30 minutes just to get the closest spot. So let your doc know what you’re thinking of doing and if he/she has any concerns they’ll say so, but otherwise forget about those nagging numbers on the scale and focus more on how you feel when you’re being active. If you’re easily winded while walking more than short distances, or the thought of climbing stairs sends you packing in the other direction, start by working on your endurance with those things first. So what if it takes six months to prepare to climb that mountain? It’ll be there when you’re ready.

Once you feel like you’re ready to step it up, here are some things you can do to prepare for the specific challenges of getting to the top of your mountain.

1. Take a short hike every weekend for a month or two, and go a little farther each time. Pick hikes that have varying terrain, and choose progressively harder hikes that keep you going uphill longer once you’ve mastered the easier trails.

2. Kick up the incline on your treadmill. Climbing isn’t about speed, so notch your speed down to 2.5, or lower if you need to, and kick your incline up to at least 4 or 5 percent if you’re not used to having one. Each time, increase your incline by 2 percent over the last time. Stay at your max incline for 10-15 minutes, then take it down about 2 percent every minute until you’re at zero again. Try to work up to being comfortable at a 10-15 percent incline before you go tackle your mountain.

3. Climb stairs every opportunity you get, even if you have to take it slow. If you’ve got stairs in your home or at school or work, every time you climb up, go down and climb up one more time before moving on. You’ll be surprised how fast you’ll start to feel changes after doing this for a week or two.

4. Get on a bicycle and practice on some low hills, progressing to steeper hills as your endurance improves. Biking might not seem like a natural prep activity for climbing, but it works both the quads and the heart: the two things you’ll rely on most during your climb.

5. Join a gym and make use of equipment like Jacob’s Ladder, stair climbers and striders. These machines all emulate “vertical feet,” and are great training for any activity with a sustained incline. A trainer can show you the what, where, how and for how long of a good pre-climbing training program.

6. Get your ankles in good, sturdy shape. Serial ankle twisters/sprainers will definitely want to work on gaining strength and stability before tackling a mountain ascent and descent. If you’ve had surgery or other medical treatment for your ankles or feet, check with your doc for recommendations. If your ankles feel weak and prone to rolling but have no other medical issues, you can do a few simple exercises to help strengthen them (including those that improve the neural connections between your brain and your ankle tissue, which has been shown to be a significant factor in some cases). Check out our guide to stronger ankles for more.

7. Choose your mountain wisely. For your first time out, keep the elevation gain to less than 3,000 feet spread out over no less than 5-6 miles each way. Less than that and the climb quickly becomes steep and laborious, and even slippery depending on the quality of the trail. You want challenging, you don’t want demoralizing! Search for other hiker’s/climber’s notes about the mountain before you go on sites like Summit Post or GORP. Make sure it’s a climb that someone going slowly can do (and get back) in about 6-8 hours, and start early. Descending a mountain is tough enough without doing it in the dark.

8. Mind the altitude. If you’ll be climbing a mountain on which the trailhead starts at an elevation more than 2,000 feet higher than you normally spend time at, do some shorter pre-climb hikes at that altitude before taking on the full monty. Get plenty of sleep in the days leading up to your climb, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least 24 hours before starting out. Know the signs of altitude sickness, and if you think you or anyone in your party may be experiencing it, stop immediately and head back down.

9. Tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to be back. If possible, let them know the route you plan to take or at the very least where you plan to start out. The service may be spotty, but bring a cell phone if you can. If there are multiple people in your party at different fitness levels (and therefore likely to be going at different speeds), bring basic walkie-talkies with freshly-charged batteries.

Also be sure to keep a close eye on what the weather will be like on the day you’ve chosen. Too hot and you’ll slog along feeling oppressed and possibly dehydrated. Too cold (and not dressed for it) and you’ll waste all your energy shivering and be tempted to turn back, especially as you get closer to the top, where wind can pick up significantly and temperatures can drop as much as 20 degrees even on smaller peaks. DO NOT attempt a climb if there’s a chance of thunderstorms at any time that you plan to be on the mountain.

On the mountain: what to bring

Once you’ve picked and researched your mountain, whipped your ankles into shape and done some training for incline walking, you’re ready to pack for your trip! For a day trip on a walk-up mountain you’ll only need a few things, but each are critical.

1. Plenty of water. I can’t stress this enough. Running short of water will not only make your trip miserable in warmer weather, it can be life threatening if you push too long and hard without it. In average summer temperatures (between 75-85), bring a liter of water for each person for every 2-3 hours you plan to be out. More if it’s hotter and more dry, a little bit less is OK if it’s cool and moist. If you run out of water on your way up the mountain, turn back. It’s not worth the potential risk.

2. Solid hiking boots with good traction. You don’t want tennis shoes, sandals, or even trail runners here. Your boots should fit well and have good ankle support, sturdy construction and lots of knobby (“lug”) tread on the soles. Without good traction you risk slipping, and you’ll almost certainly find that in some places, every step forward is followed by a short slide back. That’s a waste of energy and time, and will wear you out long before you get to the top. Related: microfiber sport socks make a big difference in how your feet feel post-hike.

3. Snacks or a lunch. For most of us, snacks aren’t an absolutely necessity as long as you have enough water, but they sure can make the difference in how you feel and whether or not you have the energy to keep going (though if you’re diabetic, they’re a must). Trail mix, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, fruit…all great choices. Avoid extra sugary foods that bring a crash later on. A light, gourmet picnic lunch at the top will not only make you feel pretty good going down, it’s also fun to do… and a nice reward for your hard work.

4. Sunscreen. Like water, don’t go without enough of it. In most cases you’ll be exposed for a good part of the climb, and you’ll be at altitude, a sizzling combination. As is the case with most burns, you won’t likely notice you’re getting crispy until it’s too late. Avoid several painful days following the climb, bad memories, and, of course, a risk of skin cancer, by loading yourself up with sweat-proof sunscreen before you start out, and carrying it with you for re-application as necessary.

5. A camera and/or journal. Self-explanatory! Your journey will be impressive both visually and psychologically. Document both while they’re fresh. This is something you’ll remember forever, and will probably want to show everyone you know.

6. Layers of clothing. Even if your mountain is fairly small, you may experience temperature variations that make layers a good idea. In warm weather, a light, short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts is great to start in, but bring a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of light pants for the cooler (and sometimes downright cold) weather you can expect closer to the top.

7. A GPS, map or compass. Unless the trail is well-marked and easy to follow, bring a GPS, map or compass and know how to use it. Most smaller mountains will have fairly visible trails or even service roads, but if there’s more than one, or things get confusing, you’ll want to be able to find your way back on track easily.

8. A comfortable day pack. A small hiker’s backpack that fits your water, snacks, sunscreen, phone, GPS, layers, and camera/journal, but isn’t so big that it’s floppy with empty space beyond those things, is ideal. The better it sits on your hips the more weightless it will feel, and it’s worth springing for a pack that fastens around your waist and across your chest for extra support and stability. Don’t try to carry your stuff up by hand.

On the mountain: what to expect

Most mountains have an approach, a section or sections of flanks/ridges, and a peak. What to expect will depend to a large degree on the terrain of your particular mountain – you might have a sprawling mountain with a long, arduous approach and a short-and-sweet peak section, or you might have a conical mountain that throws you into the incline almost immediately and gets you up there fast – but some things will be true across the board.

1. It’s going to be hard. That’s OK, it’s supposed to be hard. There’s a myth out there that we’re not supposed to be sweaty and breathing heavy and feeling tired and sore, that we should avoid those things, that they’re not good for us. And so we panic or give up and turn back at the first inkling of any of them thinking we’ve saved ourselves, thinking we need to be in better shape to try something like this.

Not so.

Our bodies are meant to work hard for us. Breathing heavy, as long as we’re not out of breath entirely, is good for us. It increases our lung and heart capacity over time, and in the moment it supplies oxygen for our bloodstream and muscles to use to power us up farther. Sweating, as long as we’re not overheating or dehydrating, is good for us. It rids the bodies of impurities, acts as a cooling fan, and, for those counting, it means you’re burning some serious calories. And being tired and sore, as long as we don’t feel faint or weak or in pain, just means we’re working hard and building up our strength and stamina. So don’t be discouraged or afraid when you’re feeling like you’re working awfully hard. That’s the idea, and that’s what makes standing on that peak looking down at how far you’ve come so sweet.

2. At some point you’re probably going to feel like giving up. I did, many times, and so did many of the new climbers I was with. It’s a natural reaction to anything new and difficult, but you can minimize it by reminding yourself that it’s normal, taking frequent breaks (but not long enough for your heart to return to its resting rate), slowing your pace down just a little bit, finding shade if you’re feeling hot, and keeping your eye on the prize (the peak), and thinking of the trip in small sections vs. an entire mountain. As I neared the top, I was so exhausted I had to promise myself I’d just make it to that flower or rock or patch of grass I could see just a few steps ahead. And then I did that again, and again. And I got up that mountain literally one step at a time. That might sound tedious, but it kept me going and got me to that peak.

3. You may come across sections that require the use of your hands. While your beginner mountain should never require the use of climbing ropes or crampons or other gear, you may have rocky or steep sections to traverse that slow you down, make you stop and think about every step, and, in some cases, require you to use your hands to get around obstacles. If there’s an established trail these shouldn’t be too numerous or too difficult. Take it slow, watch your step, find solid places to grip, and remember that the more challenging it is, the more rewarding it is.

4. At the top, you may experience intense levels of euphoria. Not only have you done something incredible with your body, achieved something you may have never thought you could do, been somewhere most people will never go and been rewarded with a fantastic view – OMG, you’re done climbing. The moment you realize that, as in child birth, most of the holy crap what the hell was I thinking? memories fade immediately, to be replaced by feelings of pride and accomplishment and even, dare I say, an irrational but nonetheless deserved well that wasn’t so bad or two. Savor this moment. Capture it in a way that facilitates bragging to friends, family and strangers.

5. Getting down is not necessarily the easy part. Descending is a different kind of difficult. Your heart rate is back to normal, your quads are no longer on fire, you won’t be sweating as much, you won’t need as much water, and chances are the trip down will be a whole lot faster than the trip up. But your feet, and for some, your knees…how they will suffer enough to make up for it.

Good boots and socks can mitigate foot soreness to a large degree, but even with the best of those, unless it was a short, easy hike to the top, you’re likely to feel some foot discomfort one the way down. Rocks and loose gravel can make us unconsciously stiffen our feet up to keep ourselves steady on steep declines, and just the act of all that walking alone will wear them out. If you’ve got cranky joints, you’re likely to feel the impact on your knees for a few days. Both of these are temporary and can be proudly considered battle wounds for a job well done!

In our next mountain climbing guide, we’ll tackle intermediate climbs that require very little technical gear or expertise, but often require an overnight camp and/or sections of “scrambling.”

Readers, have you ever climbed a mountain? Share your tips and experience with us here! If this guide has inspired you to give it a shot, come on back and tell us all about it!

Try something that looks fun but makes you nervous. We dare you.
(image by Lori Greig)

This summer, I tried something that terrified me. And I loved it.

Something about surrendering my body to a dark, narrow tube, hurtling downward through twists and turns, only to be unceremoniously ejected and swiftly deposited into the chilly water below freaked me out. Go figure. “I’ll stick to the slower slide, thankyouverymuch,” became my mantra. But my desire for comfort made me uncomfortable; what was I modeling to my kids about trying new things, what would the 18-year-old me have done, and was I missing out on something I’d probably find thrilling? Knowing my battle with desire vs. hesitancy, my husband kept nudging me to try it, then the kids joined in (“If I can do it, you can, Mom!”). I climbed the two flights of stairs to the platform, waved to my family far below, then took a deep breath and pushed off into the darkness.

Was it scary? Yep. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I spent the rest of the afternoon hurrying up the stairs to hit that slide again and again. Nobody pointed and laughed at the big mama behaving like a kid; if anything, I think my joy was infectious. Maybe some other women watching were inspired. Or maybe nobody cared at all and my worries over what others might think were unfounded. (Nobody even noticed me surreptitiously correcting my massive, post-splashdown water wedgie.)

The comfort zone for us bigger girls (remaining indoors with the AC blasting, telling ourselves we can’t do certain activities or wear certain things) can start out as a sacred space where firm boundaries are drawn. But as that zone expands, it can also become an overstuffed cushion ready to absorb our every excuse, the well-worn collection of stories we tell ourselves, like “fat girls can’t ride a horse,” stories that hold us back from really living our lives to the fullest. Think back to the last time you successfully pushed beyond your comfort zone (tango lessons? speed dating? aqua aerobics?) and came out the other side perfectly okay. Sure, there may have been missteps or embarrassing moments, but you lived to tell the tale, right? This guide to summer fun offers suggestions for getting out and trying something new, and we encourage you to come back and tell us how your new experiences went – stumbles, triumphs, wedgies, and all.

Hiking–which is essentially walking in a more rugged, natural setting–is a great activity because it can be as easy or as challenging as you decide to make it and it’s a great beginner’s adventure. Our two-part guide to hot weather hiking (Part 1 here and Part 2 here), plus our guide to hiking in challenging conditions like sand dunes or muddy areas are great starting points. I know heat and humidity, combined with the need to expose more skin, can feel like insurmountable hurdles here. Look for plus-sized workout wear, carry plenty of water, expect to sweat (it’s okay; really!) and start small at first if you’re nervous–many city parks offer plenty of green space for beginners to test their trail legs, and plenty of park and recreation districts offer guided hikes geared toward beginners.

Speaking of city parks, I’ve been taking advantage of our sizable park to ride my bike either early in the morning or after dinner, when the sunlight isn’t as unforgiving (either way, I still wear sweatproof sunscreen). Our guide to cycling, mad love for cruiser bikes and tips on finding plus-size padded bike shorts are helpful starting points if you’ve been itching to travel on two wheels but not sure where to start. If you’re worried about deflating the tires on your bike, we’ve tackled this issue, too (you won’t).

If getting on the water is on your life list, our guides to kayaking, canoeing and surfing should prove tempting. Or maybe taking a cruise is more your speed; you can be as chill and comfortable as you wish, or you can embark on new adventures on board (rock climbing walls, dance lessons) or off (rainforest zipline tours, island exploration). Of course, if you’ve read the FGG About page, you know my suggestion will be to opt for at least one adventure. Perhaps being in the water is your goal but you’ve been avoiding swimsuit shopping; you’ll want to consult our guide to figure-flattering swimwear and best places to find a plus-sized sarong to wrap around your suit, and we recently helped a reader with some ideas on attending a poolside bachelorette party in Vegas (we also have some insights into the daunting prospect of socializing in swimwear).

I know we cover a lot of active ground here at FGG, but I also understand that rest and relaxation are an integral part of enjoying the summer season. I suggest striking a balance between stepping outside of your usual routine and rewarding yourself for doing so. Perhaps a girlfriend getaway is in order (you are TOO worth it!), or it’s time to finally find a hammock that feels comfy and supportive while you swing lazily reading some great fiction featuring plus-sized protagonists. Just remember: too much comfort can be as detrimental to mind, body, and spirit as too much stress. Use the rest of these summer days to push yourself a little bit and try something you think would be fun.

We’ve packed a ton of summer fun into this guide, but we’re always eager to hear your suggestions for guides to activities you’ve been longing to try but aren’t sure where to begin – share your “life list” ideas in comments.

relaxing moment courtesy of ximenacab

Some “Ask FGG” questions apply on any day of the year. Others, like this week’s reader inquiry, seem custom-made for hot and steamy July days.

There’s a spot on my back deck that would look great with a hammock, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that might not hold me. Are hammocks one size fits all? If not, where should I look?

Few objects in this world say “relaxation” more completely than hammocks — they might as well work a good book and a refreshing drink into the purchase price. For overweight women, however, hammocks tend to fall into the category of “Items We Feel Compelled to Approach With Caution,” for fear they may not support our weight. (Other objects on that list: Camping chairs. Spindle-legged chairs. Men with runners’ builds.)

Choosing a fat-girl-friendly hammock

For the kind of portable hammock that’s popular for camping or use in the space you’re describing (i.e. sets up and relocates easily onto a deck or lawn, no trees or hardware required), a weight capacity of 225-250 pounds is pretty common. Most big box stores or sporting/outdoor goods retailers seem to offer at least one comparable model, in addition to styles with more of a sling factor.

Since you’ll be giving the hammock a home on your deck and likely won’t need to move it around, you’ll do better with a stand-and-hammock combo. To ensure reliable support, choose a hammock bed with a higher weight capacity (the Island Bay XL rope hammock accommodates 450 pounds) and mount it on a heavy-duty hammock frame; even better: buy both pieces as a kit ($174.98, Hammocks.com). Unless you’re specifically shopping through a site like LivingXL or My Size USA, look for hammocks that are geared toward multiple people; the weight limit, width and often the length will be higher than your standard one-person hammock.

If you prefer your hammock bed to feel more solid beneath you than rope weave, try a fabric or quilted style, instead. Girls who like more substantial-feeling hammocks will also want to choose a design with spreader bars, which hold the hammock open to create a flat surface rather than a slack sling. On the other hand, hammocks without spreader bars (350-pound capacity with adjustable frame, $169.98) offer a more cocoon-like feeling as you sink into them — though climbing back out may prove tricky. The frame we’d buy if money were no object? The Hatteras Hammocks® Roman Arc® hammock stand (450-pound capacity, $499.95). And then we’d put it on the dreamy beach scene in the photo and we’d swing on that puppy.

Installing your hammock securely

Whatever design you choose, be sure to buy a frame that’s compatible (some frames won’t accommodate hammocks with spreader bars), as well as any additional hardware your specific model indicates. Once installed, unoccupied hammocks without spreader bars should hang parallel to the ground without sagging. The hammock will sink once your weight is in it, but shouldn’t sag much — if at all — before that point. Detach and stretch the hammock tighter if necessary.

Readers who’ve had one eye sizing up the backyard trees as they read this post (13-16 feet apart is ideal) should keep in mind that they’ll need hardware secure enough to bear the same weight as their hammocks. Using hardware is preferable to tying rope around the trees for permanent installations because rope can be more harmful to trees in the long run. For temporary hammock placement, such as while on vacation, try easy-to-use tree straps.

Once everything is securely fastened, it’s time to take your new toy for a test swing, taking care to keep your weight evenly distributed (especially as you climb in) so the hammock doesn’t flip. All that’s left to do now is sway (okay, nap) for hours on end without a care. Isn’t summer grand?

Speaking of relaxing naps: I’m off to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine on the beach of Lake Huron. Look for fabulous posts by Toni & Tee while I’m gone, and I’ll see you all in August!

We’re curious: Do you prefer a flatter hammock bed or one that cocoons you? And what setup (frame, trees, portable) has worked best for your hammocking needs? Tell us in the comments.

Squeeze every bit of fun into your amusement park trip (Great America photo booth ca. 1998)

Until I was 14, I was terrified of roller coasters.

Per longstanding tradition, our 8th grade class trip took place at Sandusky, OH-based Cedar Point. It was 1990 and the Magnum had just debuted. The sleek, orange monster boasted a 204-foot plunge at an angle of 60 degrees. Obviously, it was the only thing anyone cared about riding . . . with one very notable exception. While my friends racked up run after run on the coaster, I held people’s bags, wandered off with a random girl from my class to get lunch, and rode less stomach-turning attractions like the Scrambler and the Swings.

The kicker is that I wasn’t even fat back then. Certainly I weighed more than most of the girls in my class (and those extra 20 pounds may as well have been 200 in my mind). But what kept me off the Magnum wasn’t weight — it was just plain old fear. The following spring, goaded by my friends to the point of capitulation, I boarded the orange nemesis and screamed my head off during the famous drop . . . and I absolutely loved it. After that, some kind of adrenaline switch flipped inside of me and there wasn’t a ride in any park I wouldn’t try.

Viewing the photo at the top of this post — college friends all crammed into one of the photo booths that line the midway of every good theme park — actually makes me sad, because that was my last trip to coaster-ville. One thing or another has derailed every planned trip for more than a decade, until I’ve found myself asking the proverbial fat girl question: “Am I too fat for the rides?” This question is followed by its slightly less painful siblings, “Can I do all that walking?” and “Girl, don’t you remember how badly water-ride-soaked pants can chafe?”

For every overweight girl who’s asked herself the same questions, let’s see what we can figure out . . .

Plus-size amusement ride restriction policies

Given the highly publicized incident at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, where park staff turned away overweight patrons from one ride, theme park ride passenger size has garnered more attention than usual lately. And the very blunt truth is that for overweight patrons, it makes sense to review the park’s guidelines and ride restrictions before buying tickets or — worse — getting to the front of the hour-long Superman: Ultimate Flight queue and being turned away. Beyond just a weight restriction, many rides — certainly more than I remember! — now carry size restrictions based on the restraint harness or bars that hold passengers in place. Ultimately, the park needs to ensure the safety of all riders. So what’s the best way to inform yourself before your next visit?

Most parks provide at least some information on their Web sites regarding ride restrictions, although the verbiage is often vague or focused around minimum rider height. Cedar Point has gone the total transparency route by publicizing policies for passengers of “exceptional size” (including women weighing more than 200 pounds, or individuals taller than 6’2), as well as how the guidelines affect prospective riders on individual attractions.

To give real-world context to the online information, you can review other park-goers’ experiences on boards like Theme Park Insider, Coaster Critic and Theme Park Review. And overweight lifestyle blog GrandStyle offers an impressive round-up of ride logistics and plus-size park patron experiences from around the country.

Some parks have opted to take the proactive approach one step further by placing actual-size “test seats” along the queue lines for various attractions. Theoretically, this measure allows passengers whose size might not be compatible with the ride to self select out of the line, saving embarrassment for both passenger and park employee when it’s time to board.

And yet, it’s not as though the 19-year-old ride attendant is standing there with a scale or a measuring tape to disprove your ride eligibility. On my last visit to Six Flags Great America, I rode every single coaster and thrill ride in the park without issue. I weighed 240 pounds. Some of the harnesses were on their last click, perhaps, and my hips have never wanted to fit neatly into any ride seat. Despite these logistics, the only true moment of discomfort was while straddling the seat portion of a standing coaster, something my ridiculously short legs were never meant to do. As with the two-seat policy employed by many airlines, enforcement seems to be hit-and-miss, and patrons are left to the honor system to gauge their own ride eligibility, unless questioned by an attendant. Would I still have boarded the Wave Swinger, had I known about its 230-pound weight limit? Probably. Would I recommend the same action to a friend? Good question.

Finding theme park excitement at any size

Whether you’re coaster-phobic, skeptical about size restrictions, or just not a fan of motion sickness, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy yourself at a theme park if you’re not crazy about the rides. We’ve already established that photo booths are one of my favorite things on earth, but the midway is packed with other beckoning diversions. Duck out of the hot sun and into a theater for a show. Issue an epic skee-ball throwdown in the arcade. Channel your inner hussy and pose for some old-time photos in western barroom garb. Challenge your kids to some no-holds-barred bumper cars. Or be the people screeching off-key Spice Girls songs in the recording booth as onlookers shake their heads. (As someone who has witnessed a friend’s park-recorded “Kokomo” video from 1989, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the potential for hilarity here.)

The upshot is that there’s plenty to do, even if you’re feeling like the tag-along to friends (or kids) who are much more excited about thrill rides than you are. Coasters get the glory, but they’re just the tip of the amusement park iceberg.

Managing dietary restrictions at the park

When it comes to theme park meals and snacks, these days you can go as healthy or as indulgent as you choose. While the traditional midway fare (hot dogs, nachos, ice cream, fries, you know the drill) still holds court in parks nationwide, there’s a strong push to bring healthier, more wholesome choices into the mix — and to make options like water and fresh fruit accessible. When possible, check out the park restaurants online before visiting, so you know which area of the grounds will be the best bet for your ideal meal. Or, fill some lunch box coolers with your favorite munchies and eat your meals picnic-style (check the website of your park to make sure outside food and drink are permitted).

Remember that you’ll pay excessive park prices for everything from Diet Coke to a simple chicken sandwich. Combine that fact with the importance of staying hydrated, and it’s clear that a refillable water bottle is a must-have. Instead of dropping $3 every few hours, you’ll stay cool and flush by simply cruising past a drinking fountain.

Dressing for all-day comfort at the park

Let’s start with the obvious: You’ll be covering a lot of ground during your theme park adventure, so wear shoes that fit and provide long-lasting support. This isn’t the time to break in a cute pair of sandals, ladies; you’ll be hobbled with blisters before lunch. Beyond the comfy shoes approach, pack an extra pair of socks (two, and an extra pair of shoes if you plan to hit the water rides) for later in the day. You can always stash a bag with your extra gear in a rental locker.

When it comes to clothing, the two most important factors are weather and water. Protect yourself from all-day sun exposure with a water-proof, sweat-proof sunblock; don’t forget to apply even to your hair part if you don’t plan to wear a hat. And if you’re lulled by the water rides, either choose clothing that dries easily or pack an extra set for after the splashing good times. (Seriously, denim weighs about 10 times more when it’s wet.) A hot, sweaty day at the theme park is bound to bring out the chafing, so have your favorite remedy in place.

Theme parks can be a great place to face your fears (of heights. . . of crowds. . . of food on a stick. . .) if you let yourself give in and enjoy wherever the day takes you. At the end of the day, when your feet are sore and your throat is raw from screaming (either on a coaster or at the sugar-buzzed kids), hopefully the park experience will have been one to remember — even if you hope your own photographic evidence never surfaces on a blog a dozen years later.

Have you been to an amusement park recently? Tell us how you made it a fabulous experience — or what you’d do differently next time.

Padded bike shorts protect you where it counts. (Image by L. Marie)

Summer is prime cycling time, so it seems only fitting that FGG’s very own Tee posed this week’s question in the comments of a recent Guide:

I’ve got an Ask FGG question of my own. Are there any padded plus-size bike shorts? I’m taking a spinning class that hurts my rear end, and I can’t seem to find those.

It’s ironic, isn’t it? Despite the padding many of us carry in that area, it often still hurts like crazy to sit on a bike and pedal. I’ll be honest — when I saw this question, I fully expected the answer to be “nope!” But it turns out my inner skeptic was only half right; padded shorts do exist in extended sizes (thanks, athletic apparel manufacturers!), but you shouldn’t expect to find the pads in the buttocks of your shorts.

The primary functions of chamois padding in bike shorts are 1) to wick moisture away from the body and 2) to provide a buffer between seams and stitching and your skin, thereby protecting delicate body parts and minimizing chafing. For this reason, the placement of the pad runs from the crotch area back through the tailbone — in short, the shape of the pad mirrors that of an extended bike seat.

Designed for women by women, the Shebeest Triple S Shorts ($80) are available in plus sizes 1X-3X. In addition to offering extended sizes, Shebeest equips these shorts with SheLastic^TM Chamois Plus pads, which are customized to accommodate the size and pressure of a bigger biker. The company’s Pedal Pusher Tights are also offered in the same sizes, with the same padding.

For a less expensive ($44.95), more colorful ride, Aero Tech Designs offers women’s Pro Bike Shorts in sizes 3X (22/24) and 4X (26/28) and in five different colors. Aero Tech’s sizable catalog of plus-size cycling gear includes triathlon shorts, a wrap-around skirt and jerseys. But for our money, the  maximum padding comes in the form of Aero Tech’s thick-padded Century Short, designed with extra “butt pillow” (sold!) cushioning for long-distance bike rides.

Whether you’re planning a leisurely ride along the bike path or on sweating through a spinning class, be sure to follow the accompanying care instructions on your new pair of padded shorts to ensure maximum garment life and moisture-wicking properties. And check out our Guide to Cycling for tips on finding a comfy seat and ride. Happy riding!

Any cyclists or spinners in the readership? How do you stay comfortable in the saddle during long rides?

Surf Diva Co-Founder Izzy Tihanyi doing what she does best

There’s a group of vacationers who book cabins every July at the same Lake Huron resort where my family and friends spend the week. We call them “Extreme Family.” The Extremes don’t believe in our brand of lazy and relaxing vacation, a carefully crafted mixture of swimming, sunning, volleyballing, grilling, drinking, and playing every card and board game you can name. Instead, they prefer to remain in sporty motion every possible second. They are led by a board shorts-clad matriarch whom we watched wind-surfing daily while eight months pregnant with her daughter (a child we later dubbed “Extreme Baby”). If the kids in our group build sand castles, The Extremes pitch a tent and 14 high-flying “extreme” kites on the beach. If our group rents a jet-ski, The Extremes will no doubt begin water skiing in pyramid formation. That’s the way it is with The Extremes — they do all of the things that seem impossible or impractical to do.

I share the story of Extreme Family not just because it amuses me (although, let’s be honest — it totally does), but because it perfectly captures my attitude and assumptions about activities like surfing. Surfing has always seemed “extreme” to me: exotic, implausible, unrealistic–especially for an overweight Midwesterner like myself. “I/we don’t surf,” I thought. “Only super-fit daredevils like The Extremes take up sports like that.”

It took just one phone call with Izzy Tihanyi, co-founder of Surf Diva Surf School for women, to shatter that myth for me. An instructor and competitive surfer, Tihanyi and twin sister, Coco (the “Diva” counterpart to Izzy’s “Surf”), established San Diego, CA-based Surf Diva in 1996 to introduce women of all ages to the sport in a fun and encouraging environment. Thanks to Tihanyi, I learned (and now you readers will, too!) that fat chicks “abso-lutely” can surf, and that this sport is more accessible than some of us may think.

How does being overweight affect a woman’s ability to surf?

Turns out there are both challenges and benefits to being a bigger girl with a surfing jones. On the plus side of being plus-sized, Tihanyi says, “You stay a lot warmer in the water; you don’t get as cold because you have your own personal insulation. I’ve noticed I can stay in the water longer than most of the guys out there who have 6% body fat.” Tihanyi takes me back to the days of science class in referencing water-dwelling animals whose biology maintains a layer of fat beneath their skin for warmth. Like seals and walruses, she says, “I’m more suited to surviving in the ocean.”

And once you’re standing on the board, neither your weight nor your weight distribution (top heavy vs. pear shaped, etc.) affects your buoyancy or ability to ride the waves. As long as you have the strength and stamina to paddle and manage your board in the water, what your weight affects more than anything is your pop-up. Also called a “pop,” this is the maneuver that takes you from your belly to your feet on the surfboard, and it’s a challenging one to master at any weight because it requires considerable strength and flexibility. Imagine an explosive push-up that requires gripping the sides (“rails”) of your board and using your arms to press your torso up while you simultaneously pulling your knee under you and sliding it up toward your chest.

“That’s kind of a hard maneuver,” Tihanyi agrees, before talking me through the “Izzy Twist,” a pop-up modification she invented for use by her “more voluptuous students.” Rather than sliding the knee straight up toward your chest, the Izzy Twist involves opening your knee to the side so it can go around your belly or chest or any other generously proportioned area that’s in the way. Tihanyi explains the maneuver to me three times (even suggesting I visualize it by getting into push-up stance on the floor) before suggesting I check out the full description in her book, Surf Diva: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Good Waves, which she co-authored with sister Coco.

If you don’t feel comfortable attempting a pop-up because of your size, flexibility, joint issues, or any other reason, there are still exciting ways to ride the waves. Tihanyi suggests trying stand up paddle boarding (SUP), a sport that emerged from Hawaii and involves (you guessed it) standing and paddling on a huge, 12-foot board. The board’s extended length, combined with the use of the paddle, make it more stable than either a shortboard or a longboard. “Imagine being in a kayak but you’re standing up!” Tihanyi explains. “You can paddle [out] on flat water, so you’re not popping up, and you can do it no matter what size you are.” As an added benefit, stand-up paddle boarding can be done on lakes and rivers, making it even more accessible for landlocked or otherwise ocean-less girls.

The bottom line, according to Tihanyi: “You can surf in the ocean no matter what your weight is. You can lay on a board, you can paddle and you can catch waves. The only difference is you’re going to need a bigger board.”

Gear for the plus-size surfer girl

Because proper board size varies by an individual’s height and weight, it’s important to select the right board for maximum possible flotation. Board lengths begin at six feet (these shortboards are used by “rippers,” advanced-level surfers who chase the more dangerous rip tides), but beginners should start with the smoother, more graceful longboard. To that end, Tihanyi recommends big girls choose a board at least 10 feet long and three and a half inches thick. At 5’7 and a size 18, Tihanyi has found her ideal board length to be 9’6. Once you’re set for a board, she says, “it’s really important to find the right wetsuit. And that, my girls, is tricky.”

Wetsuits are designed to cling like a second skin (and you thought wrestling your Spanx made you crazy!), but they’re also designed to insulate and retain body heat, while protecting you from the effects of colder water, winds and, in some cases, sunburn. “I wear a men’s extra-large, and I’ve found that fits me better than a women’s 18,” Tihanyi says. “[Surf Diva] carries sizes up to a men’s 3x. We’ve fitted wetsuits on women up to about a size 26, and the men’s 3X tends to fit them. Most men’s wetsuits go up to size 3X or larger. I’ve never found a women’s wetsuit past a size 18.”

Fortunately, this is where FGG comes in handy, because we did locate ladies’ wetsuits in extended sizes. Sea Dreams offers fashionable wetsuits for women of all shapes, including a full-length wetsuit in sizes up to 26. We also spotted a pink & black shorty suit in sizes to 4X (comparable to a 22/24) available online at TommyDSports.

If you go the men’s suit route, keep in mind that the arms and legs will likely be too long. Roll them up if it’s a rental, or consider having the suit tailored (yes, it’s possible, though you’ll need to locate a professional in your area) if it’s your own. And if you’re between sizes, always go up a size because of the suit’s close-fitting nature.

Surfing skill doesn’t depend on your size

“It really depends on your flexibility, body strength and core strength,” Tihanyi says, going on to describe an experience with two her recent students – one much lighter and leaner than the other. Although many people guessed by appearance that the thinner man would be more successful, she says, “The heavier guy tore it up while the skinnier dude couldn’t stay on the board. The bigger guy was all core strength – if you have a lot of core strength, you can surf remarkably well.”

To excel as a surfer of any size, Tihanyi recommends training your body by adding both flexibility and strength. Yoga, stretching or Pilates are all great for developing the fluidity you’ll need to move with your board in the water. (There are even surfing-specific yoga workouts you can use for training.) Beyond that, Tihanyi says, “Get in the pool and do some laps. Swimming is all upper body strength, which you’ll need for paddling the board.” In addition, the cardio will make a big difference when you need stamina out in the water.

Resources for beginning surfers

While there are plenty of books, Web sites and Youtube videos out there to teach jargon or demonstrate certain techniques, Tihanyi strongly recommends classes for the brand-new surfer. “You’ll learn faster and have more fun, and you won’t give up,” she says, along with stressing the importance of informing the school ahead of time if you have special needs. “We have plus-size surf instructors [at Surf Diva], and we’re very fat-friendly.”

Tihanyi’s own Surf Diva book includes photos of surfing women who encompass all ages, sizes and experience levels. The idea is to make the sport relatable, Tihanyi says. “It demystifies surfing and takes away fears. It acknowledges that, yeah, you can be afraid of [surfing] if it’s new, but that’s something that we can overcome together.”

While Surf Diva specializes in classes for women, you can take surfing lessons — everything from one-day classes to extended camps — almost anywhere there’s coastline and surf-friendly conditions. A quick Google search of “surf lessons” and your preferred city/state/country will yield tons of options, or you can try an aggregate site like CaliforniaSurfingLessons.com. As always, word of mouth and a close reading of online reviews are savvy ways to help ensure a positive experience.

Be the “best surfer in the water”

“I call surfing ‘the lifetime achievement sport,’” Tihanyi says. “Keep it fun, don’t make it competitive. Don’t try to compare yourself to anyone else. Surfing’s not a team sport, it’s an individual sport – so it’s just about you having fun. One of my favorite students was from Oregon. It’s hard to estimate weight, but I’d guess she weighed over three hundred pounds. And she had the best attitude. Our motto at Surf Diva is: ‘The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun.’ And by that motto, she absolutely rocked it. She was catching waves in – she caught some of them on her knees – and we all cheered her on. She was an amazing woman and I hope she’s still surfing today.”

Toward the end of our conversation, Tihanyi shares some advice that resonates big time with our own FGG mission: “Don’t wait until you feel like you’re ‘strong enough.’ The more you surf, the better shape you’ll be in and the better you’ll feel. Don’t wait until you’re ‘thin enough.’” I can practically hear the surf pounding in the background as Tihanyi gets philosophical: “You’re in the ocean . . . and you’re in water . . . and you’re in nature  . . . and the sun is out . . . and that, in itself, is beautiful. And that’s all that matters.”

Phrased that way, the whole idea of fat girls surfing doesn’t seem so extreme after all.

Girls, share your surfing (or other “extreme” activities) with us – did trying something that felt daring change your perception of yourself in any way? Has this Guide changed your attitudes about activities that seem out of your reach? Let us know by leaving a comment.

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