The Fat Girl's Guide to Living

The most gifted green thumb I know (Photo by Holly Mason)

All the green-thumbed ladies! (All the green-thumbed ladies. . .) Now put your trowels up!

Apologies, readers, as I’m working through a bit of a Beyoncé earworm today. But it’s the perfect time of year to crank up a favorite tune on your iPod and get outside to soak up the blue sky, sunshine and smell of the grass growing right under your feet. For girls with the aforementioned green thumbs (regretfully, I cannot count myself among you, since I can kill even a fake plant in two days or less), the season is also ripe for planting, weeding and all manner of earthy things that make me glad I live in a big-city apartment.

Overweight women sometimes struggle with activities like gardening because of joint problems, discomfort sitting or kneeling on the ground, or challenges lowering themselves down to dirt level and standing back up again without good leverage. And yet, many women appreciate the therapeutic nature of gardening — not to mention being surrounded by colorful blooms and enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of their  home-grown labors. As always, we at FGG cringe at the idea of putting off the things we love because of challenges in mobility or logistics — so consider today’s guide our love letter to each of you earth mamas who are ready get digging in the dirt, already!

Comfortable gardening apparel for plus sizes

While most women will agree that the garden isn’t the place for a fashion show, dressing for the elements is important. Footwear and gloves that protect from injury are a must — especially when handling chemical products (like enriched fertilizers) or thorny/prickly plants, or when working in soil that may contain sharp objects or recycled glass mulch. Before you reach for your Crocs, remember that although they’re ridiculously comfortable, water-friendly and accommodating for wider feet, they’re made from lightweight material that can be easily punctured by sharp objects. And depending on where you’re working, turning all of that soil can unearth errant nails, broken glass, sharp sticks, etc. Consider a tougher, more resilient shoe like a thick-soled clog or some waterproof galoshes — and don’t be afraid to get colorful. The Original Muck Boot Company offers durable, flexible and weatherproof clogs, boots and shoes in women’s sizes 4-13 (we liked the pink houndstooth and plum vine designs). Wide openings for tucking in pants can also be godsends for plus-size women with wide calves. The spring green cheerfulness of this pair from Sloggers (up to size 10) was almost enough to make me want to grab a Garden Weasel. Other fun finds include the Ladybug Clogs from Ranger (available in sizes 5-11 and in basic colors or bright, outdoorsy designs).

When it comes to gardening gloves, women with larger hands have lots of options for digging in safety and style. If your hands or joints are sensitive, a pair of ergonomic gloves in sizes S-XL, while pricey ($37.99), may be worth the investment. For a more festive day in the yard, Mud Gloves® come in loads of bright, fun colors and sizes from XS-XL. Plus, the breathability and coated palm and fingers for gripping traction are paired with features like UV protection and aloe moisturizers. Ultimately, selecting the right type of gardening glove is more important than the pretty design, so make sure you take into consideration the work you’ll be doing. You’ll want a different glove for handling poisonous plants or chemicals (choose Neoprene) than you will for rough yard work like extreme pruning and moving brush (opt for leather).

Lighten the load with ergonomic gardening accessories

Safe, healthy yard work and gardening involve more than just happy hands and feet. It’s easy to tackle too much or stay in a position that’s hard on joints without realizing the damage done until the next day. Stocking your tool shed with the right ergonomic gardening accessories can make a big difference and keep you feeling your best.

Rather than kneeling directly on the ground, protect your knees with a kneeling pad. Ergonomic kneeling pads can be as simple as a waterproof foam wedge you can purchase at most lawn and garden centers, or they can be more elaborate — and even include reinforced knee areas and a back support option. Some women may feel more comfortable using a kneeling bench or choosing to sit on a rocker seat — this one supports weights up to 350 lbs. Just be sure you try any product first to ensure you feel safe and stable on it.

If you’re moving soil, mulch, supplies or debris around the yard, look for a cart or wheelbarrow that’s easy to maneuver. My friend Holly, the gardening fiend pictured above (and who I swear is a plant whisperer — seriously!), raves about her green Duraworx garden cart from Lowe’s. If pushing is more your thing than pulling a cart, choose one that does most of the heavy lifting for you, sparing your back, arms and legs the stress. Sears offers the Triad™ heavy-duty wheelbarrow, which is said to combine the ease of a cart with the capacity of a ‘barrow. And you can feel good about your garden and yourself by picking a pink ‘barrow with a looped handle (better for pulling/pushing) that helps fund breast cancer research.

Easier up and down to ground level

The fact that most gardening activities take place at ground level can complicate matters for larger women who may have difficulty hunkering down to the ground or standing back up again without holding onto something sturdy for leverage. While every person needs to find the approach that’s right for her, some ideas for overcoming this challenge include wide-base canes or robust, portable step stools that you can grip with both hands and push down on while raising yourself off the ground. Placing a more substantial stool near your garden area may provide the same access to leverage. (Readers: This is a great time to share your own tips for improvising leverage to stand — be sure to hit the comments section at the end of this post!)

If the up-and-down of sitting & standing isn’t a possibility, or if your knees or other joints can’t accommodate extended amounts of kneeling, crouching, bending or sitting low to the ground, another great way to maintain your gardening hobby or passion is through elevated gardening. Constructing raised garden beds elevates the ground level of your soil and plants to make it more accessible from a seated position. Similarly, stand-up gardens (sometimes called tabletop gardens) can be accessed from a standing or sometimes a seated position, making them much more ergonomically friendly. And don’t discount all the creative possibilities that window boxes, planters and hanging gardens provide — you can even grow strawberries and tomatoes from a teeny section of outdoor space!

No matter what your mobility or comfort level, the Web is crawling with additional resources for making gardening more accessible (including dozens of message boards, construction plans, DIY kits and awesome sites like The Able Gardener. Mix and match tips and techniques until you find the garden design and accessories that are right for you. We look forward to hearing from all of our green thumbs out there as your summer gardens progress. . . Now put your trowels UP!

Green-thumbed girls: Share your best fat-girl gardening find, a tip about making yourself comfy on the ground, or a challenge you’ve faced in the yard. And don’t forget to upload your photos to the FGG Flickr Group or leave us a message and a photo on our Facebook page! Fame and glory (since I’m not in charge of prizes) to those whose tomatoes can make Toni’s mouth water.

Skip the frills — give us inexpensive tennis apparel that fits
(image by Hannahblu59)

Hi, do you have any advice on plus-size tennis apparel?  I’ve looked at Junonia but their selection is very limited — and expensive!

It’s true that while Junonia offers a good selection of active apparel designed for plus-sized women — including a collection of QuikWik® tennis gear — their pieces don’t come cheap. My thoughts on Junonia are twofold: First, some of the pricing reflects the old “fat-girl clothes cost more” method that keeps us muttering under our breath every time we whip out our Visa. Second, I have to give it to Junonia: their clothes are well-made and long-lasting. I’m not a tennis player (unless you count Wii Sports, and even then . . . I’m not a tennis player), but all of the active wear I’ve purchased and worn from the company held up long enough for me to wear it to death. While overpricing plus-sized clothes still makes me angry, my experience with Junonia apparel tends to follow the “you get what you pay for” adage.

Turns out, the high cost/few options tennis clothing dilemma doesn’t just exist at Junonia. Plus-size pickings are slim when it comes to tennis shirts, skirts, dresses and shorties, and locating low-cost, plus-size tennis clothes is even more challenging. We found a decent selection of items in extended sizes (up to 3X/24W) at Tennis Hut, and we like the wide array of color choices they provide for most items. Overall, most of their prices came in 25-40% less than comparable Junonia pieces (their shorts and panty collection, in particular, was slightly larger and more reasonably priced). That said, we’re talking about skirts and tanks priced at $42 and $44 (on sale), respectively, as compared to their $59.95 counterparts. Tennis isn’t a cheap sport, but at least these prices are a bit lower.

Lower still: the prices at Ad In Tennis Apparel. We love that this online retailer not only offers active wear (including tennis tops and bottoms) in sizes up to 3X/24W, but they also offer free customization of inseam lengths, sleeve types and fabric choices. What a boon for us girls with longer- or shorter-than-average limbs! Be sure to measure carefully and double check your work before purchasing — custom orders are non-refundable.

Try to shop for sales; many online retailers (like MyTennisStore.com and Junonia’s own clearance section) will offer markdowns as seasons change or when only a few sizes remain in a particular style. Keep your eyes peeled and you might score deals like $51 skirts on sale for $29.99 (size 2X only). And whatever source you choose, make sure you’re still getting the proper fit and moisture protection you need to feel and perform at your best on the court.

Tennis-savvy readers: Help your fellow girls out and tell us which brands and retailers serve LOVE. (Sorry — couldn’t resist!)

Look your best in a suit that both fits and flatters (image by BigGirlBlue)

The arrival of Memorial Day weekend means summer is finally here, bringing with it the hum of air conditioners, an ice cream sweet tooth, the overwhelming urge to run through sprinklers, and (deep breath, ladies) the return of swimsuit season.

Before you hit the eject button on this post and go back to poring over post mortem on “Lost” or debating/defending last night’s “American Idol” results, hang with us for a moment. Here at FGG, we know only too well how the second-skin cling of a bathing suit (coupled, of course, by the awkward necessity of shedding one’s clothes or cover-ups at some point to reveal said suit) can be kryptonite for even the most together girl. And yet, the brave ones among us have learned that feeling confident and attractive makes swimming, soaking, sunning and splashing infinitely much more appealing. Don’t think it’s possible? Whether you’ve previously rocked a swimdress, a classic tank, separates, or an “all my clothes and. . . this towel, thanks!” ensemble, we’ve culled through this season’s most fabulous styles to tempt you with amazing looks for your individual figure. So grab your waterproof sunscreen and a cool drink — surfing for your next suit begins right here.

To swim skirt or not to swim skirt

My best friend and I have debated this topic for years: She’s always been vehemently anti-skirt and, until recently, I wouldn’t set foot in public without one. There’s a lot to love about swim dresses on dry land — they drape nicely, give us a little more coverage and security, and they can make us look hot. But once it becomes waterlogged or begins floating up around your armpits, the skirt grows cumbersome. For me, it got to the point where I loathed my swim dresses and begrudged their extended drying time and refusal to stay under the water when I swam; at the same time, I clung to the notion that the skirt somehow rendered my butt and thighs invisible.

Although I can’t swear I’ll never find myself back in a swim dress, I have made some semblance of peace with my more-than-ample bottom by wearing a one-piece that fully covers me and doesn’t ride too high on my thighs. I’m also enamored with the idea of throwing on a pair of board shorts for romping around in Lake Huron during my summer vacay. (Lighter weight swim shorts bunch too much when I move; I need a more solid material, but your mileage will no doubt vary.)

If you’re not comfortable shedding the skirt — or if you love the way a dress looks and don’t spend as much time in the water — don’t resign yourself to solid, basic black. The possibilities for adorable swim dresses are nearly endless, so let your flirty or colorful side come out and choose something that fits your personality or still allows you to get in the water and move.

Waist-whittling swimsuit styles

Girls with thicker tummies and fewer hip curves are perfect candidates for the tankini style, which often allows you to mix and match bottom and top sizes, colors and styles to find the look that’s best. For an up-to-the-minute look, look for bright splashes of color on a cut that doesn’t cling to the belly but still has a shape to it. Many suits (including some tankini bottoms) will include tummy control panels or a higher percentage of Lycra/spandex to help provide control.

Other ideas for minimizing your midsection: select a one-piece design that visually elongates your body or contours your waist through stripes, color blocks or piping. Or try suits that add shirring or ruching to create the illusion of a more defined waist while disguising lumps; this is trickier, because the right design will be slimming while the wrong one will add bulk.

Pear-shaped swimwear possibilities

If you’re used to hiding in basic, solid colors, consider a daring change of pace and try another one of this season’s hot trends: graphic prints. Paired with a solid, dark-colored bottom, an attractive print on top works beautifully for girls looking to downplay their hips and butt. Whether employed on a tankini top or just the upper portion of a one-piece, prints draw the eye upward and away from your heavier areas.

An eye-catching neckline can also help focus attention on your assets — think shoulders, neck, cleavage and maybe even a collarbone. Deep V-neck styles are big right now, so be bold and flaunt a bit up top while your bottom stays comfortably covered.

Suits for babes with big busts

The “shelf” bra included in many swimsuits doesn’t cut it when you’ve got a larger chest (especially one that requires some additional help to stave off gravity). That’s why girls with big busts (D-cup or above) do well with higher necklines and more support, including underwires. It may seem like a bummer to wear a wire on the beach, but the structure improves your entire appearance by keeping all your parts in their right places and your silhouette sexy. And no one says you have to sacrifice style for support.

In addition, busty babes should look for wide-set shoulder straps that are thicker (avoid spaghetti straps and tube/bandeau tops) and form an ‘X’ or ‘T’ in back, rather than a ‘U’ shape. Halter necklines are often great for larger chests, as well, because they can be adjusted to create more support.

Swimwear for hourglass figures

Retro fashions are everywhere this season, and we think they’re a perfect match for the classic hourglass figure. Don’t be put off by the curve-hugging cuts — or some of our shopping suggestions (they’re available in 2X. . . how could we resist?). If you’ve got a fairly balanced bust-to-hip ratio, these suits are designed to flatter plus-sized bodies like yours. Embrace your curves and have some fun with your figure this summer. After all, these looks were good enough for Marilyn, right?

Roll call: where to buy plus-sized swimwear

We’ve linked to a number of different sources and examples in this Guide, but for a handy-dandy CliffsNotes list, we’ve found great suits over the years at the following retailers:

• www.alwaysforme.com
• www.avenue.com
• www.jcpenney.com
• www.junonia.com
• www.landsend.com
• www.lanebryant.com
• www.swimsuitsforall.com
• www.swimsuitsjustforus.com
• www.torrid.com
• www.womanwithin.com

No matter your swimsuit size, classics are always in style

It’s important to keep in mind that trends come and go, but the basics of bathing suit fitting never go out of style. It’s well and good for a suit to look cute when you’ve arranged your body into it just right and posed in the mirror, but that’s not real life. Be sure to put your prospective suit through a full-on movement test before taking the plunge; you should be able to walk, bend, stretch, sit, twist and complete any other beachy activities without the suit gapping, pinching (especially at the legs) or requiring tugging or readjustment. And don’t forget a boob test — lean forward and shake the girls around to make sure the neckline is appropriate and the bra keeps you in place.

Finally, remember that guidelines aren’t carved in stone and won’t work for every person. Ultimately,  you have to choose the look and style that makes you most comfortable. After all, the trendiest bathing suit in the world won’t do a bit of good if it stays in your drawer all summer.

Readers: the floor – or should we say pool deck – is yours. Tell us about your “perfect for me” suit — including where you found it. Share the styles that have you excited this season, or clue us in on a store we might have missed.

Are these Shape-ups fat-girl friendly?

Dear FGG: I keep seeing ads for all these shoes that tone your body just by walking in them. Do they actually work? And are they safe for overweight women to wear? I’m afraid I’ll topple over!

Lately, it’s hard to miss commercials for either the new Sketchers Shape-ups or Reebok’s EasyTone fitness footwear. Although designed very differently, both are based on a similar concept (decreased stability is used to engage and challenge muscles) and are promoted as a faster way to achieve a toned butt and legs, while also losing weight. To test these claims, I trotted into two local shoe stores for some fat-girl field research, where I spoke with a shoe-fitting guru for scoop on whether these shoes live up to their hype.

Sketchers Shape-ups

Although you can purchase these puppies in every style from sandals to boots to standard athletic shoe, two different staff members at my local Lady Foot Locker assured me that the rocker technology on all the shoes was the same — a claim the Sketchers web site seems to reinforce. The signature curved, rocking-horse nature of each Shape-ups sole is designed to mimic the effect of walking on soft ground, where your heel sinks in and your muscles have to work to stabilize the body with each step. The unique design also gives the shoes a platform-like look and feel, adding a couple of inches to the wearer’s height.

After lacing up the black & white “Strength” models a clerk brought out at random for me to try (a design I’d actually consider owning — plus a name that matches my shoulder tattoo), I completed several laps around the store to get a feel for the shoes. Although I felt the “soft sand” comparison immediately, the shoes weren’t uncomfortable to wear; at no point did I feel as though I’d fall over — due to my weight or otherwise. Wearing them definitely forced me to pay attention to how I was walking, which likely affected my posture for the better. And whether it was just the increased emphasis on my stride or the actual science of the shoe, I did feel my calves working harder during the five minutes I tooled around the store.

Ultimately, although I remained curious about the Sketchers and would have loved to give them a lengthy, in-home test run, two things would likely keep me from purchasing them for myself. First, the price tag was steep–$110 for a pair of shoes I couldn’t see myself wearing everywhere due to their just-plain-weird profile. But more importantly, the shoes didn’t seem to offer any allowances for the way my feet behave when I walk. The straightforward arc on the shoe is made for people whose feet land 100% straight ahead and flush with every step, where some people (myself included) have feet that land at an outward angle, and others walk pigeon-toed. Additionally, I could occasionally feel my foot coming down along the outside edge of the sole as I strode, leaving me to wonder if I might at some point hyper-extend or turn my ankle in shoes designed to channel me into walking in a way that conflicted with my foot’s shape and natural tread.

Reebok EasyTone

Rather than an elevated rocking-horse arc on their soles, shoes in the Reebok EasyTone line instead employ what the company calls “balance pods” on the sole and heel to create instability. I took my questions about this shoe straight to an expert — longtime professional shoe fitter (and surname-phobic) José of family-owned and operated Murphy’s Fit shoe store and athletic wear in Evanston, IL. Settled in a comfy fitting chair (which moments earlier had been occupied by local nightly news anchor, Mark Suppelsa as he laced up new kicks), I asked José directly, “Are these types of shoes safe to wear, or will they make a person — especially an overweight person — feel too unstable?”

With a wry smile (I’m guessing he’s fielded this question often lately), José told me I’ve essentially answered my own question with just one key word: Unstable.

Using my own worn-out gym shoe to demonstrate, José walked me through his expert opinion on “toning” shoes: “Only eight percent of people will actually see any real benefit from these shoes,” he said, pausing to laugh at my stunned reaction. “Eight percent of people strike on the outside [of their foot] and stay on the side. They’re called ‘supinators.’ They tend to have a high arch and don’t require a lot of stability from their shoes because their feet never cave in when they walk.” As it turns out, because they keep their weight on the outside edges of their shoes — where the EasyTone balance pods meet regular sole — “they’re the only ones who would ever see ANY results from this shoe. For everyone else, it has the potential to be dangerous.”

Dangerous? Really? “Sixty percent of people strike in the back [of the foot] and roll through at least partially before their foot caves toward center,” said José. These are “pronators,” and I’m apparently one of them, although my feet don’t roll in until the very last minute. “The [EasyTone] shoe isn’t stable for pronators because of the placement of the [balance pod] ball. These people need stability when they walk so they don’t injure themselves.” The final 30% of walkers can be described as “over-pronators” who tend to have flatter feet and lower arches. According to José, these strides don’t strike at the back but instead roll inward immediately, thereby also requiring a shoe with stability. While there’s no “weight limit” on either type of shoe, the unstable feeling they create could be hazardous to anyone more prone to falling or turning an ankle — big girls included.

Ultimately, after trying out the Shape-ups and getting schooled on pronation statistics as they apply to EasyTone designs, I felt very comfortable with my final shoe purchase — a running shoe designed for pronators, complete with a 1/4″ instep wedge to provide stability for my “ballerina feet” (as José described them). While the flashy gimmicks and promises of faster/easier/better toning and weight loss may be alluring — and the shoes may actually work for some — don’t forget that tried-and-true fitness tips are tried-and-true for a reason. Have your feet professionally sized and your walk (also called ‘gait’) evaluated, then invest in a pair of shoes that  provide support where you need it. . . and use them — often!

Have you guinea-pigged a pair of toning shoes? Tell us why you love ‘em or loathe ‘em in comments.

Bikes have never been cuter – or more comfortable! (Image by ubrayj02)

From remakes of old skool flicks (including the recent redo of A Nightmare on Elm Street) to the return of skinny jeans and ballet flats, it seems everything old really is new again. Sometimes, as in the case of the latest trend in bicycling, this is a very good thing. Search for “retro” or “cruiser” and “bike,” and your browser will display a two-wheeled blast from the past. I don’t know about you, but my first thoughts when I first saw Tee’s Craisglist score of an Electra “Twiggy” was: that seat looks COMFY!

Before I began bicycling regularly, I dreaded that first ride of the season because my butt would be sore afterward (even though I always recovered by the second or third ride). According to Tee, this isn’t as much of an issue with the wider, springier (literally) cruiser bike seat. That was a big deal for her because getting back on a bike after many years can easily be discouraging if your butt is sore all the time. This style of seat also mitigates the “butt overflow” factor common with today’s standard bike seats — a nice boost for both comfort and self esteem.

Because road bikes tend to feel flimsy and intimidating to girls who haven’t been on a bike in a long time, cruisers offer a bit of brawn to support a big girl who wants a leisurely riding experience. Cruiser bikes marvelously mesh mountain bike sturdiness with road bike agility while allowing riders to sit upright instead of hunching or leaning forward as riders do on more athletic styles. Plus, they look both cool and stylishly cute and come in fun, flirty colors like ivory, pink, and powder blue – and we know it never hurts to look adorable, even while bicycling.

Designed for recreational riding, cruisers are also less complicated to operate than bikes designed for distance or rugged terrain. They can handle city streets and a gravel country road equally well, making them a good transitional bike for those who want to move on to more athletic models at some point. There tend to be fewer gears and some models come with pedal braking systems, which might feel more familiar for more tentative riders to operate. Most major manufacturers like Schwinn and Trek and outfitters like REI offer cruisers in a range of prices, but don’t forget to check Craigslist for gently used bikes – Tee found hers for a fraction of the retail price. Big box retailers like Target and Walmart also carry cruisers at lower prices, so there’s something for just about any budget out there.

Tee says she loves all of the great comments she gets when she rides around the streets and trails of Reno. “Everywhere I go, people LOVE this bike and smile and wave and comment on it, which ends up feeling a lot better than the ‘fat girl on a bike’ looks I expected I might get.” This is the perfect time of year for a leisurely ride and for getting out and looking cute – and cruisers offer us fat girls the perfect excuse to ride in safety and style. If you’ve been hesitant to try bicycling for a while, consider testing out a cruiser and seeing if you won’t love one, too.

Girls, have you embraced the retro cruiser bike trend? Tell us what you think in comments. And if you find yourself jonesing for a new bike, check out the Fat Girl’s Guide to Cycling for tips on getting started.

Gulf Coast, 2006: The day we built a playground with KaBOOM!

I was racking my brain Wednesday night for a way to kick off this week’s Guide (okay, truthfully I was watching “American Idol” at my friend’s house), when the show’s annual philanthropy-fest, “Idol Gives Back,” aired a piece that outlined the important work done by Feeding America. “I would love to work for Feeding America,” my friend said wistfully, “but I’d feel too weird about being a fat girl working for a hunger relief organization.” And just like that, this intro wrote itself.

Volunteering: The great equalizer

Here we are on Earth Day, smack dab in the middle of National Volunteer Week — what better time to tackle the perceived notion that fat girls are somehow lazy and inactive? The amazing plus-sized beauties in my world lead rich, diverse lives that include: horseback riding, travel, tennis, gardening, motherhood, yoga, cycling, softball and — for some — healthy doses of community involvement. Yet for some of us, it’s tougher to overcome the internalization of the notion that we “can’t” do something because of our weight. Maybe it’s because many of us equate volunteering with food pantries and soup kitchens, and anything involving food feels like it draws attention to us. Or maybe it’s because we fear not being able to keep up with the energy levels of those we’d be joining in whatever effort we chose. Martin Luther King once said:

Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. . . . You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.

Granted, Dr. King didn’t include “You don’t have to have a BMI lower than 25 to serve,” but his point is clear: Service is the great equalizer. Rich, poor, young, old, Ph.D. or high school dropout, fat or thin — it doesn’t matter who you are. It only matters that you want to lend a hand. And ladies, there are 10 times as many ways to pitch in as there are those of you reading these words right now.

Beyond food banks

It’s difficult to pinpoint how food became the default association when we think of volunteerism; perhaps it’s because hunger is such a universal issue. Or maybe it’s because, for those new to community service, spending a few hours packing food boxes or serving hot meals offers an easy, single-day way to get involved. Regardless, if you’re looking to avoid any perceived stigma (your own or otherwise) about being a fat girl working with food, don’t worry — there are scores of other ways to pitch in.

Our recent Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Closet mentioned donating your ill-fitting clothes to charitable organizations, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Opportunities to make a difference exist all around you — at your child’s school, through your church or as part of neighborhood clean-and-green efforts. If you’re not sure where to begin, try searching VolunteerMatch or Serve.gov, online databases of volunteer openings that are as easy to use as plugging in your zip code and area of interest. Idealist.org lets you be even more specific in searching its 18,000+ opportunities by selecting specific issue areas or skills used. Another great option to investigate is HandsOn Network, which includes 250 Action Centers in 16 countries. From big city organizations like Chicago Cares, New York Cares and Hands On Atlanta to smaller community hubs like Volunteer Center of Johnson County (Kansas) and HandsOn Bay Area (California), these centers are your local volunteer experts and can help connect you with a meaningful project that addresses critical need in your own community.

Find your volunteering niche

Because there are literally thousands of charities and volunteer opportunities out there, this is one of the few areas in life where you can essentially write your own ticket. So pick a cause that’s near and dear to your heart. Local animal shelters and adoption centers can almost always use volunteers to maintain the facilities and to walk, socialize and care for the animals. Various services for veterans rely heavily on volunteer assistance, and many youth organizations are starved for volunteers to staff their educational and recreational programs. Or you could pair good deeds with a current health or fitness goal and raise money while walking or running. Many 5K or 10K events also include a walking option; some are even geared toward families. Find an event near you by searching the Runner’s World database (look for walk/run combos).

If you’re looking for an activity that doesn’t require a lot of mobility or physical exertion, consider donating blood — zero exertion and free cookies! If you’re a knitter, take on a few projects that will benefit homeless or underprivileged kids or adults. Not crazy about needles of either kind? Become a trained domestic violence hotline volunteer, provide some companionship or a game of Bingo at the local senior center, or become involved as an ESL volunteer or youth tutor. In addition, nearly every nonprofit organization, large or small, welcomes willing, enthusiastic volunteers who can provide administrative or reception support. Your professional skills may come in handy, as well; try scanning the “get involved” or “support” pages for organizations you respect to locate their wish lists, which will often include services like PR, marketing, graphic design or accounting. Basically, if you have the time, an organization will gratefully find a way to use it.

Fight the “fat girls can’t…” notion

One of the scariest and most fulfilling experiences of my life took place in October 2006 in Biloxi, MS. A year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf coast, I finally had the time and money to spend a week participating in the rebuilding efforts. Having convinced a friend to join me, we made arrangements with Hands On Gulf Coast (now Hands On Mississippi), booked our flights, and spent a week eating communal meals and sleeping in bunk beds, dorm-style, surrounded by dozens of other volunteers.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I don’t take naturally to physical activity and hard labor; I’m an indoor, creature comforts kind of girl, and I’ll choose the escalator over the stairs every single time. So the idea of spending my vacation willingly rising at dawn and working until my feet ached and my muscles screamed was a huge step outside my comfort zone. I had several moments leading up to the trip where I thought, “Oh my God, I’m not going to be able to do this. I’m too overweight and out of shape. People will laugh at me. It’s going to be too hard.” But I’d spent the whole year wishing I could do something to help, and thankfully, that conviction overshadowed the massive doubts I was having.

The days were long and the work was hard. We spent two work days working on the community gardens maintained by HOGC, hauling fence portions and bags of Quikrete, digging post holes, hanging and setting fencing, painting the fence. Another day was spent raising a playground from the ground up with KaBOOM! (see photo, above). When we arrived on site that morning, there was an empty lot behind the school and a ton of supplies, tools and play equipment components; when we left that afternoon, 200 people from all over the county had created a full-scale playground for the kids to enjoy. I worked alongside the school’s principal atop a 10-foot-tall pile of playground mulch. I pitchforked mulch until my arms felt like they would rip off in protest. It was one of the most fulfilling days of  my life. That trip taught me that my weight may make some things more challenging (I’ve never popped so much Aleve), but it doesn’t define me unless I let it.

Celebrate the benefits of giving back

You don’t have to hop a plane to the nearest disaster zone or become Queen of the Mulch Pile to prove that fat girls can do anything they want to do. All you need is the willingness to step outside of your daily routine for a few hours here and there. Volunteer by trying something new or doing what you do best. Either way, the boost of accomplishment and confidence is one we could all use. Plus, if you’re shy about meeting people, community service is a terrific way to ease into a new network of friends with similar interests and passions. There’s even been research done to suggest that volunteering makes us healthier. The only question left is: How will you choose to get involved?

How do you stay involved in your community? Has your weight ever held you back? Tell us in comments.

Image by LizMarie

Seasonal transitions can make heading outdoors to walk or hike downright intimidating: What if it rains? What do I do about mud puddles on the trail? How did I get roped into doing this 5K walk in the park for charity? What’s this snow doing here–I thought it was too late in the year for that! Wherever you’ll be hiking or strolling outdoors, it can be scary worrying about getting wet, being cold, or falling or twisting an ankle. We’ve got good news – it’s possible to hike comfortably in any weather with a little preparation and know-how–read on for some solutions to get you past many of the most common hiking hurdles.

First, get your head in the game.

I’m not much of a sports fan, nor do I play one on TV, but I did marry one. And something I’ve observed while watching heated competitions with my husband is how vital the mental component is to any sport. If a couple of players start looking defeated when they fail to score, you can see it reverberate throughout the team. The most important piece of gear to pack is your brain. I understand the fear of falling, possibly more than many people after breaking my leg slipping on ice. While pregnant. (Good times). Carrying extra pounds can skew our center of gravity and affect how we judge our movements, especially if we haven’t been active in a while and need to recalibrate our responses. Hiking with that knowledge in mind is important, but shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Based on my own trail-tested trial and error, if you’re taking baby steps and worrying over every ice patch or root hidden under leaves, how much fun will you have? Also, I think if you invite disaster, it’s more likely to get a nasty toe in the door, so whenever possible, be careful but carry an “act as if” attitude that you’re safe and strong and moving with purpose, and you’ll enjoy your experience much more.

Outerwear

We’ve covered hiking wear basics in our Guide to Hot Weather Hiking and the companion  Guide to Cold Weather Hiking (what can we say? We really like hiking, and we cover it here often because just about anyone at any fitness level can do it). To put it simply, dressing for the weather will guarantee a comfortable, and therefore enjoyable, hike. For rainy weather, there are some choices in plus size rain gear, but as usual, the big outdoor retailers like REI don’t seem to offer much. There’s  several to choose from at Land’s End, which ranges up to size 3X, this packable one from Travelsmith goes up to 3X, this one from Woman Within comes in 4X, and I hope you’re sitting down (to lace your hiking boots), because Junonia’s Cloudburst comes in a 6X! As seasons change you can often find steals in colder weather clothing so look for deep discounts on fleece layers – you want a breathable-but-warm fabric that doesn’t stay wet when it gets wet to prevent hypothermia on the trail.

Boots or shoes

This is not the time to stroll outdoors in your 5-year-old Keds. For hiking any distance, particularly on tricky terrain, you’ll want boots or shoes with serious ankle support and soles with a good grip. I’m a fan of trail runners and mid-height hiking boots, and there are ample brands to choose from. I know Keen is good for wider feet, though I haven’t found them to be as sturdy as I’d like (please feel free to correct me here), and I love Montrail for my narrow size 10s. For a truly nerdilicious resource, Backpacker magazine runs an annual Gear Guide every March that’s packed with hiking boot and shoe reviews (worth checking out at your local library or you can order back issues here for $7).

Hiking gear

Depending on the trail conditions, there’s more than one item that can keep you safely on the trail. Like these awesome little workhorses called YakTrax, which attach to the bottom of your boot or shoe to provide traction on slippery surfaces. Trekking (or hiking) poles are another item worth a serious look, but they come with a bit of a learning curve and should never serve as a substitute for carefully planting your feet with every step. What trekking poles can do is take some of the load off your knees during steep inclines and downhills, and they do help stabilize you on uneven ground. Backpacker magazine’s gear editor, Kristen Hostetter, shows how to use hiking poles in this brief video, and good outfitters will offer demos and tips in stores before you buy.

Moves to strengthen your body for hiking

Backpacker magazine has a few “spring training” moves for getting into trail-ready condition (if a full lunge is too much for you right now, check out these excellent alternatives and modifications at the About.com guide to Exercise), and here’s a great article on strengthening ankles at home. And don’t forget to stretch! The Fat Girl’s Guide to Stretching is a great starting point.

Here are some specific tips for navigating tricky terrain:

* Ice and snow - If you’re doing an early spring hike and there’s only a couple of inches of snow to deal with, YakTrax are your friend here. If not, having warm, sturdy, supportive boots will get you through just fine. For deeper snow, snowshoes are a must – check out The Fat Girl’s Guide to Snowshoeing and Cold Weather Hiking for pointers on getting started.

* Rocky, root-filled terrain - Here’s where getting – and keeping – your head in the game is crucial. I just did a hike on a leaf-covered trail with golf-ball-sized rocks and protruding roots. Sure, I stumbled once or twice at first, but I didn’t let the precariousness get the best of me. Wear supportive footwear (this is a case where mid-height to full hiking boots are a good idea), keep a steady pace that feels comfortable for you, and make sure to keep a firm heel-to-toe stride.

* Muddy and slippery, with puddles and wet leaves - If you’re hiking during this time of year, chances are you don’t mind a little mud and water; tread cautiously over any slippery patches. If your boots or shoes aren’t already waterproof or resistant, you can treat them with products like NikWax. Wearing socks made of non-cotton fabrics (like SmartWool or Thorlo will help keep your feet dry if your footwear gets wet.

* Frequent, steep inclines - Here’s where trekking poles can be your friend, but knowing your abilities and limitations is important here, too. Because I have asthma, going higher means I must make frequent stops while ascending steep hills. But for me, hiking is about taking in the scenery and not a race, pausing is a normal and welcome part of any steep hikes I take.

* Stream crossings and/or slippery rocks - This article from the Orange County Register is filled with common sense tips on crossing streams safely – crucial to staying relatively dry and avoiding tragic and often preventable accidents. During springtime, water levels can rise and currents can increase due to runoff from snow melting, so get a really good sense of the current and depth and don’t hesitate turn back if you’re at all unsure of the safety of crossing.

* Sand - Unless there are nasty burrs or goat head stickers (huh? check out this entertaining description) – i.e., smooth sand dunes vs. wild and woolly desert – you can swap the boots/trail runners for rugged (but super-comfy) outdoor sandals like Tevas or Chacos. To keep ankles steady, focus on walking at a comfortable pace instead of hurrying, which leads to stumbling and staggering instead of striding.

Readers, let’s hear it! What’s the trickiest hike you’ve done? How about your favorite hiking gear? Any brands or other resources not mentioned here we should know about? Share them in the comments.