The Fat Girl's Guide to Living

Dirty, gritty, sun-kissed and happy on Utah’s Green River

When I started telling friends earlier this year that I was planning to spend five days in a canoe in the southern Utah wilderness this summer, I got lots of odd looks. The you’re crazy! look. The whatever for? look. The better-you-than-me look. The wow, your butt fits in a canoe? look.

A handful of friends did admit they thought it sounded like fun, but then most stared off into space as they imagined themselves getting stuck with their butts permanently wedged into the canoe seat, or worse, sinking the boat to the bottom of the river or launching a potentially smaller, lighter canoe partner 50 feet into the air, see-saw style, when they got in.

I am happy to report upon returning that my own smaller, lighter canoe partner, Billie, was at no time airborne for any part of those five days, no canoes were sunk and not once did I have to pry my butt from the gnarly jaws of the canoe seat. A guide was in order.

While canoeing is pretty simple, I’ll leave it to a short video and how-to page to give you the basics on strokes, paddling style and other technical information. What I’ll be focusing on here, naturally, are the questions and hesitations overweight women often have about canoeing. This guide will also be addressing day canoe trips, not overnight canoe camping trips, as well as standard canoe styles like those available for rent at most outfitters.

Can most overweight women fit in a canoe?

Unlike kayaks, which are also fat-girl friendly, most canoes are open-bottom vessels with bridge seats, that is, flat, bench-like seats that bridge the width of the canoe and attach to each side. These are usually level with the top edges of the canoe (vs. set down inside as with kayaks), which means there’s not a closed cockpit to squeeze into so much as an open platform to sit on. In standard canoes there are usually two of these: one in the very back of the canoe (stern) and one up toward the front (bow). Typically the front bench is wider than the back, but both seats can usually accommodate ample rear ends comfortably. Example.

I have bad posture, and canoe seats don’t have any back support. Is there anything I can do about that?

Yep! Most outdoor retailers sell stadium-style chairs designed to clip onto a standard canoe seat. These range from economy to mid-range to fancy, both in price and in comfort. I picked up a basic Walmart stadium seat for $17 and it worked great. The back support held a lot of weight, even leaning back on purpose, and it doubled as a camp chair every night around the fire.

If I’m really overweight, could I sink a canoe?

It would be tough to load a canoe with enough weight to sink it. Most standard canoes are rated with weight limits around 800 lbs, and some up to 1,200 lbs or more. That means if you and your canoe partner are each 300 lbs., you can load your canoe down with another 200-600 lbs of gear and supplies and be just fine (for most day trips, you’ll only need a small fraction of that). My canoe partner and I tipped the scales at a total of 390 lbs between us, and then had another 200-300 lbs of camping gear, stoves, five days’ worth of food and other items loaded in, and our 17′ Grumman canoe moved like a dream.

I’m afraid of the *getting in* part, either tipping the canoe over or flipping it up when I put all my weight on one end.

Canoes are built for steadiness, and their shape is such that it distributes weight evenly over the surface of the water even when large, imbalanced weight loads are placed on it. Sure, it’s possible to tip a canoe over if you’re not careful (this is true for anyone, not just those who are heavy), but you’re not likely to flip one up, see-saw style, unless you place more than half of the full weight limit on one end of an otherwise empty canoe. In most cases, you’ll load your gear and supplies in first, in the middle section of the canoe. At that point, anyone can step in on either end – and as long as you keep the weight of your step(s) along the center line, your boat will remain steady.

If I’m overweight, should I sit in the front or the back of a canoe?

Both stern and bow seats can accommodate most body shapes and volumes, so that decision depends on your level of skill, strength and experience. If you’re going solo in your canoe, you’re in charge of both propulsion paddling (moving forward) and steering (guiding the direction). You’ll want to sit in the back and put your stuff up front. If you’ve got a canoe partner, you can choose who sits where based on who wants to/can take on the majority of the paddling muscle (front) and who wants to/can do the steering (back). If you’ve both learned how to steer and paddle properly, you can change places as much as you like.

But if I’m heavy, won’t I slow the canoe down?

Not unless you don’t paddle! Weight-related drag is usually negligible unless you’re paddling against wind or a current. If you’re canoeing a river, the natural pace of the water will move you along, and you’ll just paddle in the slow or dead spots to keep things going. You’d be surprised at the amount of gain you’ll get from just a few strong paddle strokes, weight or no weight. We had five canoes on the river, which was flat and slow most of the trip, and the others nicknamed our canoe “Speedy Gonzales” because even being chubby we’d always end up far ahead of everyone else.

What is portaging, and should I be worried?

Portaging means taking your canoe out of the water and carrying it across land, sometimes for just a few feet around/over a sand bar, sometimes for several miles around impassable sections of river. Some canoers love the chance to portage (I, for the record, am not one of them), others avoid routes that require portaging at all costs. Most popular canoeing spots don’t require portaging, but if you’re heading out on an unfamiliar route, check with the outfitter or consult maps or local agencies to be sure – because if you’re out of shape, portaging can make an otherwise wonderful trip go sour pretty fast. During the five days and 60+ miles of our canoe trip, we had to get out and pull our canoe twice over small sand bars, but neither of those required much effort or more than a few minutes.

What about life vests and personal flotation devices (PFDs)? Do I have to wear one, and will they fit me?

Whether or not a PFD is required will depend on where you’re canoeing and who you’re renting from (if anyone). Most outfitters are required to provide you with a personal flotation device like a life vest and/or floating seat cushion. Unless the stretch of water you’re canoeing is known to get rough, using them is usually at your discretion. That said, standard adult life vests are usually one-size-fits all, and I can assure you they mean it. The straps are adjustable, and even the top-heaviest among us can buckle them fairly comfortably.

What else should I consider?

Canoeing and kayaking both are among the easiest sports for women who are overweight to take on. They’re low-impact, can be learned quickly (an hour demonstration by an outfitter before launch usually sends you off with what you need to know), allow you to cover good distances and see cool things in a fraction of the time and effort it would take to walk, don’t require you to be in good physical shape already, and give your core and upper body a surprisingly good workout without wearing you out.

General rules of outdoor recreation apply: wear sunscreen, bring a wide-brimmed hat for direct, mid-afternoon sun, have a basic first-aid kit available, drink plenty of water and let others know where you’ll be. Dress casually but with weather in mind, bringing a change of clothes if you don’t like spending the day partially wet (and you will, in most cases). If you’re diabetic, bring a few pieces of candy and any medications along in a waterproof dry bag. Water shoes are a great idea, especially if you plan to do any swimming. Tip: Celery sticks dipped in peanut butter, ham and cheese roll-ups, and beef jerky are great for picking up waning afternoon energy!

Remember: if you go, let us know! Leave a comment about your trip or your plans for one, and as always, we’d love to see the photographic evidence over in our FGG Girls Flickr Group.

On my favorite trail in Grand Teton National Park with one of my favorite people–my oldest son

Last week, we talked about what to wear when hiking (read Part 1 here). Today I’ll talk about what to bring.

Protect Yourself – Sunscreen (look for a sweat-proof type), insect repellent (don’t forget your ankles and shoes to prevent ticks from hitching a ride), and a loud whistle (to call for help or to dissuade wildlife or humans from sharing too much of your personal space). If you must hike alone, make sure at least one trusted person knows your exact route and estimated time of return. If you hike in an area prone to moody weather, bring a waterproof windbreaker or jacket made of moisture-wicking fabric like lightweight fleece.

Prevent chafing - I’ve heard that petroleum jelly is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent chafing but I haven’t tried this solution myself (chime in if you’ve tried it and whether it works in the comments section). Specific products like Sportwax and BodyGlide are other alternatives you can apply to areas that normally rub (arms/inner sleeves, tops of bra straps, inner thighs, etc.). Another solution is to wear clothing designed to prevent skin-on-skin contact, like bicycle shorts or stretchy capris. I wear these constantly in the summer; the fabric is a bit heavy for serious humid heat but the payoff in comfort is worth it to me. There’s also a relaxed leg version I’ve been coveting. And as I mentioned in Part 1 of The Fat Girl’s Guide to Hot Weather Hiking, investing in underwear designed to breathe and prevent chafing is a good idea.

Treat your feet – As Tee pointed out in the comments of The Fat Girl’s Guide to Hot Weather Hiking, Part 1, make sure your toenails are trimmed before hiking, especially if you’ll be hitting any serious hills. I ruined one toenail taking a downhill “shortcut” in the Tetons, and my Smartwool sock caught on another too-long toenail, nearly tearing it off while cross-country skiing (which for me involves a tragicomic amount of tipping over), so learn from the stupidity of those who have hiked before you.

If you have a blister or are breaking in new shoes and discover a “hot spot” rubbing anywhere on your feet, moleskin bandages are one way to protect that sore area. I recently tried BandAid Blister Block (click to receive a coupon) when my favorite cute shoes rubbed me the wrong way at a conference, and they worked really well. However, I haven’t trail tested them, and I noticed they are not for use by Type II diabetics, so be sure to check out any foot care products before use. Finally, If your hiking footwear regularly causes blisters, you might want to consider getting a different pair.

Water and snacks - Keeping hydrated is always a good idea, even on short hikes. Look for bottles made from BPA-free plastic or stainless steel and pack a granola bar or bagel with peanut butter (both keep well in a day pack or small purse). I love those little packs of Justin’s Nut Butters – they’re awesome on tortillas, which also carry well for longer hikes.

Carry-alls – Any type of daypack will do, just so it fits your body well without feeling too bulky in the heat. Be sure to try on different types to ensure a comfy fit. This one is super-cute; I like Eagle Creek because they make affordable day packs for casual users.

I realize all of this information may seem overwhelming, but keep in mind that hiking is just walking, but in nature on different terrain than you might be used to. Start small with shorter, easier hikes and work you way up to longer ones while keeping yourself safe and comfortable. And post your hiking tips, tricks, fave trails, and “I tried it!”‘s in our comments section.

Toni, hot on the trail

It’s the heart of summer in my part of the world. I’ll confess that where I live, the humidity and prolific, determined mosquitoes keep me off the trails in midsummer, but my day pack is always ready for those dry, breezy sunny days. What’s great about hiking is that just about anyone can do it, even if it means a short stroll through the woods at a local park, and it’s affordable. Best of all: it’s tough to walk in nature, letting everyday cares fall away, and not feel your spirits lifted.

In this entry, I’ll talk about what to wear. Next week, I’ll cover what to bring and some tips on hiking safely. After that, it’s up to you to hit the trails!

I’m often surprised to hear that people assume you need hiking boots to hike. I think hiking boots are a good idea if you’ll be backpacking and/or scrambling over rocky, mountainous or otherwise steep terrain. But if you’re a flatlander like me, either mid-height hikers, especially if your ankles are weak, or trail runners (I love my Montrails) are usually sufficient. Why trail runners? They’re a bit sturdier than walking or even regular running shoes. If all you have are generic athletic shoes, that’s fine, but make sure they’re in decent condition – the extra money you spend on quality fat girl footwear helps prevent injury and wear and tear on our bodies due to carrying extra weight.

Check out the new Outdoor.Zappos.com, which lets you search for shoes by activity, including hiking and offers the same free shipping policy as the main Zappos site. You know your body best – if you have Type II diabetes, weak ankles, or chronic foot pain, shop for the footwear that will serve you best. I realize that specialized shoes can be expensive, but due to a prior ankle injury, this is one area where I know that you get what you pay for.

As far as clothing, comfort and durability are key. Look for breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from the body. If your climate is prone to sudden changes, bring layers (a light jacket or rain poncho) and look for “convertible” pants that zip off into shorts. Junonia.com offers some in plus sizes, but I really wish they didn’t have that annoying tapered leg, mom jeans cut.

This is where I veer off trail momentarily to ask retailers like Title 9 Sports to carry their cool looking gear in plus sizes. Pretty please?

L.L. Bean has some–but not many–plus size offerings, as does Land’s End (I hike in these). Bermuda or bicycling shorts are a good option for comfort and coverage, and I’ve found they don’t ride up as much as shorter or wider-cut shorts.

Of course, outdoors-specific clothing can be spendy, so look around for bargains where you can and find stuff that’s comfortable while you walk. You don’t want anything that will ride or bunch up while you’re walking or that will hold sweat in. I’ve noticed exercise clothing made from breathable fabric at big box retailers like Target, so hop on that trend if you find affordable plus size athletic tops. Just check the return policy to make sure you can take things back after you’ve trail tested them.

That being said, these are my favorite underwear for keeping cool and comfy on the trail. I still haven’t found an exercise bra I like (share your recommendations here and look for a guide on them soon!), but my ideal workout bra would be breathable and supportive with convertible straps for tanks and sleeveless tees on the trail.

Stay tuned for next week’s guide to hot weather hiking – what to bring.

Tell us about your favorite hiking wear – who has the best quality at decent (or even bargain) prices?

Image via LandsEnd.com

Few people love shopping for swimwear, but I’ll admit to feeling a rush of excitement when the Land’s End catalog arrives each spring, because I know there will be several swimsuit options for my shape and size. Not that I buy a new swimsuit every year–the quality that goes into these suits usually means I don’t need a new one for at least three summers, which is great because these babies don’t come cheap.

However, filing under “you get what you pay for,” Land’s End stands by their products from cradle to grave, offering a money-back guarantee with no questions asked. They even throw in free shipping for returns on re-orders, or you can return your items at any Sears store. If you’re a risk-taker, waiting till Memorial Day or after (including now) means you can find many items on sale, provided they don’t sell out.

All of those things are great, but here’s what keeps me coming back to this company: Land’s End makes suits that actually fit plus size bodies. Even better: they offer enough styles, colors, and patterns to satisfy just about everyone. Plus size swimsuit seekers can choose among flattering, slimming one-piece numbers to mix-and-match separates and cover-ups in a variety of fabrics and patterns that are actually cute rather than a couple of token “Perhaps This Obnoxious Pattern Will Distract You From Noticing That I’m Fat” styles.

This year, I bought the Kaleidoscope Print V-Neck Swim Top (pictured, above) paired with the SwimShape Separates Solid Swim Mini™ in slimming black, and it looks and feels fantastic. The SwimShape Separates SwimMini™ has a tummy control panty built in that does its job while still allowing me to actually move around both in and out of the water. Last year I’d ordered the Beach Living Tummy Control SwimMini™, but found it ran a bit too short (14.5″ length) and flared, giving that “hippo in a tutu” look from Disney’s Fantasia we all know and hate. (Your mileage may vary if, unlike my body type, your thighs are slimmer at the top).

I returned last year’s skirt without hassle and also tried the Women’s Plus Size Beach Living Tummy Control Swim Shorts, but found they rode up my inner thighs when I walked; not the effect I wanted while strolling around poolside. (Again, if your legs are on the straighter side, the shorts will probably work really well for you).

I feel so confident and cute in the top and skirt I kept this season that I even waltzed into our public library to return books on the way to the pool while wearing it! I haven’t had that experience since childhood. Tee is trying to convince me to post a photo of myself in this year’s swimwear; what do you think? A few librarians vs. The Internet; how bad could it be?

Have you found a swimsuit you love? Share your favorite places to shop for swimwear in the comment section.