Hey Fat Girl....

PayneAS

frootcat

I think I may be too cynical This doesn't give me warm fuzzies at all.

KBGirts

A few years ago I went to Florida to watch a friend compete in the Ford Florida Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, full marathon). My friends and I were standing on the marathon course cheering on the tired participants. There, among the fit, chiseled triathletes, comes a woman who had to be 300 lbs. My first reaction was "How in the world is this fat woman actually out there competing in this elite event????" And then I remembered where I was.... standing on the sidelines watching......

What an inspiration she was!!!! Most people make excuses, even when they want to do something great.... my-158 lb-self included (I've said for years that I want to do an Ironman, but have yet to do it); but yet this woman, with more odds against her than anyone else out there, did not allow her physical size to deter her from doing something she wanted to do! She was out there, doing something that most people have never done and never will do! Granted she was slow, at a turtle crawl pace, but everyone there cheering on the participants recognized her efforts, and I swear she recieved ten times the amount of cheering and encouragement than the first place pro received. I don't know if she made the 17hr cutoff that night or not.... but I will never forget that woman.

I have set a goal to complete an Ironman by the time I am 35.... I've got 4 years. If that amazing woman can do it, then so can I!!! Thank you, woman who I do not know your name, but will never forget!!

And this is why your post is so important!!!! Even when you do not know your self worth, you never know who you are inspiring!!!! Keep on truckin' fat girl!!! Don't ever quit!!!!

AZnewme

Love this! Need to keep it close to my heart!

Muddy_Yogi

Amazing! Seriously!

morkiemama

Love this! Thanks for sharing

mangobadango

I love this. It is really an emphasis on stepping outside of your insecurities to see that others actually have admiration and respect for your efforts.

I'm always cheering the heavier people on in my head that I see outside going for a walk or attempting running. Something along the lines of "You go girl!"

RK262

That was great to read! Thanks for posting it.

NMJosephs

AMAZING! I have tears in my eyes. Thank you SO much for sharing!

brendaj39

thanks for sharing, i needed this :flowerforyou:

Jenks9

This is just what I needed today. I am walking - with the hopes of losing weight and working up to running. THANK YOU!

Syderelli

love this

jenbk2

This is truly the best post ever ! Thank you for sharing this.

AJ_Pete

Wow doesn't describe it. LOVE this. Got me all misty-eyed.

kaetmarie

*TEARS* I loved this!!

xYumzx

Yea I just got teary eyed reading this * I LOVE IT*

TeachTheGirl

This is awesome. It resonates so strongly with me. I still have trouble making eye contact with people despite my accomplishments and I think I'll forever be that 'fat girl' with her head down and headphones on.

Im_NotPerfect

Thank you SO much for sharing this. This is me. I started c25k on Tuesday and tomorrow is day 3. I was going to take an "off" exercise day today, but now I'm determined to find at least 30 minutes at some point today to ride on my stationary bike. And I WILL get up at 5 am tomorrow to do run #3.

I really needed this post. It truly makes me realize that not everyone is looking at me wondering if I've lost my ever loving mind for trying to run. Now I WILL do it and I WILL run a 5K at the end of July!

Babygirl928

:sad: that was absolutely PRICELESS!!!! I printed it and have put it on the wall here in my office and shrunk a copy for my purse. THANK YOU OP for posting this!!!! :drinker: :drinker:

RunHardBeStrong

I teared up as well! This could have been written about me just as well as thousands of others! I was once that "fat girl" at first I only worked out at home to avoid being seen, I wouldn't even let my husband or kids watch. Then as I started losing weight and becoming more confident I ventured out but avoided eye contact with those fitter than me. Now I still have some excess fat but I embrace going out for a run and LOVE making contact and small conversations with other runners but I love even more seeing overweight people out there for the first time trying then they keep coming back and become better and better. Nothing makes me prouder!

embersfallen

I am sooo happy that I read this. I am the "Fat Girl" I dont run but I go to the gym and blare my headphones not really looking at anyone. This is definite motivation to keep doing so. Thank you for sharing

I am *this girl* too....even now, 90 some odd pounds lighter. ( with a large number yet to go..) I still feel that way. I still blare my headphones...and I still hide over in the corner in Zumba. This post makes me happy and should be something every person who joins this site ...or any other weight loss site is told to read! It's a good reminder to the fit people who have never been in her shoes, to the ones who were years ago and she could never imagine ever WAS in her shoes, and to those starting out who struggle with feelings of shame and embarassment. Awesome awesome awesome!!!

christyd4

I frickin love this!! I am that fat girl in my crossfit classes. I'm the one the first time I did it I didn't want to look at anyone becuase I seriously am the only one out of shape there. BUT, the second class I looked up and the guys (yep not one girl in that class that night) were watching and smiling and high fiving just like I was "one of them" it gave me the courage that even though I was sore as hell and questioning my sanity to go back the next night and the next and the one after that. We are so hard on ourselves sometimes that we forget that the people around us working out, doing the same thing we are, probably have been there before.

InnerFatGirl

Love it

AlexanderK1994

Wow, that is really amazing... I try to run but when I do, I can do it for about 30 seconds and then revert back to walking. At a pace that's very, very slow, I can just do about 0.2 mile. Right now I'm more into muscle forming workouts but I think that once I'm ready I'm want to do C25K. I have this wish that one day I can run a marathon.

michellekicks

Awesome. Thanks for sharing that.

GetFitE

Nice Read.

I can relate to this SO well. I remember being the fat girl in middle school and high school--never wanting to run EVER, and then when I started my weight-loss journey and beginning my running journey... and then falling in love with the sport... I completed my first Half-Marathon in March. I feel like a superstar now that I have accomplished a Half--and if you could see my car, you would DEFINITELY say I was proud of that accomplishment (I have two 13.1 stickers on my car!)

WickedMouse

THIS.... This is what I needed today! Thank you for sharing. *wipes a tear*

SwimTheButterfly

Well written, profound and meaningful. Thank you :flowerforyou:

MissesJai

Love this!

soontobesam

That was beutiful & made me tear up a little bit. I hope to be that fat girl Sunday when I start the C25K program. I must do it, I spent $127 on New Balance runner! :blushing:

You can do it!! Take your time - do your best to control your breathing and don't give up on yourself. I never thought I could make it to week 6 but I did and even did some extra running for fun (if you knew me you'd know that's unheard of).