Feel the rain and do it anyways.

One of the primary lessons I've learned in getting and staying fit is that exercise sessions often don't go as planned.  Your exercise buddy doesn't show up, the class is canceled and on the day of your big group walk, it rains.  Sometimes it seems like the entire universe is conspiring against you in reaching your fitness goals.

In this situation, you have two choices.  You can say, awww the heck with it and go watch TV.  Or you can get out there and do it anyways.

This past Saturday was the final leg of our progressive Mara-thon at church where we raised money for the Mara district in Africa.  During the Mara-thon, we raised money to buy motorcycles and bicycles for the Mara missionaries--to help them cover their district which is 700 km from end to end.  This is roughly the distance between Los Angeles and Phoenix.  That's a long darn way over some hot and dry terrain.  And I think it's fairly safe to say, that their travel/exercise conditions are rarely optimal. 

So it was apropos, that this past weekend, for the final leg of our Mara-thon, we had some pretty tough weather.  It rained.  (and rained and RAINED!)  But I'm proud to say, that our little band got out our umbrellas and raincoats and just got on with it!  Yes it was tough.  Yes we got cold and wet.  But we didn't suffer anything that a cup of hot coffee and a nice warm bath couldn't cure.

Yes it was raining (cats and dogs) but we decided to feel the rain and do it anyways.  We were cold.  We were wet.  But above all, we were proud.

So my little chicklettes, here's my wish for you.  We're coming into the holidays--when there are built in excuses to avoid exercise around every single corner.  You may be tired.  You are undoubtedly busy.  But I'm asking you to put on your raincoat, grab your umbrella and exercise anyways.  Enjoy some well-earned pride along with your holiday pie.

Love,
The Fat Chick

A Big Fat Juicy Kiss!

(Fantastic Photo by Kelly Varner)

After the flap over the now infamous Maura Kelly blog post on MarieClaire.com about how she felt that fat people kissing or indeed walking across a room would be "gross", I've been thinking a lot about the simple kiss.  Much to my delight, I watched as rad fatties and friends staged a "Big Fat Kiss In" at Friday closing time in front of the Hearst building.  I participated in Big Fat Blog's Virtual Kiss in with a photo of my own.  I kissed and was kissed.

Right smack (hee hee) in the middle of all this hullabaloo about kissing, a new episode of Glee aired, with a kissing theme.  And intwined in the plot was a very sensitive and interesting story about two characters who had "never been kissed".  Both characters expressed their angst over never having been kissed and what that meant--were they good enough?  Were they desirable?  Would they ever find somebody to kiss?

And this strikes at a deep fear that many of us share--the fear that we are not kissable--that despite the prince (or princess) inside, folks just can't get past the "frogness" outside.

That's what makes Maura's post so dangerous and damaging.  That's also what makes the Kiss-ins so extraordinary.  This Kiss-ins show that Maura is just WRONG.  The kiss-ins remind us that we are all not only kissable, but liable to be bussed in public for all the world to see.  It's a simple and powerful statement--"It's not just the skinny chicks that get kissed.  Fat Chicks get kissed too, and some of OUR snogging is simply epic".

So, my little chicklettes, it's time to tell those who shame you or make you feel inadequate to "kiss off!"  And it's time to simply line everybody else up for a kiss.  Smile and share a smooch with somebody today.  Don't let ANYONE you love say they've never been kissed.

Love and Kisses,
The Fat Chick

Eat, Move, Live, and SHARE

I'm so excited!  I've been invited by the City of Hope to present fitness information and demonstrations as part of their Eat, Move, Live series.  In these sessions I meet with parents and children and help them learn how to integrate fitness into their daily lives.  We had the first session this past Tuesday and it was awesome!  You know, whenever I teach a new class, before I turn on the music and get everybody up and dancing, there's always a moment where my students are unsure.  They seem to ask themselves, "Can I do it?"  "Will it be too hard?"  "Will I hate it?"  "Will I look stupid?"  But after I turn on the music and get everybody started, there's that moment--usually halfway through the first song when I watch the questions on everybody's face turn to answers.  I watch their faces say, "Hey, I'm actually doing it!"  "It's not that bad!"  "It's actually kind of fun!"  "And I DON'T completely suck at it either."  Man, I gotta tell you, I love that moment.  As a teacher, it gets me totally jazzed.  I'd love for you to experience that moment too.

I wonder my dear friends, is there somebody in your life you could share that moment with right now?  Do you have a friend or a family member that just needs a little encouragement?  Is there somebody who just needs a little proof that they can do something totally amazing?  I want you to take a moment and think about it.  And if a name comes to mind, don't hesitate.  Call or email that person and help and share.  Because with all the talk about "runners high" and "endorphins", the high of helping somebody else find their strength, trumps all.

Oh and if you're in Southern California, and want to check out any of the two remaining sessions, don't forget to check my speaking schedule.  I can't wait to see you!

Love,

The Fat Chick