Health at every size, athletes of every variety

One of the best and most empowering things that the Elastic Waist Fitness Challenges have demonstrated is that you can be active and strive for fitness no matter what the number on the scale (or on the dress tag) says. I love that about you guys. I love that you refuse to believe that the only people who get to have fun in sports or work out at the gym are the people who look like the glowy hardbodies on the cover of Self or in the Nike and Reebok commercials. I know, from your comments, that many of the participants in the fitness challenges are struggling with body issues and that I'm not the only one who is over size 12 (and distinctly larger than Oprah).

Carrie has created a new Flickr pool to serve as a visual reminder that people of all sizes are active. She writes:

The goal is to work towards dispelling the myth that thin people are the only ones who exercise or have active lifestyles. I'm hoping to accomplish this by getting the word out and asking all of the fat or not traditionally athletic-looking folks out there to post pictures of themselves in the act of working out or in their workout clothes. We've gotten some great pics already, but we definitely need more.

I agree, the photos are amazing (you have to join the pool to see them) and inspiring! They make me want to get out and slap on a number and kick some major triathlon ass. Woo! I love that people can be so inspiring! Kinda disproves the media's contention that people are fat because they're inactive, huh? (Did you know that getting some fresh air may make you more active?)

I urge you to join the Flickr pool and upload your most empowering photos to the pool. We're a diverse group of individuals who are beautiful and amazing and strong and awesome and I am dying to see those sweaty faces!

Photo courtesy Dances With Fat (via Athletes At Every Size Flickr Pool)

Related: 5 strategies for winter ass moving and shaking.

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