Plus Size...

Mel

“Don't tell your friends about your indigestion. "How are you" is a greeting, not a question.”

Practice CrossFit boasts quite an amazing crew as does the rest of our extended CrossFit world. And not only do our women athletes number more than our men, but the wall of certifications has more female names as well. You can tell from below exactly why. Trainer Mindy Shardo pulls no punches and offers words for all to live by...pass it on. 

The following is authored by Mindy S.

The Forbs Modeling Agency just released their new plus size models, planning to turn the industry on its head. Their goal? Broaden the playing field and giving more women the opportunity to be considered beautiful. “Wait a minute... you mean even though I wear a size 8 and am now considered plus size, I can still be beautiful??? Score!” Pardon me while I vomit.

Critics are scrutinizing the industry for considering women who wear size 8 as “plus size”. Personally, I agree the idea is ludicrous.  It’s widely known that the high fashion industry has an incredibly narrow view for what’s considered healthy and beautiful. They reinforce this message by putting healthy and completely normal looking women on the covers of magazines with the label “plus size.” This doesn’t give more women a chance to be included... it says that sick=sexy, healthy=overweight, and overweight= well... don’t even bother.

But there’s another side to this fashion mind @$&%. Clothing designers everywhere are increasing the size of their clothing without increasing the size number on the tag. The woman wearing a size 8 would’ve worn the same dress in a size 12 back in the 1950s. Rather than keeping true to sizes, designers want to make women feel better by lying to them and saying they’re a smaller size than what they truly are. Does this justification really make women feel better? You bet. I can hear it now... “Well, I wanted to lose a few pounds, but I just fit into a size 10 pair of jeans and I haven’t done that since high school. I guess I’m not that bad after all!” I’ve been there too, and sadly its all a lie that we allow ourselves to believe.

Women everywhere- stop believing the lies! While nobody should have to look Ethiopian to feel beautiful, believing the tag on your clothing over the number on the scale isn’t okay, either. Our bodies are amazing, beautiful, complex organisms meant to do amazing things if we treat it right, and we are far too busy to let sickness, insecurity, or anything else stop us from conquering our little part of the world.

So how do you get away from idolizing the “skinny-fat” chick on the magazine cover and become the true picture of health and beauty? How do you walk as confidently as the runway model? By changing your focus. When we stop basing our self worth on outside appearance and focus on taking care of ourselves and giving our bodies what they truly need, amazing things will occur. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and nutritionally will turn your world upside down, as well as your perspective on what healthy and beautiful should look like. I chose Crossfit and it transformed every aspect of my life. It has rewired my brain, and I have a new vision of what I strive to become.

What a far cry from what used to be....

I used to want to be thin; now I proudly show off those lines in my shoulders and abs.

I used to want the pounds to decrease on the scale; now I watch them increase on the bar.

I used to exercise out of desperation; now I crave the feeling of a sub-5 Fran.

I used to eat for comfort, now I eat for fuel.

I used to do zumba, aerobics, random machines, i.e. waste my time; now I’m a Crossfitter.

I used to think being sweaty was gross; now I bask in hard-earned sweat angels.

I used to feel insecure about my physical capabilities; now I feel empowered.

I used to seek the attention of douche bags that also sought out the frail, skinny girl; now I’ve found the man that values and appreciates a strong woman.

I used to follow; now I lead.

I used to make excuses; now I show others how to get rid of theirs.

I used to cave under pressure; now I know discipline. 

I used to claim ignorance on nutrition; now knowledge is power.

I used to compare myself to all the other women around me; now I stand confidently, looking forward. 

I used to dream of doing things; now I just do them.

I used to be limited; now I’m unstoppable.

This is my new definition and my perspective of what a beautiful, healthy, capable woman should be. I’ve been permanently rewired and never plan to go back. I don’t need to look like the girl on the cover... I’d rather know I could overhead squat her.

Dynamic:

Power Snatch

10x2 @ 70% 1 RM

For Time:

7-Push Press 65/95

21-Double Unders

7 Rounds

Post weight moved and time to comments.

Comments

[Teri]

Amen sister!

[k]

great article, min. some of us are still on the journey to the type of confident clarity you've found, so you're piece is a sincerely appreciated reminder.

and your man dudnt get a choice about appreciatin you. you'd wamp his ass if he didnt ;).

[vicki]

Fantastic article Min! Love that last line "I'd rather know I could overhead squat her" That is great!!

[Ken & Cledith]

Mindy, you are an amazing young woman! Great article girlie - you make your forcibly-adopted parents (Cledith & I!) proud every day with who you are. The advice you give is right on - if followed it could lead a lot of very conflicted people to great things in their lives.
And you're a hot chick who hangs out with a young stud - you got it together girl!

[Lori]

"I used to want to be thin; now I proudly show off those lines in my shoulders and abs."--LOVE this line!! I SO want the lines:) Am so tired of everyone liking the "frail skinny" look & idolizing it...so glad I found all you STRONG & SEXY women (& men;) to help me appreciate how strength & beauty go hand in hand!!

Thank you Mindy for sharing!!! A copy is going on my refrig @ home & my desk @ work!! :)

[Franchise]

Franchise likes a woman with some durability.

[Ry]

Mindy awesome job on the article, I love the entire "far cry" part. And ohh my gosh i cant believe im about to say this.... Franchise I have to agree with you.... man thats weird.

[k]

"durability"...interesting word selection, joe. can count on you to never surprise.

[holly]

6:45M+

[Caryn]

WOW! What a powerful article. I really loved reading this, Mindy....it hit home and reminded me of some very important things. Thanks!
BTW, you have a gift here :)

[heatherT]

FYI on Warrior Dash shirts. Lots of people are asking so I thought I would post an update. Target date to get the shirts is June 1st (tomorrow). I will check on the order today to make sure its still on schedule & post another update. Thanks!

[jen w]

8:46

[HeatherT]

Warrior Dash shirt update: Shirts will be ready Thursday. Also had a snafu with the color of the image. =( It's black instead of yellow. Unfortunately we don't have enough time to get yellow before the dash, so we're going to roll with the black.

I do have good news for Dana ~ I'll have a shirt for you!

Thanks!

[Dana]

Thx, Heather T!

9:40 WOD

[Pj]

10:40 (m)

[Steph]

5:34 (M) - double unders are my new goat.

[Lori]

8:57(m)--10 dble unders each round instead of 21!!!
One of these days!!!

[JN]

Endurance Wod
51
51
51
54
54
50

[Shelly]

Great read Mindy! I, too am posting this in multiple places.
10:32 (m)

[Rachael]

85 power snatch
6:57

[Lori]

Thank you Mindy! Love this! It is everything I am now realizing, after 15 + years of being "blind." I've recently started CrossFit and you are so right! All this change in perspective is where it's at, and how we can truly live and realize the strength and beauty inside us. What a great post - I wish every woman could read this and "get" it.

[Gerard McAuliffe]

Suberbly written. I'm going to link this from my Affiliate website if you don't mind.