There is certainly a misconceived notion that being a curvy woman does not mean a healthy and fit woman with curves. I’m sorry to break it to you, but if I ate kale and worked out everyday for the rest of my life, I would still have my curves – bones just don’t get smaller. Being fit and healthy isn’t specific to a certain size or shape and we are fully capable of being healthy and fit in our own body shapes, whatever shape we may be.
I will never be able to identify with the tall thin models but have been made to think, since I was a child, that it was what I needed to try and look like. Luckily, I was smarter than these ad agencies and never wanted to be anything like what society once idealized. You might not look at me and think plus size, however, plus size can start start as low as a 8.
I just started a modeling/influencer job with a plus size company, so the women that feel like they’re an inbetweener (not big enough for plus size but not small enough for straight sizes) and feel like they don’t belong anywhere (me, for so long) now can relate! You must try Gwynnie Bee!! There are so many stereotypes of what fit and healthy look like. The average size woman in America is a fourteen and if you think for one second that means fat, sloppy, overweight, lazy and unhealthy, you are sadly mistaken.
It’s incredible that the barriers have been broken down, and now that plus size models are gracing the covers of the magazines, the majority of the women in the world are finally be able to relate because they’re seeing women that look like their body shapes!
I used to hate the cellulite on the back of my legs but I have learned to love my body and that means taking care of it. No matter if you’re a size 0-2, 10-14 or 24-26. I stay fit because I want more energy. It is a major stress reliever and I sleep so much better. Getting and staying in shape doesn’t mean lose my feminine curves or even lose weight! It will simply strengthen and tone my muscles. It will make me stronger, more confident and more powerful. There is an overall wellness of life!
How I stay curvy and healthy!
Size: 10 | Height: 5’8 | Weight: 155 (I think?)
Do you feel like you’re healthy? Yes!
What do you do that makes you feel healthy? Making good food choices when I can and staying active
Do you workout? How many times a week? Yes. Anywhere from 3-6x a week
Favorite workout? basketball, plyo workouts. run, weight lift, yoga, at home workouts
Favorite workout move? squats, lunges and ab workouts and anything that gives me a good sweat
Favorite part of your body? the small of my back
Self conscious body part? I don’t really have one. I love everything about my body. If I had to choose one, it would be my nose (I broke it twice playing basketball my senior year in college and it’s still crooked even after surgery). I used to hate the cellulite on my legs when I was younger and dumber, now I love it
Biggest body struggle? Finding clothes that fit. And also that everything always seems sexier on me because I’m curvy and I HATE that.
What do you eat on a daily basis? I’m gluten free because I have celiac disease and I choose to not eat meat. I wish more people knew that being gluten free doesn’t mean healthier! It’s funny that all these people are on a “gluten free diet” without knowing the facts. For example: gluten free pasta is identical in calories as regular pasta.
Breakfast: Coffee w/ oat milk creamer (dairy free), dairy free yogurt, 2 rice cakes w/ peanut butter, Just Eggs GF english toast, granola with oat milk, or oatmeal with fresh berries
Lunch: GF veggie sandwich, soup or a salad
Dinner: tofu stir fry, salad, or GF pasta with veggies, veggie burger
Dessert: dark chocolate or fruit
Favorite type of food? Thai, Indian, Italian
Do you snack? I rarely EVER snack, but if I do it’s almonds or some kind of nut
Good habits? Drinking lots of water!!
Bad habits: Ordering GF french fries anytime they’re available or GF bagels in the morning
Never evers? SODA! And fast food.
What does being healthy mean to you? Being healthy doesn’t mean skinny and it never has meant that. Being healthy means not huffing and puffing when I get to the top of stairs. It means being strong. It means staying active to release stress and I’m always in need of more energy so working out gives that to me. It means feeding my body with good food choices as often as I can. It means wanting to live as long as I can. It overall means just taking care of my body, even though I’m curvy.
Why is it important for you to stay healthy? I just always want to be the best version of me that I can be. I also work in front of a camera for a living…so it’s kind of like preparing for the NBA basketball season-if you don’t prepare, you won’t perform as well as you can/should. I’m always on top of my game because it’s my career. Also, I know I’m getting older so taking care of my body is super important to me. I’m still on the fence if I want to have kids, but if I do, I know preparing my body before getting pregnant is super important. I try and choose organic when I can. It’s often hard to find both gluten free and organic. It’s frustrating.
Things you want to improve? balance and flexibility, I’d love to be able to run more than 3 miles without it being a hugeeee struggle or without causing stomach pains when I finish.
Favorite place to find curvy girl clothes? ASOS, H&M, Zara, Forever21. Levi jeans. Shein. Those are my go-tos.
What type of clothing fits your body the best? High waisted pants with stretch. Leggings.
Shapewear thoughts? Yes! I wear spanx shorts when I wear maxi dress or skirts to prevent chaffing. I also wear it when I want to try and hide bloating. I’m all for it, especially if it helps boost a woman’s confidence.
How do you stay thick and fit? Tell us in the comment section below!
Photographer: Julian DiCampo
As a fitness and body positivity enthusiast, I've dedicated a significant portion of my life to understanding and promoting the idea that health and fitness are not limited to a specific body size or shape. My expertise stems from personal experience, having explored various fitness routines, nutritional approaches, and body acceptance strategies. I've delved into the intricacies of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while embracing one's natural body curves, debunking misconceptions about fitness and body image.
Now, let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Body Positivity and Acceptance:
- The article challenges the misconception that being curvy is incompatible with being healthy and fit. It emphasizes that individuals can be healthy and fit regardless of their body size or shape.
- The author shares a personal journey of self-love and acceptance, highlighting the importance of embracing one's body, including perceived flaws like cellulite.
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Representation in Modeling:
- The author discusses the lack of representation for individuals who don't fit into traditional size categories, expressing excitement about working with a plus-size company. This highlights the growing recognition of diverse body shapes in the fashion and modeling industry.
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Fitness Routine:
- The author provides insight into their fitness routine, including a variety of activities such as basketball, plyo workouts, running, weightlifting, yoga, and at-home workouts.
- Favorite workout moves mentioned include squats, lunges, and ab workouts, reinforcing the idea that fitness can be enjoyable and diverse.
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Diet and Nutrition:
- The author follows a gluten-free and meat-free diet due to celiac disease. They emphasize that being gluten-free doesn't necessarily equate to a healthier diet, dispelling common misconceptions.
- The daily meal plan includes a mix of dairy-free options, tofu, salads, and gluten-free alternatives. The author also acknowledges the importance of good food choices.
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Healthy Habits:
- Positive habits such as staying hydrated by drinking lots of water are highlighted. The author acknowledges the role of staying active in stress relief and energy management.
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Self-Image and Confidence:
- The article touches on the author's journey toward self-love and confidence, appreciating various aspects of their body. Shapewear is mentioned as a tool that can enhance confidence, emphasizing its role in supporting women.
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Fitness Goals and Challenges:
- The author discusses personal fitness goals, including improving balance, flexibility, and endurance. They express a desire to run longer distances without difficulty.
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Clothing and Fashion:
- The article recommends specific fashion brands and types of clothing that fit well on a curvy body, including high-waisted pants with stretch, leggings, and shapewear for practical reasons.
In summary, the article advocates for a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's natural body shape, maintaining a diverse and enjoyable fitness routine, making informed nutritional choices, and finding confidence in personal style.
