Fashion blogger Gabi Gregg made up the word fatkini in 2012.
She wanted to encourage ladies of size to love their bodies, take the plunge and share a photo of themselves in their bikinis.
I love that larger women are encouraged to love their bodies. I love that they’re encouraged not to be ashamed by their bodies and I think self- appreciation and acceptance is important to self-care.
I think all bodies, regardless of size deserve the best care we can give them. Too often we neglect our bodies as long as they seem healthy and free of pain. We abuse them and the abuse leads to chronic disease and then we care about taking better care of our bodies.
Taking care of our bodies now while they’re healthy is a good way to reduce our risk of disease later.
It makes sense to me to take care of them now, while we’re younger and they feel good to increase our chances of extending their healthy state and life. Establishing healthy habits feels good and just importantly, tastes good too.
I not talking about a punitive, restrictive weight loss diet. I’m not talking about dieting at all. I’m talking about eating lots of good food that nourishes and protects that beautiful, strong body.
I’m talking about eating lots of fruits and vegetables that provides lots of antioxidants to fight cell damage.
I’m talking about eating lean sources of protein to build and repair tissue without a lot of artery clogging saturated fat.
I’m talking about eating lots of whole grains to normalize bowel movements and help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.
Taking care of your body is feeding it foods that provide the essential macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) as well as the micronutrients necessary for good health such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium to name just a few.
I’m not talking about becoming a health food freak. I’m not saying stop eating fast food or processed foods and desserts. Enjoy them, but keep in mind that they don’t nourish or have the same good-for-you benefits. Fortified processed foods and multi-vitamins can’t make up for getting your nutrients from the foods in which they naturally occur.
Moving your body is essential to keep it healthy and pain-free as you get older. It also protects you against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
Aerobic exercise is good for your cardiopulmonary system.
Resistance exercise keeps your muscles strong and help prevent back, hip and knee pain as you age.
Stretching keeps you flexible and may help you live well into your golden years with vibrancy, energy, and independence.
None of this exercise has to happen inside a gym and it doesn’t have to be work. It can be play. It’s better if it’s play. If you engage in activities that are fun you will do it more and make the time to enjoy it regularly.
Summer is almost over. If you haven’t put on a bathing suit and had some fun splashing in a pool or the ocean, don’t wait! You’re missing fun and wasting one more summer that will never be back again!
Love that body! Be proud of that body! Don’t be ashamed of your body for how it looks. It’s a good body! Treat that body as though it were the most important possession you own and you will only get one in a lifetime!