Living in an age when many beauty and physical standards are commanded by social media and svelte movie stars, we can all get a little insecure at times.
Many people — plus-size women, in particular — have spoken out confidently against the terrible instances of body-shaming.
And some others, like this plus-size pole dancer, are aiming to live holistically, and look to achieve their goals not through starvation, but through mindful exercises.
Similarly, plus-size athlete Krista Henderson is trying to change society's perceptions about what a "fit" and "healthy" person should look like.
In a heartwarming, ongoing effort (chronicled on her website, Born to Reign Athletics), she is trying to make people see that anyone in the world can embrace exercise and reap its benefits, no matter their shape or size.
Scroll further to read what Krista has to say to us all, and let us know what you thought of her message in the comments below!
Krista Henderson, 44, is a professional plus-size athlete. In the past decade, she has participated in 20 triathlons, half marathons, and rowing competitions.
Years ago — after she decided to commit to a healthy, active lifestyle — her fitness director recommended that she start training like an athlete. This piece of advice “dramatically shifted Krista away from the diet and exercise mentality, where she constantly felt the need to ‘fix’ herself by solely focusing on losing weight,” says her website.
By learning to challenge herself through fitness regimes and active races, Krista has become a much happier and healthier person, inside and out.
Now, she wants to encourage other plus-size women to embrace their vitality. “Women often feel like they have to fix something,” she said to the Daily Mail. “The message I want to get out is that you have everything you need.”
She uses her website to provide advice on how to get fit and stay active, and to spread the idea that being plus-size doesn’t mean lazy.
“When people see a plus-size person, they think ‘lazy’ and ‘unmotivated,’ but they shouldn’t judge,” she said.
Today, there is a growing group of plus-size athletes, who compete just as fiercely and win just as frequently. According to Krista, it’s vital that the athletic world welcome more “diverse bodies,” so that all shapes and sizes are represented.
Exercising healthily and maintaining fitness routines has allowed Krista to gain a much higher physical endurance. In the process, her stress levels have also been lowered.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve, but you can’t worry about what people think,” she said. “Everything you do, you need to do it for yourself.”
And that is such a brilliantly true statement. We hope that everyone will take this sentiment to heart.
Please SHARE if you were inspired by Krista's message!
