health Archives - Curvy Sam

Believe it or not I’m a pretty active person. I walk many times a week, sometimes it’s a casual stroll and other times I work up a sweat walking up to the local lookout.

Us Aussies, we are a friendly bunch, especially when exercising. Frequently people congratulate me for exercising, give me the thumbs up as they pass me or if I’m lucky I get a wink. YES A WINK. Weird I know.

By frequently I mean MANY people comment or make some kind of gesture. And I’m kinda over it.

I don’t need encouragement, winks, thumbs up and random health tips from strangers whilst I’m exercising.

Part of me thinks that its oh so nice these strangers are encouraging me to walk up the hill I tackle a couple of times a week. The other part of me finds it patronizing.

It just kind of makes me feel like I’m a kid being patted on the head by an experienced adult. I shrug it off, because it was obviously meant to be a nice gesture, but it got me to thinking about how other plus size people would react to this.

If someone said the same to you, would you find it encouraging or a little frustrating?

When the size 6, perfectly toned woman from my yoga class says to me as I arrive ‘oh you’re here again…good for you darl’ in her husky voice whilst finishing her last cigarette before the class. I grin and politely respond when I really want to make a witty comment back about the irony of chain smoking before and after a health class. (In my mind it would be to the tone of Kath & Kim)

I don’t understand why people feel the need to comment and provide encouragement to an overweight stranger minding their own business. So for a while now I’ve been exercising before dawn or after dark when there aren’t as many people around.

Is it because I’m bigger than everyone else? Do strangers see my wiggle and jiggle on my size 18 body and think wow she’s big I should say something to help her. I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.

Don’t get me wrong there’s a certain amount of comradely in the fitness world. I’m a positive person and take all the comments in a positive way. But seriously…..its getting a little to much.

So to the strangers who see me minding my own business, on my own, powering up the hill with a pink (moreso purple) face squinting at the sweat stinging my eyeballs. Please don’t wink at me. Please don’t give me the thumbs up. Because I find it condescending.

Don’t look at larger people whilst they are working out and pity them. They are out there enjoying life.

(I respect that in certain situations such as group fitness encouragement can be very motivating – this post is more directed at strangers commenting when I am alone and minding my own business)

Curvy babes, have you experienced this whilst working out?

This is one of those recipes where you chop and throw everything together. It looks pretty, tastes amazing and is SOOO easy. Perfect served as a side dish to a main meal or enjoy as a snack.

Ingredients

2 x 400g cans chickpeas, rinsed, drained
1/2 (330g) cauliflower, cut into large florets
3 small tomatoes, seeded, finely chopped
100g (1 cup) walnuts, roasted, finely chopped
2 small spring onions, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked, roughly chopped
1/2 bunch coriander, leaves picked, roughly chopped
2 lemons, juiced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pepper for seasoning
Toasted pita breads and lemon cheeks, to serve

METHOD
Process both cans of chickpeas in a food processor until roughly chopped, then transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining chickpeas. Don’t blend them too much, you don’t want them to go mushy. (I used a Tupperware happychopper for mine instead of a food processor)

Twist stems from cauliflower tops, discard stems, and pop into boiling water for two minutes until soft. After they have cooled crumble with your hands into small pieces into the bowl with the chickpeas.

Add remaining ingredients to bowl, season with salt and pepper, add lemon juice then toss to combine.

Stand for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.

Serve with pita bread and lemon slices.
I accidently bought pita bread pockets instead of the flatbread. They worked a treat!

Plus Size Fitness ~ When Strangers Offer Encouragement

Curvy babes, have you experienced this whilst working out?

Meatless Monday ~ Chickpea Tabouli with Walnuts and Cauliflower