Big Fit Girl. Louise Green

       FOREWORD

      FOR THE PAST two decades, I’ve focused my personal and professional energy on the betterment of women and girls, helping them find their own road to self-discovery and confidence. Much like a personal trainer for the mind, I’ve developed curriculums and exercises, clocking countless miles working alongside teens, moms, and everyday women around the world, showing them how to flex their self-esteem muscles, adopt a healthy mindset, and nurture a strong self-image. Admittedly, even my own path has navigated bumps and sharp turns. While I’ve always considered myself athletic, my body type didn’t necessarily fit the mold of what our culture would consider an “athletic build.”

      Reflecting back on the decades of my life, fitness served me in different ways, which in turn directly impacted how I felt in my body. I’ve now realized that my body wasn’t just a vessel that helped me reach my fitness goals—it served as a catalyst for change. Good change. Necessary change. Regardless of my age, I’ve learned to never let the size of my body stop me from moving it.

      In my twenties, I challenged preconceived notions of what my body could endure. At age twenty-six and a size 16, I ran my first marathon. I didn’t do it to place, I did it to finish and to accomplish a goal that I never thought possible while raising funds and awareness for an AIDS charity I was involved with. As I closed in on the finish line nearly eight hours into the race, the large crowds that once served as my motivation had dissipated, and my body was crippled with fatigue. I pushed myself to cross the line and looking back, I now realize how I worked with my body to achieve my goal. We were partners; my body didn’t have to be my enemy after all.

      As I moved into my thirties, I found fitness to be a curative escape from what was happening in my life After a very long relationship that culminated in a dramatic breakup, I was single and needed something to balance the rollercoaster of emotions I was facing. Call it rebound therapy, but I decided to take on pole dancing. It was a liberating exercise and allowed me to find a sensual softness I had lost during the long-term relationship. Yet again, my body proved it could do things I never thought possible.

      Today, at forty-two, I look at health and my relationship with my body in a different way. My focus is less on my body’s appearance and more on its longevity. I’m married to the love of my life and together, we choose to see fitness as a way to express our care for ourselves and each other.

      I treat the entire concept of moving my body differently now. Essentially, I look for ways to motivate myself to care for my body to allow me to prolong living this incredible life I’ve created. The answer for me lately has been boxing. It not only serves as a physical workout, but also a way for me to mentally train, de-stress, and pound out over two decades of negative thoughts. When I lace up the gloves, I’m looking to build power, stamina, and mental fortitude more so than trying to improve muscle definition. Regardless, boxing is a never-ending fitness challenge that allows me to push my limits.

      No matter what road you’ve traveled in your relationship with your body and wellness, I believe in an infinite number of “do-overs.” It is always the right time to redefine your connection to moving, growing, and developing a deep self-appreciation for everything your body (whatever its appearance) allows you to do.

      In this love letter to our inner athletes, Louise inspires us to challenge labels and cultural perceptions. From sharing her own personal journey to providing step-by-step guidance on how to build both our mental and physical stamina, Big Fit Girl shows us how to work with, not against our bodies—regardless of shape and size. She