There are many things to do before you workout.  Putting on the proper plus size clothing and eating correctly are both very important.  Wearing the correct women’s plus size clothing supports your body from the outside, eating correctly will support your body from the inside.  If you don’t eat properly before a vigorous workout you won’t get the full result of your exercises. 

First of all, eating before a workout is not good for anyone.  If you are going to eat before you exercise you should eat twenty to thirty minutes before you start. Don’t eat fattening foods, such as greasy and calorie filled food.  Eat things that are going to help you during your workout, food with little calories and that will give you a lot of energy.  Eating salads will help your digestive system.  Whole wheat foods are also easy on your stomach and will give you energy.  Eat food with protein to help build your muscles such as chicken and eggs.  Vegetables and fruits are of course great to eat on any occasion.  Vegetable are not only full of beneficial vitamins but contain protein which works to rebuild muscle.  Any food that you consume should not contain saturated fat, empty calories, and be high in sodium.  Foods that are easy to digest, full of vitamins and proteins are the foods are the perfect pre-workout meal.    

There are four things that you should check for when purchasing plus size clothing for working out. 

1.   Support: If your body is not being supported while exercising you can cause extreme damage to your body.  Fitted clothing works best during most vigorous workouts because of the extra support, especially in the breast area.  If you are wearing lose items you allow additional unwanted movement. 
 

2.   Comfort: Being comfortable is key.  If you are unable to move in your clothes you are not going to achieve the maximum benefit of your workout.  Make sure that your arms and legs are free to move freely and easily. 

3.   Fabric: Cotton and lycra are the best fabrics to wear during a workout.  Also, make sure that whatever fabric you choose allows your skin to breathe and the item has moisture wick. 

4.       Style: Choose clothing that fits your style.  If you aren’t comfortable in what you are wearing chances are you are not going to feel confident.  When you feel confident your workout is going to be ten times better.  To look good even while sweating, select clothes flattering to your body.

As a woman, your body carries extra upper body weight.  Back and neck pain can be attributed to large breast size.  Without the right bra it is very easy for a woman, especially a plus size woman, to contract back pain, which will eventually cause discomfort to rest of the body. So in order to avoid these problems, it is vital to wear a bra that is properly supportive. 

The regular stress that large breasts put on the spine can cause major damages.  If you are running on a daily basis and do not wear the appropriate plus size sports bra your breast will bounce with every step that you take.  If your breasts have heavy movement the more pain your body is going to feel, in your back and in your neck.  Skeletal and postural changes can be lifelong inflictions on the body. 

So make sure to take the right precautions when choosing a sports bra.  Every person needs different support so always try on a sports bra before purchasing it.  Make sure that along with comfort you have support.  Jump up and down when trying on a sports bra on to see how you feel in it.  A plus size sports bra offers great support for large breasts, minimizing the symptoms of breast associated back and neck pain.  Avoid problematic areas early and buy the right plus size sports bra. 

It’s that time of the year again.  The sun sets early, and the night starts young.  Take your winter clothes out of their boxes and get ready to throw on a scarf and pair it with the newest fad, leather studded gloves.  A look inspired by the legendary all around performer, Michael Jackson.  Now for the tricky part, how and what do you wear with studded gloves? Ok, let me explain how to make this look a great one for plus size women. 

Studded leather gloves are a fashion statement in itself.  There is so much going on with this small accessory, so if you are making this pair of gloves key the first thing to remember is to keep your outfit simple.  Because it is cold out earlier now remember to layer layer layer.  From leggings to jeans, blouses to tees, jackets to sweaters, scarves to gloves, layering is key.  Although you are using plus size clothing don’t be afraid to layer.  With the right plus size women’s clothing you won’t look frumpy but accentuate your curvaceous body.       

Okay now how do we keep layering simple?

Here is a great example outfit to pair with these amazing gloves all while layering with plus size clothing.  Since you are working your outfit around studded leather gloves you need to remember whatever you chose needs to match the gloves.  Leggings are simple and easy to wear with anything.  Plus size leggings not only go great under an over-sized blouse and coat but firm and lift every unwanted body blunder. 

Take an over-sized, short sleeve blouse and pair it on top of your leggings.  Don’t forget to wear a plus size cami bra underneath your blouse; because the blouse is over-sized you’re going to need extra support below.  With winter comes cold weather, so grab a coat and throw it on.  Plus size leggings not only look great underneath a large winter coat but when paired with a great pair of booties makes your legs look great.  Now that you have completed your outfit it is time to put on your fantastic studded gloves. 

You’re look is great indoors and outdoors.  Everything you have on is not only keeping you warm, comfy, but fashionable.  Once you get indoors and you’re ready to take that coat off you know that with your plus size leggings and gloves you still have a stunning outfit put together. 

The German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld commented recently on using plus size models and the ban of using ultra thin models in the magazine Brigette.  Lagerfeld was quoted to say:

“No one wants to see curvy women. You’ve got fat mothers with their bags of chips sitting in front of the television and saying that thin models are ugly.”

Karl Lagerfeld and other designers are really missing out on a multi-billion dollar industry.  The average women' size is a 14 not a 2.  Designing plus size womens clothing makes the most sense because they would be directing their lines towards the majority of women, the real buyers, the real women.  It seems like fashion is one of the only segments of consumer goods that don't target the demographic that is the majority.

I am not completely offended by Karl Lagerfeld's comments.  That is a snapshot of his image of a plus size woman, heck, that may be a plus size woman that he knows.  I am puzzled by the ending of that comment in which he states "(fat mothers) saying that thin models are ugly."  I think that that is just ridiculous and it infers that he feels defensive that "we" are attacking these poor thin models.

Overall, we are a force to be...advertised to.  We are the majority of the womens fashion buying world.  We do want to see curvy women in ads, so that we can relate and we can visualize ourselves in those styles.  I applaud designers who create clothing with ALL women in mind.