This holiday season, plus size model Mel Parrish is spearheading a movement that we can definitely get behind and support. The model, artist, writer and wife is now taking on a new role… inspiring others to transform their relationship with their bodies and be healthy at any size.
Parrish says:
“This is what a size 14/16, 210lb body looks like. I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and now I’m a plus size model. Some people might call this body unhealthy, but I’m embracing my body as it is. I’m challenging myself to love my body and show my body love through movement.”
Her #healthyatanysize #getmoving2015 holiday challenge will be starting on Monday, November 30th and will run for a week, where she will give you motivational tips and advice on how to get moving and be healthy at the size you are RIGHT NOW.
Parrish explains her view on being healthy and active at any size:
“For me, ‘being active’ isn’t about trying to change myself to be smaller and meet someone else’s definition of perfection. I’m a size 14/16, 210lb plus size model–I love my body as it is, and I’m never going to be a size 2. That’s not what moving my body is about for me. It’s an act of self love.”
She believes it’s all about movement in the body, self-love and being thankful for the body you’re in especially during the holidays:
“I’ve never been public about my size and weight before. But I no longer feel ashamed of my size, and I’m putting it out there to inspire and empower other women to love their bodies as they are. I’m a size 14/16, I weigh 210 pounds, and I love my body exactly as it is! Every woman deserves to feel this way.
It’s Thanksgiving, and for the first time in years, I’m genuinely grateful for my body. I’m going to allow myself to enjoy the holidays, and take great care of myself and show my body love through movement. Every woman deserves to feel beautiful, happy, and loved in her body.”
We love the message she is sending, which is not about dieting or weight loss. It’s more about being happy with yourself and feeling good in the skin you’re in:
“Today, I’m the biggest I’ve ever been–I’m a size 14/16, I weigh 210 pounds, and I’ve never been more in love with my body. Before this year, I literally can’t remember a time where I wasn’t actively trying to make my body smaller. It took me a long time to learn that taking great care of myself and showing my body love through movement were the keys to being happy with my body, not constantly trying to change it. I want to share that with other women.”
“This challenge IS NOT about weight loss or changing your body to meet a standard of perfection, it’s just about taking a few minutes a day to focus on taking care of yourself and loving your body through movement. This can be taking a walk during the work day, a trip to the gym, or dancing in your bedroom in your underwear. Any form of movement that makes you feel empowered and works with your daily routine!
The challenge will run from Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, the week following Thanksgiving. But I’ll be posting content about this challenge all throughout the months of November and December through social media and my blog on the Huffington Post.”
Want to join the #healthyatanysize #getmoving2015 Holiday Challenge? You can sign up and receive exclusive content for Challenge participants at www.melparrish.com/getmoving2015.
All of us are athletes in our own right as long as you’re trying to be active and healthy at any size – Louise Green, plus size fitness trainer and owner of Body Exchange Canada, once said this to me and Parrish’s story and holiday challenge reinforce that belief.
We hope you’ll join the PMM team on this challenge. Learn more about Mel Parrish here.