![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dia.com\/gutenberg-blog-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/fat-girls-hiking-half-5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Fat Girls Hiking Came to Be<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI started dating this girl that kind of<\/em> tricked me into my first hike by luring me in with the promise of a waterfall. I would get annoyed because she would hike faster than me and I couldn\u2019t keep up. Through my relationship with her, I realized that I wanted to create an outdoorsy space that was accessible to everyone and where no one would ever feel like they can\u2019t keep up. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nI was excited to celebrate what my body could do and say to myself, \u201cWow, I hiked up this mountain, and I didn\u2019t think I could do it\u2014but I did it.\u201d That\u2019s the most empowering and rewarding feeling. The cultural messaging that surrounded me told me that I couldn\u2019t do something like hike up a mountain because I was too fat, but I did it anyway. I was proving myself and society wrong, and that began to change my mindset. <\/span>I started to ask myself, \u201cWhat else can I do that I\u2019ve been saying I can\u2019t do?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nNow, I\u2019ve done everything from yoga to climbing to whitewater rafting. I always thought those activities were closed to fat, queer women like me\u2014but, there are people like me! And when prospective hikers discover Fat Girls Hiking, they get so excited to find a community full of people just like them that they never knew existed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nI was proving myself and society wrong, and that began to change my mindset. I started to ask myself, ‘What else can I do that I\u2019ve been saying I can\u2019t do?’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dia.com\/gutenberg-blog-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/fat-girls-hiking-half-4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI named my group Fat Girls Hiking<\/a> because I identify as a fat girl. It\u2019s pretty subversive and radical to use the word fat in a positive way, and this label is also bucking the traditional idea of what a fat girl is capable of. Calling it Fat Girls Hiking is a rebellious act in itself, even though that\u2019s exactly what we are. My mission is to make the outdoors accessible to all\u2014to create a space where all genders, all sizes, all abilities, all marginalized people can show up as we are, take up space in the outdoors, and be celebrated. I want to make sure that the person who needs it the most, the slowest hiker, gets the most support. I always say that I lead from the back because it\u2019s critical to me that we leave no one behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dia.com\/gutenberg-blog-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/fat-girls-hiking-header-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGaining Perspective in Nature<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI love the fresh perspective that nature gives you. When you\u2019re in nature, you realize that nature is so much bigger than all of us. Trees are bigger. The ocean is bigger. Mountains are bigger. Rocks are bigger. When I\u2019m standing next to a big waterfall, I feel so small and so insignificant. When you feel smaller, you realize that the big problems that you are ruminating on in your head are actually so small. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re having a bad body day and feeling bad about the way you look, when you stand next to a waterfall you realize that it doesn\u2019t matter how you look, and you\u2019re able to see the beauty that\u2019s around and within you. Nature reminds us that whatever our problem is, it\u2019s not as big as we\u2019re making it. Larger sizes of people are not always celebrated, but no one ever said to a huge tree, \u201cThat tree is too big.\u201d There are huge things in nature that are celebrated because of their size. Why don\u2019t we do that for people, too? We should all be celebrated for whatever we are\u2014the small trees, the big trees\u2014they all deserve a place on this earth. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen you stand next to a waterfall you realize that it doesn\u2019t matter how you look and you\u2019re able to see the beauty that\u2019s around and within you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dia.com\/gutenberg-blog-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/img_5940.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Get Started Hiking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Start small.<\/b>
<\/span>Go on a small hike nearby. If you think you can walk a mile, find a hike that\u2019s about that distance. Find an elevation gain that is lower than 100 feet because the climb and the incline won\u2019t be too steep.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Give yourself permission to take a break.<\/b>
<\/span>Go as slow as you want. Stop to take pictures and look at the beautiful nature around you. Stop for water or a snack. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Don\u2019t make your destination your goal.<\/b>
<\/span>Honor the needs of your body and take the best care of yourself while you\u2019re on the trail. Your needs should be a higher priority than reaching the destination.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Bring anything you need to help you feel supported.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it\u2019s wearing a certain type of shoe or outfit or bringing a backpack filled with your favorite snacks, do whatever it is that is going to make you feel supported on the trail. I\u2019ve met people who feel best when they wear a full face of makeup\u2014if that feels authentic to you, that\u2019s what you should do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dia.com\/gutenberg-blog-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/fat-girls-hiking-full-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAll ready to get hiking?<\/strong> Before you get started, make sure you have these essentials:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Clothing<\/strong> <\/span>
<\/span>Moisture-wicking clothing that will keep you dry on your hike will work best\u2014workout clothing from Dia & Co Active<\/a> is perfect.<\/span><\/li>- Layers<\/strong><\/span>
<\/span>A rain jacket is crucial to me because I live in a rainy climate. Bring whatever layers are appropriate for where you are.<\/span><\/li>- Hiking Shoes
<\/strong>I prefer sturdy hiking boots, but trail shoes or sneakers are fine.<\/span><\/li>- Backpack<\/strong><\/span>
<\/span>Fill your pack with water, navigation tools, snacks, an emergency kit, and sun protection.<\/span><\/li>- After-Hike Clothing and Snacks<\/strong>
A comfy and dry outfit in your car that\u2019s ready for you to change into, along with a pair of flip-flops or slippers and a snack, is the best way to unwind after a long hike.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I was excited to celebrate what my body could do and say to myself, \u201cWow, I hiked up this mountain, and I didn\u2019t think I could do it\u2014but I did it.\u201d That\u2019s the most empowering and rewarding feeling. The cultural messaging that surrounded me told me that I couldn\u2019t do something like hike up a mountain because I was too fat, but I did it anyway. I was proving myself and society wrong, and that began to change my mindset. <\/span>I started to ask myself, \u201cWhat else can I do that I\u2019ve been saying I can\u2019t do?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I\u2019ve done everything from yoga to climbing to whitewater rafting. I always thought those activities were closed to fat, queer women like me\u2014but, there are people like me! And when prospective hikers discover Fat Girls Hiking, they get so excited to find a community full of people just like them that they never knew existed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I was proving myself and society wrong, and that began to change my mindset. I started to ask myself, ‘What else can I do that I\u2019ve been saying I can\u2019t do?’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I named my group Fat Girls Hiking<\/a> because I identify as a fat girl. It\u2019s pretty subversive and radical to use the word fat in a positive way, and this label is also bucking the traditional idea of what a fat girl is capable of. Calling it Fat Girls Hiking is a rebellious act in itself, even though that\u2019s exactly what we are. My mission is to make the outdoors accessible to all\u2014to create a space where all genders, all sizes, all abilities, all marginalized people can show up as we are, take up space in the outdoors, and be celebrated. I want to make sure that the person who needs it the most, the slowest hiker, gets the most support. I always say that I lead from the back because it\u2019s critical to me that we leave no one behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I love the fresh perspective that nature gives you. When you\u2019re in nature, you realize that nature is so much bigger than all of us. Trees are bigger. The ocean is bigger. Mountains are bigger. Rocks are bigger. When I\u2019m standing next to a big waterfall, I feel so small and so insignificant. When you feel smaller, you realize that the big problems that you are ruminating on in your head are actually so small. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re having a bad body day and feeling bad about the way you look, when you stand next to a waterfall you realize that it doesn\u2019t matter how you look, and you\u2019re able to see the beauty that\u2019s around and within you. Nature reminds us that whatever our problem is, it\u2019s not as big as we\u2019re making it. Larger sizes of people are not always celebrated, but no one ever said to a huge tree, \u201cThat tree is too big.\u201d There are huge things in nature that are celebrated because of their size. Why don\u2019t we do that for people, too? We should all be celebrated for whatever we are\u2014the small trees, the big trees\u2014they all deserve a place on this earth. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you stand next to a waterfall you realize that it doesn\u2019t matter how you look and you\u2019re able to see the beauty that\u2019s around and within you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 1. Start small.<\/b> 2. Give yourself permission to take a break.<\/b> 3. Don\u2019t make your destination your goal.<\/b> 4. Bring anything you need to help you feel supported.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s wearing a certain type of shoe or outfit or bringing a backpack filled with your favorite snacks, do whatever it is that is going to make you feel supported on the trail. I\u2019ve met people who feel best when they wear a full face of makeup\u2014if that feels authentic to you, that\u2019s what you should do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n All ready to get hiking?<\/strong> Before you get started, make sure you have these essentials:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGaining Perspective in Nature<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Get Started Hiking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Go on a small hike nearby. If you think you can walk a mile, find a hike that\u2019s about that distance. Find an elevation gain that is lower than 100 feet because the climb and the incline won\u2019t be too steep.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Go as slow as you want. Stop to take pictures and look at the beautiful nature around you. Stop for water or a snack. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Honor the needs of your body and take the best care of yourself while you\u2019re on the trail. Your needs should be a higher priority than reaching the destination.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Moisture-wicking clothing that will keep you dry on your hike will work best\u2014workout clothing from Dia & Co Active<\/a> is perfect.<\/span><\/li>
<\/span>A rain jacket is crucial to me because I live in a rainy climate. Bring whatever layers are appropriate for where you are.<\/span><\/li>
<\/strong>I prefer sturdy hiking boots, but trail shoes or sneakers are fine.<\/span><\/li>
<\/span>Fill your pack with water, navigation tools, snacks, an emergency kit, and sun protection.<\/span><\/li>
A comfy and dry outfit in your car that\u2019s ready for you to change into, along with a pair of flip-flops or slippers and a snack, is the best way to unwind after a long hike.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n