This discussion is generously brought to you by Rainbeau Active. Make sure you check them out on Facebook and thank them!
Working out can be hard for anyone, especially when just starting out or when you have been out of the game for a while, but as a plus sized person, you may notice that it presents itās own set of challenges. Have you ever heard of the dreaded “Chub Rub”? If you havenāt heard that term, let me assure you that you most likely will or have experienced it and it is not pretty at all. Itās actually very painful. Athletes of all sizes and fitness levels can get this kind of chafing but itās one of the biggest issues with plus sized fitness that often demotivates even the best intentioned athlete.
If you want to start working out or are finding your workouts are currently too painful or uncomfortable, here are some tips on how to work out comfortably when you are plus sized you may be able to use.
How to Work Out Comfortably When You Are Plus Sized
Stop Chub Rub before it starts. Chafing in tender areas where there is lots of motion (aka Chub Rub) can be extremely painful and even lead to nearly bleeding if you do not take the time to prevent it. Most commonly occurring in the inner thigh area, it can also happen in the underarms, in the folds of the buttocks and even under your stomach area and breasts. If you find it happening, prevention is the best option. I recommend greasing up the area with a product called Body Glide. It cuts friction that creates the chafing. You can also use my favorite anti-chafe preventive called Lady Anti-Monkey-Butt (funny name, but it is amazing!).
Stretch before working out. This is a skipped step a lot and while doctors and health experts might be back and forth on whether it is nessisary, I find that it helps with, if nothing else, making me more limber and my body ready to go right before a workout. You donāt even have to do the typical stretching either. Try doing yoga for a fun way to limber up!
Wear proper fitting clothes. Clothes that are either too loose or too tight can lead to chafing, fabric rubbing wrong, fabric cutting into your body or even cutting off circulation. Plus, I find that items that offer some compression are great for me because they help keep my already ever-present edema under control and even reduce it when I work out to make working out more comfortable. I really love the brand Rainbeau Active because it is made for plus-sized athletes and fits my curves well while leaving me feeling smokinā hot. Check out this great design on the Jacylynn Print Legging in Blue Ombre Lace!
Wear layers. I typically wear layers during the winter,spring and fall when I work out and sometimes in the summer. This Adrianna Sweatshirt is great because it has pockets for keys or cash and is lightweight enough that it doesnāt feel like you are wearing something that will weigh you down. It is also soft like your favorite vintage Tee and offers 4 way stretch for a perfect fit.
Wear a great support for “the girls”. There are many plus sized bra brands out there, but I have found that many of them donāt offer good sports style bras or ones that donāt cut off circulation while still offering support. Rainbeau Active has solved that with their Jocelyn Tank with Bra. Typically, because I am a 42 DD, I canāt just wear a cami with a built-in bra and have it be enough, but this one is amazing at offering support all around and smoothing out my curves.
Listen to your body. Fitness wonāt be easy, and it wonāt always be comfortable, but it shouldnāt be too uncomfortable, either. This goes for anyone at any size, too. There is a balance between pushing yourself to meet a goal and not give up and pushing yourself into pain for no good reason to keep up with an imaginary place you are “supposed” to be. Keep in mind that every body is different and you will gain more endurance if you keep at it over time rather than try to get there all at once. I like the saying that “overall fitness is a marathon not a sprint”. You can seriously injure yourself if you push too hard as well.
I am now blogging over at Rainbeauās blog! Make sure you check out their blog and read more from me on plus size fitness tips!
I have never heard that term before, but Iām sure it can be very painful. Iām glad you have found a way to work out and be comfortable at the same time š
I have been way too bad about working out lately š I have been doing a lot of housework, so Iām counting that too š Your outfit is really cute! Thanks for sharing the tips!
Christy Maurer recently posted..17 Ways to Procrastinate
Housework can definitely count! I know I get my heart rate pumping!
I love this post, especially the part about chub rub. Chub rub is the devil!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted..@Ipsy Glam Bag Reveal July 2015 #beauty #ipsy #makeup #style
OMGosh, isnāt it? When I did my first 5K, I didnāt prevent it. Never again! haha
Stretching is important at any size! Your workout outfit is so cute as well!
Jeannette recently posted..Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe
These are great ideas! The extra prep will make the transition to an active lifestyle much easier. Those are the coolest leggings btw!
Liz Mays recently posted..Clean First for the Best Finish #PuracynPlusCleanFirst
These leggings are so awesome and comfortable. I love the brand very much.
Itās really good to have a pre workout routine like using body glide to reduce chaffing, stretching and using comfortable outfit. This can ensure that you get to workout well and comfortably.
Franc Ramon recently posted..Pinoyfitness Sub1 Baguio
AMEN on the stopping chafing before it stops. That is the worst!! Great tips!!
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It took getting chub rub a couple of times to figure out that prevention is the key! It hurt so much!
Stretching before exercising is so important! I always regret it when I forget that step.
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Thank you for highlighting how to work out when you are plus sized as honestly I would never have thought to see exercise through another personās body type or point of view! But I really did enjoy what you do and am cheering you every step of your way too! Thank you for sharing!
These are awesome tips. I always tell my mom to do some stretching exercises before working out. She used to hate it, but now she follows.
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I used to hate stretching, too, then I started doing a bit of yoga before my routine to limber up and it didnāt seem so tedious.
This post was like written for my cousin. She keeps worrying about this, definitely sharing it with her.
Shaney Vijendranath recently posted..Can we really protect our children from the dangers of the world?
Please do share it with her. I hope she finds some useful information!
You are rocking those outfit. I love the print of your leggings. Way to go on getting fit, you are inspiring!
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Thank you!
These are great tips. I really have to agree that trusting your body is key when you are planning on working out and over weight. I know Iāve pushed myself too far before and it ended up hurting more than helping.
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I think I have made that mistake more than once š
I think the right workout clothes are really important. I also need to remember to stretch before trying to do anything else. I have back issues and if I leave that out, itās horrible later. Thanks for the tips!
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I love your workout outfit. I will have to try Body Glide. I have been trying to start working out. Stretching is so important before and after a workout.
These are all great tips for working out comfortably when you are plus size. I do believe wear the right fitting clothes and stretching is so important to anyone that is going to workout. Thanks so much for sharing and good luck on getting fit.
I have always had bigger thighs no matter what size I have been, so I have experienced the dreaded chub rub. Definitely not comfortable! Iāll definitely keep these tips in mind, though.
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Stretching is one of the most important thing to do - yet mostly being forgotten by a lot.
Aisha Kristine Chong recently posted..Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, Just Some Alternative Choices for Custom Engagement Rings Melbourne
Starting slow and listening to your body is really important. The change wonāt happen overnight and rushing it will usually listen to hurting yourself, which will make things worse.
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