Fat Lass Adventures

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a lady that thrives on doing things that take me out of my comfort zone. Call it a midlife crisis. I'm 44 and only really found this new zest for life in the last few years. Maybe due to being middle-aged (does that mean that every day from this point is me being old?!?!), maybe due to actually not being in a situation where I need to consider the needs of another adult. Who knows, maybe through this blog the answer will appear, I am open to suggestions.

I am single and I have 2 amazing children. They are Penny, aged 12 and Dominic, aged 10. I'm not being biased (honest!) when I say that they are just the best kids. They are simply up for doing anything and only occasionally say “you're going to die” when I line up a random challenging expeditions that seriously push me out my comfort zone. So far, I've proved them wrong. Most of the stuff I do, I do with the kids and I genuinely think that they are my motivation for doing this adventurous stuff. I am determined to show them a life of adventure and to develop their passion for nature and the environment. So far, we are ticking every box, but there is still much more to be done.

I also try and complete an expedition every year that is away from the kids. Something for me, but also something that I hope my kids will see and think “my mum just did something pretty cool”. This years child-free expedition is already lined up, I will tell you about that very soon.

So why have I set up this blog? I am someone who always sticks up for the underdog, the minority and the excluded. Why, because I have been that person and it takes a lot of mental strength to get through it. Now I feel in a position where I can provide a platform where people who are in the situation that I was in can listen and hopefully be inspired. The title “Fat Lass Adventures” has been developed because its describes me perfectly. I'm a fat lass who has the best adventures.

Historically, I've come across many challenges to being an adventure-fatty person outside, not all necessarily obvious. Some of the comments, highlighting my size, I truly believe were not spoken out of malice, some maybe were. Often they were disguised as something else, such as concern for my health, or they think they're being motivational, but the reality is its just fat-shaming under a hidden agenda.

I think the most hurtful comment was from a toxic parasite that was briefly in my life. Following my decision to move away from that persons poisonous company, they highlighted my size on a national UK hiking Facebook page. I was initially gutted and then realised that I had as much right to being on a mountain top and also on that Facebook page (as well as any other outdoorsy page) as the next person. I'm sure their intention was not to actually inspire to shout from the rooftops that I'm fat, my body is ace and I love it, I love being outdoors and in the process of doing so, I complete some pretty cool stuff. Incidently, after setting up the Fat Lass Adventures Facebook page, it was reported for promoting a negative self image (cue an eye roll!). Anyway, this is a blog designed to promote and inspire us adventure-fatties to get your outdoorsy kit on and get outside, no more air time will be given to that fool in this blog!

So for my next blog, I'll tell you about my world of adventure so far and what I have in the planning. This is along side tackling some of the challenges that us adventure-fatties face. Until then, be nice to others and to yourself. x