Fat Girls Need Workout Clothes, Too

I am a plus size girl. Size 18-20 to be exact. I am supposed to be training for a half marathon. I have had several setbacks - including surgery - but I am ready to get back in the groove, now. I mean, the marathon is less than a month away, I don't think I really have a choice. But I'm having a hard time finding clothes to wear. When I go to the sports stores they have really cute stuff. Stuff that only fits the people who already have the body I want. How do people expect us fat girls to lose weight if we don't have anything to wear?? It's only March, but it's already hot here in Texas and I need to find something cool to wear on my runs. I'm ready to put aside my issues and wear something sleeveless, perhaps maybe even shorts of some kind. But I can't find anything that will fit my giant body. And the stuff I find online is so expensive I can't afford it. I know that running gear is expensive no matter what size you are, but why the workout bras in my size $60??? Sheesh! I just need something to keep these things from knocking me out. But I guess something like that will cost me. If you have any idea where I can get some good workout clothes for plus size women, please share your information with me.

Comment by Geosomin on March 9, 2009 at 2:25pm: It sucks, but unfortunately, you do want a good bra and shoes. They are definitely worth all the money you spend on them. You would not believe the back/joint pain I had when I was first losing weight until I gave in and bought 1 good workout bra and a good pair of shoes. Shop aroud for deals, but a lot of times, there just aren't cheap deals on those things...it's really unfortunate. Even now that I'm thinner, when I cheap out on a cheap bra I can tell...too much bouncing going on. If someone set up a fitness line with larger sizes priced at "normal" prices they'd make a fortune wouldn't they?
Other than that I just bought men's workout gear that fit( shorts and sweats) and made them work with a bit of alterations. It was baggy and not really "pretty" but it worked. I'm handy with a sewing machine so I could pretty them up a bit, for starters. Sweatpant and t-shirt material is relatively forgiving if you even just cut it, so it will do in a pinch. To be honest, I used this as a goal...to get myself swanky gear in smaller sizes. In time I did. Ebay does carry some plus size stuff, and sometimes walmart/zellers do as well. If you had a bit more time, the plus size stores often put their gear on sale in the spring...there isn't a lot of choice, I know.
Don't let it stop you...you're worth it :)

Comment by Rachyl Stone on March 9, 2009 at 2:57pm: Thank you for all of your suggestions! I don't mind splurging when it comes to quality gear. Trying to find it has been hard, though. I guess it's even harder right now because I'm looking for something so specific. I've heard Walmart has good things and I've even bought things from there and Kohl's as well. However, I need something that is good for running and sweatting, nothing cotton. And it seems that all of the running gear is for thinner athletes. But you are certainly right, this is a huge motivation to get into smaller workout gear!!!

Comment by David on March 9, 2009 at 7:42pm: Rachyl, obviously I don't know much about where you should purchase affordable women sizes, but I can recommend that you should view this purchase as an investment in yourself--that to get from here to there, you'll need the proper equipment, or in this case, work-out clothes.

When you reach your goal/s, you'll look back at your purchase as the best thing you ever did.

Comment by Rachyl Stone on March 9, 2009 at 7:54pm: I definitely agree. I'm going to have to spend money to get quality gear. I just wish I could find some. I guess I'm just going to have to look harder! I know once I get into nice clothes, I'll feel more confident during my training and workouts as well.

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