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Smartphones werent that popular yet, so frequently uploading images to social media really wasnt a thing.
Amanda Bailey / Getty Images
Without this technology at our fingertips, representation ofdiverse bodies in fitnesswas basically nonexistent.
(And that, of course, is very normal).
I didnt lose any weight, and my appearance didnt change drastically.
What did change, though, was my mindset.
And it changed dramatically.
I finally started to embrace my own athleticism.
The shift happened when I started working with a running coach who had a body like mine.
She lived like an athlete, and this changed everything for me.
It also pushed me to see what other body-positive fitness resources I could find.
Although books featuring diverse body types were still very lacking, I gravitated toward the few that were available.
They were so helpful to me.
These stories demonstrate possibility.
Little did I know back in 2005 that I would become an author of body-positive fitness books myself.
I hope they can help you as much as they helped me!
See more from SELF’s Future of Fitness package here.
Rye covers social media, shifting mindsets, and more.
Theres so much great information in this book, and the artwork is beautiful.
Its the fitness edition within a series that includes my above pick,Yoga for Everyone.
I am so proud of this book.
Her body-positive memoir is told with raw honesty, an adventurous spirit, and a sharp sense of humor.
It shows that anyone can become an athlete.
Youby Meredith Atwood
Atwood is a four-time Ironman triathlete, coach, and author.
This is a great book about her journey to go those extreme lengths while in a larger body.
In it, I share my personal story along with other Big Fit Girls.
Williams, whos very witty, takes us through her race journey as a larger-bodied triathlete.
Even if you never plan to do a triathlon, this book is hilarious and a great read!
Goerzen gets deeply personal and also uses research to make her case.
A great read for both trainers and those newly stepping into the fitness world.
