Be safe!

I have a friend, who runs for years now, so when it came to the colder months, I asked him what kind of running gear I need for the winter, as I had no idea how to dress. One of the things he said, was a headlight, as loads of people run in the morning, and obviously it is still dark at that time. I didn't buy one, as I never run in the morning, when I am going for a run, it is on my day off, and I don't need to get up early to fit a run in. 

source

Thank god for being smart, and never running in the dark. Last week on one of my runs, I was running just outside of the park next to me, good neighbourhood, etc. And I noticed a car (new Mercedes), that was just going next to me, at the speed of mine. I didn't look at it, I didn't want the driver to know that I know he is there. So I have no idea whether it was a joke, or god knows what else. But it was f*** creepy, let me tell you. He was doing it for a good couple of minutes, until an other car came from the other direction (god bless you, Mini driver), then the Mercedes stopped and I never saw it again. It was at half 3 in the afternoon, kids playing not far from me, and still this has happened. 

Whether it was a joke or not, I am pretty positive this would have never happened with a male runner. I don't know the driver's intentions, but even as a joke it is not funny, and gave me the creeps. I am not going to run in the dark ever, not that I have planned it or anything, but these things are scary enough during the day, what would have happened, if this was early in the morning, and no one was around? 

Please, if you go outside for activities, be safe. You can listen to music (I do it as well), but make sure it is not too loud, and you can still hear your surroundings. Make sure not to go into dark alley ways, and look around all the time. If you feel like you are not in a nice area, speed up and go to a safer street. If someone attacks you, don't be afraid to scream your lungs out. I read it somewhere, that screaming FIRE is actually more effective than screaming for help, as people are more afraid of a fire, as it can risk their life as well, not just someone else's. 

If you go for a run in the dark, be extra careful. Try not to run alone. Have lights on your head to make sure you see everything. Carry a pepper spray. Tell at least one person you know, that you went for a run, and tell them the route as well. Carry your phone with you. It is better to be safe than sorry. There are too many horrible stories around. 

It would be so nice not to make these precautions, but as long as there are stories of women being attacked outside, we need to be prepared. Be safe.

Fat AND fit?

I probably mentioned it before, that I am quite active on tumblr. If I haven't, then here it is now: I am very active on tumblr. A week ago or so, I came across a thread, that made me a bit angry, so here are my thoughts. 

This picture was the starter of the thread, which is in Hungarian, but here is the link if you understand any of it.

Firstly: I absolutely agree with this picture, and I think it is very good to show others, that a "fatty" can also be fit. What bothered me, that people started saying, that this is a lie, this is not even a motivator, it is worse, because it gives fat people the comfort, that they are fit and there is nothing to change about their lifestyle. 

What people forget most of the time is, that losing weight, and changing takes time. A long time. One does not start eating right and exercising, then the next day wakes up with a six pack and toned body. I started my journey in June, 2015. Lost over 20 kilos, dropped 3 sizes in clothing, but I am still not skinny. I still don't look fit, according to the - let's call them - haters. I have jiggly parts, I still have a tummy, I still have flabby bingo wings. Everything is smaller, but I still have them. And it is fine by me. Because I am in mid transition, and I know, that I am going to lose the leftover kilos just like I lost those 20+. But we can still say, that yes, in fact I still look fat-ish. 

But hell, I am running 7 kilometers non-stop now, I am training for my race in June, also I am practicing yoga almost every day, I easily hold myself in side-plank, regular plank, for minutes if I want to. What is that? I think it is called FIT. 

Just because someone who you see doesn't look like a fitness model, it doesn't mean they are not fit. They can be doing exercises for a long time. They might have been even bigger, and calling them fat is pretty ridiculous. Especially when most of these people who bash others for their looks are probably holding a doughnut/sugary shit drink while commenting these things, and have no self-control. 

Fat people can be fit. Of course they can be not fit as well. Just like skinny people. Your size doesn't determine your fitness level. It doesn't determine anything. Stop body shaming.