By: Chani Farhaven, VLCE
I have always love
d the outdoors. Many of my favorite memories from childhood in Oklahoma and Texas involve being outside: picnics with my family, riding my bike and feeling like I was free and flying, walking home from school underneath giant trees along a creek, watching fields of corn waving in the breeze while the sun warmed my face. I now live in the Seattle area and nature is still one of my happy places. Recently I was lucky enough to join in on the first hike of the Seattle chapter of Fat Girls Hiking. Started in Portland, this group is currently expanding to other cities. From the Fat Girls Hiking website:
Our motto, Trails Not Scales focuses on Self Care in the outdoors. We promote weight-neutrality & Health At Every Size. Trails Not Scales reminds us that the more we hike, the more love we have for ourselves & our bodies just as they are. We want all people to feel comfortable outdoors & to be able to claim their space on the trail.
About 30 of us met up for the first hike at Discovery Park in Seattle. What I loved about it is that everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly. All sizes of bodies were out in the world, together, connecting with each other and with nature. We hiked through the woods, and along the beach.
We saw a bald eagle which took off and flew RIGHT past me. I may have squealed a bit.
It was a lovely day of exploration filled with community and I met so many wonderful people. I can’t wait for the next Seattle hike.