While the average traveler might not think twice before clicking purchase on their next travel destination, the plus size traveler needs to put a little more thought into their trip planning. Are the plane seats wide enough? Will the seat belt fit? Will certain excursions be able to accommodate my size? Life would be amazing, as a plus size traveler if we didn’t have to think about these things, but unfortunately, society has not caught up with the body positivity revolution. Until then, I’m here to promote travel, body positivity, and how to travel like a fat, fabulous boss.
I have been a solo travel blogger for the past 2 years. I was terrified at first. What if I get lost? Will I make friends? Who will take my pics for the gram? To be honest, solo travel is not for everyone. Some people do not want to make new friends. They prefer to stick to who they know. That’s cool if that’s you. There is no right or wrong way to travel. However, if the thought of the unknown excites you, and you look forward to what new adventure awaits? You might be a budding solo traveler. While traveling gives you insight on cultures and new foods, unfortunately, it isn’t always pretty. Last year I checked out Vietnam for the first time solo. I had no idea how beautiful Vietnam was. It was stunning. What I wasn’t prepared for; was the reality that they rarely saw Black people. Generally, most people were polite and asked if they could take pictures with me (Yes, they wanted to take pictures of me because I’m Black!) however others were not as kind. In Da Nang, some locals followed me around snapping pictures (without my permission) or they noticed me and started to point and laugh hysterically. After a while, you develop a thick skin. Minor incidents like that haven’t made me change my attitude about travel. I still want to catch flights every opportunity I get. There is too much world to see, to let a minor incident stop me!
I pride myself on being the guinea pig, for many of my plus sized readers. My goal is to show both men and women that regardless of size, we can do whatever it is that we want to do. So far, I’ve gone zip lining in the rainforest in Costa Rica, I’ve gone on hikes and I even checked out a clothing optional resort in Jamaica! To be 100% transparent, I had to work up the nerve to go totally nude. That and a couple of shots of rum! My expectation was that everyone was going to stop and stare at me. My reality was no one could care less whether I was 50 pounds or 200 pounds. People were just there to meet new people and have a fun time. A lot of times we psych ourselves out, thinking of worst-case scenario. A few years ago, I wanted to zip line at Niagara Falls, Canada. I totally understand that there are weight restrictions. When I filled in the online waiver (pretty much signing my life away), I checked the box that indicated that I fell within the weight restrictions. When I got to the registration booth in Niagara Falls, they had the attendant behind a glass booth and a scale on the outside. In order to confirm your weight, you had to step on the scale in front of everyone who was behind you in line. She then let you know if you were ok to go on or not (by using her mic, as she was behind glass!) I’m thinking there could be a more subtle and sensitive way to check people’s weight. What if I didn’t fall between the weight limitations; in front of everyone was she going to deny me on the microphone?
The reality is, as a plus size traveler, it is important to develop a thick skin. Not everyone celebrates you. There are those people who think 
that travel should be reserved for those who are size 10 or smaller. What’s important to remember, we all have one life to live. Only you can choose how to live it. Are you going to stay home and hide under your clothes all summer because people might be upset and offended by your fat; or are you gonna let your thick thighs and tummy flourish in a 2 piece bikini on the beaches of the Caribbean? It’s not a matter of getting beach body ready. It’s a matter of the beach is going to get whatever body I give it. Fat, Fabulous and Flourishing!
