Guest Author - Megan McConnell

For many large & lovely's getting enough exercise can be a problem. For many of us, our level of fitness is just not as good as our smaller sisters.

And let's face it - the thought of going to a gym and sweating it out with all of the smaller gals is enough to make the smaller gals feel apprehensive - let alone us L&L's.

To make things worse - gym exercise can be boring as well.

But - there are lots of other things that you can do to get exercise and have fun. Things that will get you moving and yet not be boring.

So - let's take a look at ways we can get fit, and still have fun!

Field Hockey

Don't knock it. Field Hockey is a fun game, and will really get you moving. Now - it is something that you will need some fitness for, so those of you who have not done any sports or activities for some time, should work your way up to this.

There are Hockey teams for all ages - and these can be both mixed or ladies only. Local hockey teams come in all shapes, sizes and ages, so you will not feel self-conscious.

There will be outlay for equipment - you will need a stick, pads, shoes and uniform, but in return you will get the camaraderie of being part of a team. Who knows - you may even be part of a team to win the finals!

Tennis

Now, this is an activity that can be as strenuous as you like. You can simply pick up a tennis raquet and hit tennis balls against a wall, or you can join a local tennis club and play fixtures.

Lawn Bowls

This is a really fun sport, that has filtered down from the Seniors and is now played and enjoyed by all ages.

You do not have to be super fit for this sport, and it is played both outside in the sunshine and on indoor greens. It does involve bending and stooping, but this is for a relatively short time, and if a 90 year old can do it, then there is no reason that you cannot.

Most bowls clubs have a very reasonable membership fee - as most of their members are elderly and in receipt only of social security benefits. Many of them also offer free coaching to new members, and also run other social activities throughout the year.

If you have never played Lawn Bowls, it is a game that evolved from Pentaque or Boules (both of which are very popular as well). The playing field (called the "green") is fairly short, and the players all congregate at one end of it. A small white ball (called the jack) is first rolled down the green - and where it stops is the target for the bowlers to hit.

The idea of Lawn Bowls is each player takes a bowl and bowls it down the green - the aim to stop closest to the jack.

It's nice easy exercise for everybody!

10 Pin Bowling

Not as easy as lawn bowls - but still a lot of fun. If you are interested in 10 pin bowling, why not check out the BellaOnline Bowling site for more information.

Bicycle Riding

Going for a bicycle ride is a fun way to get around - and not only helps to save the environment, you also get fit as well!

Swimming

There are so many benefits of swimming that it's hard to list them all. Swimming exercises all muscles in your body, and the boyancy of the water makes the exercise seem less strenuous.

It's also a great excuse for you to learn to swim (if you can't already).

Of course, if you don't like doing laps, there are plenty of other water activities that you can do to keep fit.

Aqua Aerobics

This is very popular, and is simply aerobics done in water. Generally you are in water about knee to hip deep. Personally, it is not something I enjoy, as I feel that if I wanted to do aerobics I would do it on land - not in water. It is not necessary to be a good swimmer to do Aqua Aerobics - but you should be able to swim from one side of a pool to another.

Aqua Fitness

This is the water fitness programme I love. It is done in water as deep as you can stand in - or deeper for some exercises - and the idea is all about resistance exercise. Using various pool toys (yes - pool toys can be fitness tools!) you exercise using the water as a resistance. This is a very strenuous programme - but does not seem so and you will be surprised at just how good a workout it really is. You should be a confident swimmer to do Aqua Fitness, as many of the exercises are done without your feet touching the bottom of the pool.

Deep Water Running

Another popular form of watery fitness, in deep water running, you are literally doing that. This is another exercise where the water provides the resistance for your exercising. Because this is done in deep water, you should be a confident swimmer before you attempt this type of exercise.

Walking the Dog

Take Rover out for a walk every day. Your dog will love you for it - and you will be surprised at how much you will enjoy getting to know your neighbours and the neighbourhood as you get fit.

Play with the Kids in the Park

Or in the backyard! Join in the games with your children - not only will it get them out of the house (from in front of the TV or computer games) but they will enjoy the quality time that you spend playing with them.

Playing has another advantage for humans - it has been scientifically proved that all humans benefit from playing to keep their minds active and receptive.

No matter what your size, keeping fit is important. Keeping a good level of fitness, will also give you more confidence about being Large & Lovely - and will be one in the eye for all those who give you grief about your size! After all, if you are fitter than them, your quality (and quantity) of life will be much better than those skinny but un-fit people.

What's your favorite way of keeping fit? Why not visit our message boards and tell us!