Forty brave plus-size women stieked uit for a photoshoot at Virgin Active in Mitchells Plain last week as part of a campaign to get bigger ladies accepted by the public.
For most, it was an odd combination to see “fat girls” inside a gym, says organiser Melissa Smith, from the social movement Differently Beautiful.
The photoshoot came after Melissa, from Mitchells Plain, was “bullied” online by a woman who made nasty comments about photos she had posted rocking a see-through dress.
Last week she invited ladies of all shapes and sizes to join her in the gym as part of her empowerment campaign, #LetsGetPhysical.
“We want to prove that although we are big girls, we can make the effort to live a healthy lifestyle and also how important it is to keep fit,” she says.
WORKING OUT: Melissa da Silva
“I believe you can be big and healthy at the same time.”
Melissa says the experience was inspiring yet emotional when one of the women arrived in a wheelchair.
“We met Nicole Fisher, 31, who weighs 150kg. She is currently at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre where she receives care after having a brain haemorrhage,” she says.
PROUD POSE: Melissa Smith
“When she rocked up, we had to carry her upstairs to the studio for the pictures, her confidence spoke volumes and this made us all emotional.”
The free photoshoot was done in collaboration with Models For The Brand Photographers, in aid of the Women Empowerment and Awareness Campaign hike, which Differently Beautiful will be hosting in February with The Hikers Network.