In this blog post, one of our Trauma Ambassadors, Becky, shares details of a new movement programme ‘Bigger, Faster, Stronger’.
My name is Becky Scott, I’ve volunteered as a Trauma Ambassador for several years now and am proud to have choreographed my own dance performance that was included in last year’s Expressions of Trauma exhibition at The Minories. I find working alongside my fellow ambassadors incredibly rewarding. We are able to raise awareness of the issues and stigma relating to trauma and I feel like we’re making a difference by helping to create and promote new initiatives for the people of Essex – especially those who are survivors of trauma.
Becky Scott – ‘MissFits’
I am also a fitness professional who works to reduce stigma – especially weight stigma – by working in the fitness industry in a bigger body and with a chronic illness, to show that lots of different bodies can benefit from the joys of physical activity! I started teaching a community class in 2019 under the name MissFits Workout and have built a community of ‘MissFits’ online and face to face who enjoy moving their bodies – many of whom were inactive before coming to our classes!
I’m so passionate about making movement more accessible for more people that I recently completed a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Since then I have been creating a movement programme and applying for funding… Which has finally been granted!
I’m excited to launch our fully funded rolling 6-week movement programme, for inactive adults in bigger bodies – called Bigger Faster Stronger. This is a joint project funded by Colchester City Council, managed by Community Halls in Partnership and delivered by MissFits Workout. Clients can self refer/apply via the website. Sessions start in February 2025 at Abbots Community Centre, will be offered on a first come first served basis (to those who meet the selection criteria) and will be available for a limited time during this pilot phase.
Becky at one of the classes
Bigger, Faster, Stronger is an introduction to exercise programme designed specifically for inactive adults in bigger bodies who want to improve their health, wellbeing, strength, mobility and quality of life by moving more. This rolling programme of small group weekly sessions will allow those who are new to or returning to exercise to build confidence as well as fitness in a safe and supportive environment, led by me – a fitness instructor in a bigger body with lived experience of the challenges and stigma we face when trying to be active.
Body size is not simply moderated by calories in/out, and we are all aware that ‘obesity’ is linked to several complex, interconnecting variables (Vandenbroeck, 2007). Amongst many others, these include weight stigma (Hunger, Major, et al., 2015) and internalised weight bias (Pearl & Puhl, 2018) which can make accessing mainstream fitness settings inaccessible to people in bigger bodies. Attempts to make “fat” people “thin” long-term have been inconclusive (Mann et al., 2007), ineffective (McEvedy et al., 2017) and shown suboptimal health benefits (Tomiyama et al., 2013).
However, increased physical activity is associated with improvements in
– ‘obesity’-related health conditions (Gaesser & Angadi, 2021)
– cardiovascular fitness (Khalid et al., 2024; Ortega et al., 2018)
– positive body image (Hausenblas & Fallon, 2006)
– body satisfaction and quality of life (Carraça et al., 2021)
often regardless of weight change.
This programme will offer 30 minute taster sessions on a variety of exercise styles (low to moderate impact/intensity) alongside 30 minute workshops exploring social support, motivation to move, stress, safety and body acceptance in relation to physical activity. This rolling programme of 6 sessions (weekly) will allow people to join throughout the project and leave when they feel confident enough to try other physical activity. Participants will be able to attend 6 to 12 sessions as needed. This pilot project will run for 3 months starting at the end of February 2025 (after half term).
Whilst this is just a pilot project, we are hoping to reach about 30 or more participants – so please share widely!
Please pass these details, website or the attached flyer to anyone working/living in the Colchester area that may be interested in sharing details with their clients, patients or service users. Clients can self refer/apply via the website.
Becky Scott, Trauma Ambassador