Hi! There are a lot of new faces here, particularly after being on the Pantsuit Politics podcast this week talking about Body neutrality, Joyful Movement, and size-inclusive fashion. I really enjoyed my conversation with Beth Silvers, and have been overwhelmed with the feedback I received since it came out. I’ve been a long-time listener and patron of the podcast and was thrilled to be able to share a bit of myself with the Pantsuit Politics Community. If you’d like to listen to the conversation, it starts around 32 minutes into the episode, titled “Hard News, Joyful Movement, and Bachelor Nation,” available on your favorite podcast player, on their site, and also embedded below.
I also had the pleasure of taking over the @pantsuitpolitics account on Instagram on Wednesday, April 13th. You can watch the Stories saved here. As mentioned during that takeover, I couldn’t get to everyone’s questions, so I’m going to answer them at the end of this post.
I started this blog 13 years ago as a space for public accountability during a weight loss journey after being rejected from a Biggest Loser casting call. I spent the majority of my life trying to make myself smaller and fighting my body for not fitting in. The work I do in this space is focused on unlearning that I am not inadequate, less-than, or insignificant because I move through life in a larger container. This means embracing personal style (even if it goes against antiquated “rules”), talking about the lack of access to plus and extended plus (24+) sizes, sharing joyful movement without any goal of calories/steps/pounds, and speaking aloud about things that make me uncomfortable (but feel important to address.) As you may have inferred from my blog name, my goal is to always be authentically me.
- Emily Ho, 41 years old (as of last week!), from Lexington, KY, now living in Louisville with my husband and pup
- I love: dresses, colorful accessories, my Peloton bike (LB: authemmie), decorating Christmas trees, coffee, sequins, Lizzo, my massive Stanley mug (#influenced).
- I could do without: fatphobia, small airplane seats, snap judgments, social anxiety, restaurants with tables too close together, brands that say they’re size inclusive but don’t actually carry my size.
Here are some of my favorite “life” posts:
- Reflections after 12 years of blogging
- Discussing fat bodies in fitness spaces
- My fat camp experience
- Why 100 rides on my Peloton was such a big deal, and a 1 year review
- Overcoming negative body talk – a conversation around a sweaty experience
- Mental health
- Why a Lizzo concert was so transformative – being in a space without body judgement
- Recovering from Binge Eating Disorder, and what dieting since the age of 5 looks like
- How influencers and bloggers make money
- 5 lessons learned after divorce
Some favorite plus size fashion posts (most of the fashion stuff ends up on Instagram)
- Challenging fashion “rules” with an “unflattering” outfit
- Places to buy swimsuits size 24 and above
- Plus size workout clothes
- Plus size Kentucky Derby outfits – appropriate for this time of year
- The sports bra that changed my life
- Some new underwear that comes in sizes 00-40 and actually offers crotch coverage 😂
Where to find me:
- TikTok (the wild, wild west)
Q&A from the @pantsuitpolitics AMA:
There were some great questions that came through and I wanted to make sure to address them here since I couldn’t cover them all during the takeover. I’m currently working on these responses, so if you don’t see a response yet, please check back!
- Does a bra exist that isn’t torture for us bigger gals? My 38DDDs are miserable.
- I feel your pain (literally.) The hardest part isn’t necessarily in finding bras in larger sizes, it’s that everyone has such different needs when it comes to level of support desired, style, and what they find comfortable. If you want to do a deep dive into all the things that go into bras and which might work for you, I suggest checking out the A Bra that Fits sub on Reddit. They have their own calculator and are a wealth of knowledge. I also suggest checking out a local intimates boutique, if you have one nearby. It’s a good place to get fitted and try different styles without the vicious order/return cycle. In general, I think a lot of people in your size range really love Elomi bras. I have some that provide excellent shape and support, but are slightly too small in the band for me. They use UK sizing, so keep that in mind when ordering. Curvy Couture has some nice offerings in underwire and bralettes. Most of the bras I wear every day are from Lane Bryant. They have such a wide variety of styles and sizes, and I appreciate that they’re available in-store. I’m currently wearing their latest invisible backsmoother lightly lined full coverage, and it’s very comfortable. For sports bras, I always recommend Enell.
- Suggestions for helping kids shop who don’t fit in size ranges at common stores?
- How do I accept my size when it’s directly causing problematic health issues?
- Tips for learning how to be comfortable in your body? I put on weight last year and am struggling.
- Good words or resources to inform why “lose weight” doesn’t work with obesity.
- What brands offer great options for extended sizes and how can I support them?
- What do you wish we could do differently/better with kids re: size inclusivity and body neutrality
- How to deal with a family member who is orthorexic?
