Any really big girls do dressage?

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Stella

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Feeling very p****d off at the momemt. I have always been on the 'big boned' side, but I've been having a bit of a palavour with my Thyroid over the past year the problem is more long-standing than that but the palavour has been more recent) and have put on more weight. Sadly, it seems that it doesn't just 'fall off' like it 'falls on' and although I'm dieting, its very tough going, probably because I'm also menapausal (buddle of laughs eh?).

On top of that, I ruptured ligaments in my foot and tore a tendon on Christmas Eve coming off. They are still not healed enough for me to ride, but I think I may be able to in a few weeks. I decided just after I did it that I wouldn't ride until I lost the weight, but since that turns out to be more difficult than I thought, I'm a bit miserable. I do think the weight effects my balance to some extent and I don't feel very fit, but riding in the arena shouldn't be a problem (my mare is a heavy hunter). I'm not going to share my weight - its just too depressing, but I'm size 20 at the bottom and 22 at the top. I'd like to do the healthy eating thing and just get on with my life at the same time, but do really big girls do dressage? Are there other big riders here who can tell me they do it and its fine?
 
I am sure you will be fine, but it depends on your fitness, as you have to do the groudwork behind the dressage first, and it takes alot of fitness to do that. Remember the horse needs to work through its back and it will be more difficult to the more weight he is supporting.

In the nicest possible sence, why not go to your GP and asked for a healthy eating plan? If you ride for an hour a day, that can be your exercise, do yard duties, vigourous grooming and yard sweeping, mucking out, you should loose the weight.

You have to be determined to do it, and looking being fit enough to do a dressage test should be your aim and goal. Good luck!
 
I am an 18 in bottoms and a 20 on top(curse those huge boobs!!).Not a dressagre bod but wouldnt let my weight stop me riding.
IMO as long as you are not too heavy for you horse whats the problem?
 
I am also bigger than I would like to be, menopausal, and with a catalogue of injuries that have made me less mobile, and therefore inclined to put on weight so I just wanted to say you are not the only one. Like you I thought it would be best to shed a bit of weight before picking up more regular riding again, but it is not to be, and expereince from the past has taught me that I am more likely to drop weight if I am actually riding.

If your horse can easily carry you, I don't see why you shouldn't do some dressage, it is about riding a test accurately, not looking like Anky (although that would be nice).
 
I know this doesnt particularly answer your post but..

Just a thought but have you had yourself tested for polycystic ovaries? Several women I know who have struggled with weight in the same way have been tested to find out that this is the problem. But you have to push your doc for the tests!

IMO I think there are a lot of seriously overweight women out there feeling c**p about their weight, dieting and getting nowhere, and being treated in a condescending way by the male docs, when there is actually a medical problem.

Its just many docs dont seem to know about it.

Just a possibility.
 
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Just uploaded this picture just for you!
 
Stella, I have been on a diet since I was 10 .... that was 30 years ago!! When I was 10 I was 10 stone!!! BUT I got teased sooooooo much and was DETERMINED to get fit and healthy for my own sanity rather than anything else or ANYONE else... so it is bloody hard work BUT believe you me IT IS WORTH IT HONEST... it takes time BUT when you do see the results, a little at a time my god it makes you feel good. You need support from friends but you must be willing to put in the effort. I am now a size 14 and have been for a many years.. at one time I got down to size 10 and did bodybuilding for many years but then got back into my horse and could not do both BUT I had changed my eating habits... NOT A DIET OK!! But eating differently, as soon as you say DIET it puts stress there!!! Go to your doc like Feufolet has suggested and get some help with your eating plan. It is not all lettuce and rabbit food believe me and if you need any help let me know... Dont be miserable.. think of it as a challenge.. a little at a time...no fad diets they are the worst... it is a change for life and you will feel the difference. I do not know how old you are but I am sure you can do it and your riding will help you too as you are exercising... help other people mucking out.. will be good for you and they will love you for it too I am sure... sweep the yard.. poo pick the field.. anything to get you sweating!! BUT go and see your doctor first ok?? Good luck and keep us posted.
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Yes! ME!
I am not a lot smaller than you and here is me and my boy just over 3 years a go.

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If you want to know my size in that picture you are welcome to pm me. Wayyyyy to embarrassed to put it up here.
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I have since had a baby and got a big bigger. I have lost my baby fat and am working off the rest. I am having to really up the exercise to get anywhere. I am doing 3 lots of Aerobic workouts a week, plus some walking (when weather allows) and riding.

Subject to my entry arriving on time I will be doing a Dressage comp this weekend!
 
I don't have the other symptoms consistent with PSOS, so I doubt its that really. I have also been a perpetual dieter and don't do fad diets any longer (made myself quite ill on Atkins a couple of years ago. Lost weight, but hell of a price!). I have eduated myself about healthy eating and pretty much keep to a low GI eating plan, low fat, low sugar, complex carbs, veg, fruit, chicken and fish. I work full time and my horse is on full livery so mucking out (although great exercise) isn't done by me. I am now able to do some limited stuff at the gym after work (baring in mind the foot injury), and as that improves it should help. I will do it, its just that I've come to realise that it will be a slow, long job and I want to ride my horse (who can carry me easily) and get out and about on her in the summer, I just don't want to look like a prat - I know that shouldn't matter, but it would be nice to know there are other 'big girl' riders out there
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You can ride really well provided you can balance your weight.
I've taught loads of big people and they can often ride "lighter" for the horse than someone half their size who bounces about and has bad hands.
The best thing to do is find someone with a good lunge horse and work on your position.
Get a well fitting jacket and get on with it, theriding will help you get fitter.
I've just lost over a stone merely by cutting out wheat products.
I can't wait for the summer when I can swim a lot and hopefully more weight will go.
I think you will find there are lots of forum members who are your shape who compete..and win!
 
Bless You
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My trainer says that I carry myself lightly (after she did her early work with me last year) so that isn't a worry for me. She is very good and honest. I was lighter (in weight) when I began working with her and she didn't avoid telling me what needed to be improved.Whatever my weight I wouldn't sit 'down onto' a horse's back. I carry my seat whilst sitting to the horse if you know what I mean. I have seen her for a couple of months due to the damage to my foot.
 
Im not slim, 12-14, but I dont suffer from PCOS so dont know much about it but I do have friends who found out from friends etc and have since got a diagnosis!!! Their doc hadnt even considered it. Just constantly told them they needed to lose weight. Some of them have tried everything to lose weight. It just makes me really cross that they had to suffer the comments and attitudes of others for so long!!! And their self image is so damaged!
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Im not slim, 12-14, but I dont suffer from PCOS so dont know much about it but I do have friends who found out from friends etc and have since got a diagnosis!!! Their doc hadnt even considered it. Just constantly told them they needed to lose weight. Some of them have tried everything to lose weight. It just makes me really cross that they had to suffer the comments and attitudes of others for so long (ie lazy, eat too much etc)!!! Their self image is so damaged!
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Exactly
I know I dont have a huge weight issue, but I have to be careful. If I eat unhealthily I will gain weight . However, I just get really annoyed when people criticise women who have got a weight problem and assume they are lazy or greedy, whatever, and actually there is a medical reason for their weight gain, which they cant control if they are unaware of it.
 
I think that like your trainer says if you are in control of your body in terms of balance then you should have no problem. You are obviously sensible and have a horse to suit you and your physique. I have taught some 'ideal' body types who ride very 'heavily' because they are out of balance. There is an amazing French rider Monique D'Esme who is not your ideal dressage physique and she does pretty well to say the least!!!!
When you get back to riding you will feel better and this will help you and the lovely pictures that some of the 'larger ladies' show how great they do. In the mean time you could try one of those 'fit ballls ' and that will help you develope your core muscles so when you do get back to it you will be able to ride light . Good luck. X.
 
My weight has yo-yo'd for most of my life, and once you hit your 40s its much more difficult to come off. Last summer I diagnosed myself with a wheat intollerance (clever) and cut out the bread which had been my staple diet since a child. I lost nearly 2 stone and felt so much more balanced on my horse and had much more energy.

I remember seeing a very large lady at the Pet Plan Festival last year on a huge horse who did a very elegant PSG test. There are lots of large ladies who I regularly compete with at local unafilliated level.

Its easy to lose confidence when the weight piles on, but at our age you start to worry less about what others might think of you. Just go out and enjoy yourself. The more work you put in the better marks you will get and that in itself is an ego boost
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What a lovely and spot on reply Llwyncwn !
If that doesnt make you feel better i think we need to come and give you a good 'ol [gentle] kick up the bum!
Get well and get back on as soon as you can. Summers coming!!!
 
I was 15 stone when I started riding again after 25 years! I thought I'd be the biggest person by miles at every competition I went to - but no!

Get the all clear from your GP - tell him you need the fun and enjoyment of riding to keep you cheerful and focussed on your healthy eating and the exercise will help strengthen your leg and even up any imbalance from your time hopping about.

If you see anyone giving you funny looks just think to yourself - well you may be thinner than me but I'm sure as hell a better rider than you - and I've got better manners than to stare too. Then go out and get better marks than them!
 
Have you tried the Rosemary Conley diet? My friend, who was diagnosed with an under active thyroid, managed to drop 3 dress sizes on this diet.

I lost 3 1/2 stones on it myself after the birth of my last child. I also tore ligaments in my ankle last September which has been a big haul to recover from. I put a stone or so on. Currently back on the RC diet and have lost a staggering 12lbs in two weeks!!!!! I didn't intentionally lose that much, just shows how I was over eating before though. It will steady off to 1 -2 lbs a week before the end of the month.

I don't eat anything over 4% fat (4g of fat when you check the nutrional info on food labels per 100g). I also cut right down on bread as this has, like others mentioned, always been my downfall. I also don't eat anything after 5pm but you could make that 6 or 7pm if work dictates when you eat of an evening.

I've seen many larger ladies out riding. As long as your jacket fits well and your horse is a weight carrier....it's not a problem. Get out there and enjoy you horse!
 
I read somewhere recently that the average size of women in the UK is now between a 16 - 18 - I wear 14-16 clothes (not that I'm proud of that fact!) and have tried all the diets under the sun but really can't be bothered with them all anymore. I have decided to eat healthily, carry on riding and enjoy life instead of thinking about what carrot stick is my next meal!!!
 
Go for it girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As long as your horse is big enough where is the problem?

I have a friend that is miles bigger than you and she still rides.

I lost a staggering amount of weight when my ex husband left me. It just dropped off. I got back to my riding and loved every minute of it.

However, I had a nasty shoulder injury last April / May and I have been unable to ride. The weight has piled back on again. I am not happy with the weight but I don't do diets! lol

My shoulder is now better, but it has no strength and the only way to get it back is to work it again.

I got my new horse Milly 2 weeks ago yesterday and already I have started to loose some weight. I know from past experience the more riding I do, the more the weight will come off and I will tone up my bat wings and the flabby bits on the inside of my legs! lol
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So, go girl and enjoy ever minute of it!!!!!!!!!

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Oh, I forgot to say...............

The girl I have bought has done Dressage for the last 4 years and I am going to have a go at some very basic stuff so I have a better understanding of her!!
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I have got my first lesson tomorrow!! eeek!
 
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