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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Sarah Phillips

‘Plot twist - I’m still a fat person!’: meet the people proving you can be fit at any size

Scottee, Becky Scott, Trina Nicole, Chris Yates, Kim Stacey and Rhian Cutter in a composite image of them all working out in different ways
From left: Chris Yates, Becky Scott, Kim Stacey, Trina Nicole, Scottee and Rhian Cutter. Composite: Fabio De Paola

It is an autumn evening and a group of women have assembled in a community centre in Essex, as others Zoom in from home. They have gathered to join fitness instructor Becky Scott, in one of her MissFits Workout sessions, aimed at helping plus-size people find empowerment through movement – although all body shapes are welcoIme. “I know people in much smaller bodies who wouldn’t feel comfortable standing at the front and doing what I do,” she says. “I’ve always enjoyed playing a role. The Becky that stands at the front of the class is Becky the fitness instructor.” The sessions involve easy-to-follow and uplifting aerobic routines, featuring imaginary glitter-throwing and squats.

Scott, 43, danced as a child, doing ballet, tap and jazz, until she stopped at the age of 15. “Everyone was going en pointe,” she explains, “and I thought: I’m never going to have a career – I’m not built to be a dancer. Why would I mess up my toes, ankles and knee joints for a hobby? So I gave it all up.”

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