Sunday, March 27, 2022

Lizzo's "Watch Out For the Big Grrrls" Breaks the Reality TV Show Mold


     As someone who is not a fan of reality TV shows, I will admit I was skeptical when I saw the preview for Lizzo's reality TV show "Watch Out for the Big Grrls" on Amazon Prime. Although the premise of a dance competition featuring plus sized women seemed interesting, I worried it would be hokey or boring. I'm so glad that I gave this show a chance since it is entertaining, insightful, and uplifting. 

The main premise of the show is that Lizzo is searching for new backup dancers to add to her Big Grrrl dance crew who will perform with her at the annual Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee as well as go on tour with her across the country. In order to select the best woman for the job, Lizzo flies thirteen plus size women (including one trans woman) to Los Angeles to audition for a spot of the dance crew. In each episode, the contestants are given challenges meant to showcase their dancing ability, personality, creativity, as well as stamina and endurance.

Throughout the course of eight episodes, the viewer learns the backstory of each of the women which involve common factors of feeling unattractive and not feeling accepted by society due to their body size. By discovering dancing in various stages in their lives, each of the women find healing and happiness. As each episode progress, the viewer also sees each of the women transform from timid and insecure individuals to a strong and powerful team. By sharing a house together, eating, sleeping and dancing together on a daily basis, a sisterhood is formed among those living in the house in addition to bonds formed with Lizzo.

As I continued to watch each episode, I was surprised to see pieces of my life experience in each of these women whether it was through learning how to love my body (regardless of its size) or working to uplift other women through my words and deeds. Through watching this show, Lizzo's genuine love for helping women shine really showed as well as her desire to help women work through their person issues in order to become the best versions of themselves. 

In closing, if you are a plus size woman, have plus size people in your life, or just wanted to watch an unconventional reality TV show which focuses on uplifting often overlooked people, I highly recommend you watch this show!  

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

First Visit To Hometown Since COVID & Little Rock 1/2 Marathon Race Recap

     In an effort to complete my life long goal of running a half marathon in each state, I signed up to run the Little Rock 1/2 Marathon in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since the race occurred on Sunday, March 6, hubby and I decided to fly in early and drive down to my hometown in Alabama to visit my best friend as well as my parents (which I haven't seen in person since 2019. I was happy to be able to meet up with my best friend and her son over lunch before visiting with my dad and my mom.

Best friend and me


Dad and me

Hubby, dad, and me

Mom and me

Me, mom, and hubby

      After our brief visit to Alabama, it was time to return back to Little Rock to prep or the half marathon on Sunday. While taking a break from race prep, I was able to enjoy some delicious vegan food from Blue Sage Vegan Bistro.


Spicy mushroom tacos


Chick'n fried steak sandwich

Vegan grilled cheese with mushrooms and arugula

Spiral fries
After a good night's sleep at the hotel, it was time to get up and run the half marathon. The half marathon was fairly uneventful expect for a brief period of sprinkles followed by a later period of brief rain. Luckily, I made sure to pack a poncho in my pants pocket so I didn't get too wet during the race. 


Me before the half marathon



Bridge I ran on during on during race

Communion on the Run tent

Arkansas Governor's mansion

Me with half marathon finisher's medal

Close up of finisher's medal
Although there were many interesting tents set up along the race route, my favorite was the "Communion on the Run" tent in front of a church which gave runners the communion experience using pretzel bites to represent the body of Christ and a cup of grape juice to represent the blood of Christ. This to me was a very creative idea! Overall, the Little Rock 1/2 Marathon was a wonderful race to run and I loved how many community members come out to support us runners. I'm looking forward to visiting my family for a longer time sometime soon as well as looking forward to my next 1/2 marathon which will be the Las Vegas Women's 1/2 Marathon next month. 

The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge

Each year, I take on different reading challenges as a way to get outside of my reading comfort zone. For 2024, I plan to read a total of 10...