Aerobics classes tend to attract women who want to lose weight, but in my Jazzercise class there's a more balanced message than just shedding a few pounds.

It all started a few years ago when Reebok stopped making their high topped aerobic shoes, which I needed for my delicate ankle. I started shopping eBay for discontinued items and soon discovered that Reebok had also made indigo, red and even more wonderful colors like black patent leather. I picked up a pair in purple because they matched my outfit, and was amazed at the wonderful response I got in class. Vermont tends to be a low key place, so most of the outfits in my class run from gray to white. There I was in the front row, wearing purple sneakers! A few years later I have collected workout shoes in every color of the rainbow, and they've became a wonderful ice breaker.

The shoes are more than just a cool fashion accessory, however. Part of the reason I shake my tailfeathers in the front row is that I'm aware that as a plus sized woman in an aerobics class, people are watching me. I'm proud that even though I'm many sizes larger than most of the women, I can keep up with the best of them – not only during the workout but in my ability to whoop it up during class. While talking to women directly about body self esteem often makes them defensive, just being up there in the front row changes people's minds about what being "fat" means. Both thin and fat women have told me that they love my vibrant energy, and that it helped them love their own bodies as well.

While a few women will indeed lose weight, most find instead that a healthy body makes for a lively and confident mind. I'm proud to be contributing to that story, which is that each of us can love our bodies exactly as we are. See you in class!

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