Society would have you to believe that if you are over a size 12, you are obese and unhealthy- BUT we know that to not be the case! We have seen many women (you may be one) who wears her curves healthy and confidently!
And for those trying to lose weight, the gyms do not always make it either comfortable nor welcoming… but there are some who do cater to you!
Enter Miss Debra Mazda of Shapley Girl Fitness! Noted for her fitness videos and work out sessions in the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia Pa, Miss Mazda sets to set the record straight- that yes you as a plus size diva can be healthy at your size!
I had the pleasure to interview her about who she is and what she does! Please read on as I introduce to you, Miss Debra Mazda…
Well hello there! Thank you for taking the time to let me interview you! I love your message! How are you?
I am terrific and FIT AND FABULOUS as ever. I feel and look better today than ever and want to spread the word that getting fit and healthy is a matter of getting OFF OF THE COUCH AND MOVING.
Miss Debra, I have noticed that you are literally working it out for the plus size women! Share with us exactly what ShapelyGirl is!
SHAPELYGIRL FITNESS is a program that is designed for larger, plus-size and shapelier women who want to get fit, healthy and feel better. The DVD’s are fun, engergizing, motivating and very easy to follow. I have also incorporated my signature CIRCLE TIME, where we discuss fitness/health/weight loss issues at the end of the workout…
The program embraces larger women to realize that you need to start moving today and not waiting to be a size 2 to feel and look better..No, you need start just where you are right now only getting better and fitter everyday while losing weight if that is your goal. It is ok to be a size 14 and be fit because not all of us are meant or going to be a size 2.
I started this program because I personally weighed over 300 pounds years ago and wanted women everywhere to know I know how they feel. Today, I am a very fit and healthy size 12 and love every curve on my body. You will see larger women in the SHAPELYGIRL FITNESS DVD’S who are getting fit and healthy so you can connect with them. We understand you and will be there with you every step of the way.
So, I touched briefly on the message I love, but before we delve into that can you share what the impetus was for Shapely Girl?
This is very simple, I saw and heard a need for larger and plus size women to have a place where they could feel safe, comfortable and not worry about anything but getting fit and healthy. They needed an environment where they could not be judged by the size they are and have a workout and community that they could call their own. The Shapelygirl fitness vision was then born and we are on the move every since.
How did you translate your experiences into Shapely Girl, and what makes Shapely Girl so unique?
ShapelyGirl Fitness is unique because it combines a physical, low-impact, safe and fun workout with an instructor who understands them and the struggles they go through, who has the same issues and can relate to larger women. Again, I personally was in many of their shoes for years as I weighed over 300 pounds myself. I started to workout at that weight and have been doing it ever since. It has been one of the KEYS TO MY SUCCESS. I want women to start to move their bodies and stop this unhealthy culture we have of DIETING. I teach my girls that Shapelygirl fitness is a about a Lifestyle change that happens over time with dedication, commitment and never giving up.
The message is that Fitness Comes in Many Sizes- which I love by the way, how did you come up with this on point message?
That came to me one day while I was teaching a class to the general public and was planning the ShapelyGirl fitness class in my head. Sure, I said I am a size 12 and very fit and healthy, There are other women who are over a size 8 who do not consider themselves fit because this society still thinks that only skinny and thin women are fit, well I will change all of that with my message that yes FITNESS COMES IN MANY SIZES.I have been preaching it ever since and it has really changed the lives of a lot of women and made them feel better about their bodies and themselves in general. You can be a size 12 or 14 and be fit.
I noticed that you have some special credentials behind your name. What are they and what do they mean?
Well, for one I am the President/Ceo of ShapelyGirl fitness and started the company with a thought, lots of passion for helping large women get fit and feel terrific and perserverence to see it grow and become very successful. As far as my education is concerned, I have a background in education, and a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology. I am also a certified trainer and sports nutrition specialist. 
Where can we enjoy your workout sessions?
I am located in the Philadelphia Pa area and have classes and workshops in the area. And if I am not in town? I also have the Shapelygirl fitness DVD series consisting of LET’S GET MOVING!, LET’S GET MOVING! WITH WEIGHTS, LET’S GET STEPPING AND THE NEW VIDEO IS WALKING FIT AND FABULOUS.
All can purchased on my website, Shapley Girl Fitness. I also have T-shirts and a Motivational CD out in the winter. All of the workouts are fun, save, easy to follow and very motivating and you will feel great after the workout is done, Debra Mazda promises this.
From a fashion perspective, was finding workout wear easy while you were losing weight?
When I was 325 pounds clothes in general were difficult to find as there were not the choices that women have today so I wore sweats and some old t-shirts, but that did not stop me as I was on mission to get fit and healthy. Today, I wear some gorgeous workout wear as I can pick off of the rack and it is great.
Do you find those options changing for the better?
Yes, today the choices are so much better, in fact, I am working with a designer to come up with a line of, gorgeous, sexy workout out wear for larger women as more larger women begin to workout and feel better about who they are. I think you should feel great while working out and losing weight. Get rid of those horrible sweat pants and men’s t-shirts and wear something stylish no matter what size or shape you are…
What is next for you and what are you currently working on?
Taking Shapelygirl fitness classes everywhere and training other women to teach the classes all over the country. I also have the Shapelygirl FIT AND FABULOUS KICKSTART TO WEIGHT LOSS cruise in January 2010. I am also preparing to shoot my next 2 videos in very early spring and the SHAPELYGIRL MOTIVATIONAL CD will be launching this December, 2009. Last by not least, I am finishing up th DEBRA MAZDA WEIGHT LOSS/NUTRITION PROGRAM.
Lastly, what does Curvy.Confident.Chic. mean to you?
The same thing that Shapelygirl does, passionate, positive and ready to take on the world. This women is moving towards better health and takes care of herself. She knows that she has lots to offer to those around her and he goal is to move forward in her world.
Thank you so much! It was a pleasure!
I thank you as it was my honor to give you and the reader a glimpse at my world. I can be reached at Shapley Girl Fitness or at debra@debramazda.com
Make sure you visit Miss Debra Mazda on Facebook too!
What do you think!?
Keep it Curvy.Confident.Chic.
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