The Big Beautiful Women - Octamedia Productions

In a society fixated on weight loss, a growing number of women are embracing their bodies and championing the pro-fat acceptance movement. These women proudly reject conventional beauty standards and advocate for body acceptance and fitness at any size.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, this movement is making waves with various fitness and artistic groups celebrating body diversity. From fitness training and burlesque shows to hip-hop dancing and synchronized swimming, they challenge stereotypes and showcase the vibrant lives of women who defy traditional expectations.

These Beautiful Big Women (BBW) are leading the charge to reshape societal views on fatness and promote a more inclusive understanding of beauty and strength.

Notable figures in this movement include Marilyn Wann, Marina Wolf, Heather MacAllister, Shirley Sheffield, and Jennifer Portnick. These Beautiful Big Women (BBW) are leading the charge to reshape societal views on fatness and promote a more inclusive understanding of beauty and strength.

The Padded Lilies, a fat women\'s synchronized swim team.The PL is made of volunteers who perform at various events and aim at promoting the pro-fat acceptance movement.

Patrons of all sizes enjoy dancing and partying at the Big Boogie Nights, a nightclub event opened to all fat people who do not feel confortable going to regular nightclubs. Big Boogie Nights describe itself as \"where the big beautiful people love to party\".

Marilyn Wann, famous fat rights activist and author of the book, \"FAT!SO? -- Because You Don\'t Have to Apologize for Your Size!\". In 2000, her fat rights activism was instrumental in obtaining passage of a height/weight anti-discrimination law in San Francisco, California -- only the fourth U.S. jurisdiction to offer such legal protection. Wann is an activist for the pro-fat acceptance movement.

Miryana Colton, a member of the Padded Lilies, a fat women\'s synchronized swim team.The PL is made of volunteers who perform at various events and aim at promoting the pro-fat acceptance movement.

Shirley Sheffield, co-founder of the Padded Lilies, a fat women\'s synchronized swim team.The PL is made of volunteers who perform at various events and aim at promoting the pro-fat acceptance movement.

Fitness instructor Jennifer Portnick during her class.Jennifer Portnick, 38, might be a fat aerobics instructor but she is definitely fit. Portnick, who weights 240 pounds (108 kgs) and measures 5 feet 8 (176 cms), has been doing high-impact aerobics for 15 years and follows a diet that is mostly vegetarian. She is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and teaches several high-energy, low-impact classes a week. She has her own program called ìFeeling Good Fitnessî.

Performers during the Fat-Bottom Revue, a burlesque show featuring fat artists in a mixture of classic stripper-jazz numbers and erotic comedy. The show is produced by Big Moves, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that promotes size diversity in the dance world.

Sondra Solovay (L) and Marilyn Wann, members of the Bod Squad, a group of cheerleaders composed of fat women who perform in public to promote the pro-fat acceptance movement.

During a rehearsal session of the Phat Fly Girls, a hip hop performing ensemble featuring fat dancers. The Phat Fly Girls shows are produced by Big Moves, the only service organization in the world dedicated to promoting size diversity in dance.

From L to R are Sondra Solovay, Marilyn Wann and Heather MacAllister, members of the Bod Squad, a group of cheerleaders composed of fat women who perform in public to promote the pro-fat acceptance movement.

From L to R are Marilyn Wann, Heather MacAllister and Sondra Solovay, members of the Bod Squad, a group of cheerleaders composed of fat women who perform in public to promote the pro-fat acceptance movement.

Carol Squires warming up before a rehearsal session of the Phat Fly Girls, a hip hop performing ensemble featuring fat dancers. The Phat Fly Girls shows are produced by Big Moves, the only service organization in the world dedicated to promoting size diversity in dance.

Marina Wolf during a rehearsal session of the Phat Fly Girls, a hip hop performing ensemble featuring fat dancers. Wolf is founder and director of Big Moves, the only service organization in the world dedicated to promoting size diversity in dance.

Performers at the end of the Fat-Bottom Revue, a burlesque show featuring fat artists in a mixture of classic stripper-jazz numbers and erotic comedy. The show is produced by Big Moves, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that promotes size diversity in the dance world.

Heather MacAllister, better known as Ms. DeMeanor, during the Fat-Bottom Revue, a burlesque show featuring fat artists in a mixture of classic stripper-jazz numbers and erotic comedy. The show is produced by Big Moves, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that promotes size diversity in the dance world.

Heather MacAllister, better known as Ms. DeMeanor, (L) and Marina Wolf at the end of the Fat-Bottom Revue, a burlesque show featuring fat artists in a mixture of classic stripper-jazz numbers and erotic comedy. The show is produced by Big Moves, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that promotes size diversity in the dance world.

A party goer gobbling a jello portion made withTequila. Patrons of all sizes enjoy dancing and partying at the Big Boogie Nights, a nightclub event opened to all fat people who do not feel confortable going to regular nightclubs. Big Boogie Nights describe itself as \"where the big beautiful people love to party\".