Get inspired by Bethy Red, living the dream and her message of fitness beyond size

Interview with Bethy Red | Women’s Best Blog Read our interview and find out more about the Women’s Best teammate!

Name: Bethy Red

Location: Chicago, Illinois USA

Height: 5’5″ (165cm)

Birthday: 28th March 1997

Instagram: @bethyred

Can you share more about yourself and what you are doing? 

I am your average girl—living the dream, you know, an overworking college student. I started my Instagram with the hopes of becoming a model (didn’t work lol), so I shifted my focus towards fitness. I never saw someone to represent me in the industry so I decided to represent myself, and that’s how it all started. I’m seeing so many women relating to me and finding hope with what I do brings me joy, and I want people to know all that I do. 

When did your journey start? Was there a certain event or situation after which you decided you needed a change? 

The official time I started was June 2016 (June 24 is the first picture I took) so it was probably the end of May right after I graduated high school. It is a long story but it was a bad situation – I was constantly told to lose weight and that I would be SOOO pretty if I would lose weight. So I caved in, but I ended up gaining more weight because I didn’t know what I was doing. But in the process of my fitness journey I started to enjoy working out and just being active. I learned to appreciate my body and what it can do, so my new goal is to get strong.

We often see your workouts on Instagram, what does your weekly routine look like?

My weekly routine is working out 5 times a week; days are split Monday through Friday.

Monday- Legs (glute focus) (if time a 7-10 min ab workout) (if time because I usually spend 2 h at the gym)

Tuesday- Back; HIIT and finish with a 15-20 min cardio machine 

Wednesday- Heavy legs 

Thursday- Upperbody (Chest, Arms, Shoulders) + cardio (jump rope + cardio machine 20-30min)

Friday- Legs (glute focus) (if time abs 7-10 min)

If doing an extra day I just do cardio HIIT + cardio machine

How has fitness changed your life?

I think fitness helped me see that I am more than a number on a scale, a size. Because of fitness I stopped caring what other people think, and stopped comparing myself to others, stopped putting this unnecessary pressure to try to achieve this inexistent body. 

As a body positivity advocate and voice for plus-size women, what are you aiming to share with the world? 

My all-time goal is to erase this idea that fat = unhealthy. Lately, I’ve been getting comments like “what does this fat person know about fitness“. I want to show that size doesn’t have anything to do with fitness knowledge (since when has being fat become unknowledgeable too?). The all-time goal is fitness beyond size. 

Is there a message you have for young girls and women who are affected by a negative self-image?

Don’t let others’ insecurity and their narrow view on the world dim your light. YOU will NEVER please everybody—live your life for you and nobody else. If someone doesn’t like you that is a “them” problem, not a “you” problem, and the sooner you apply this the sooner you will be happier  

When it comes to fitness and health you are often confronted with prejudices. How do you handle them and what’s your message here?

I just ignore them. I live by this quote “bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey is better than sh**”.

Do you follow a specific diet? Also, what’s your favorite treat meal?

No, because I’m not in the best place in my life to be able to follow one, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody to follow. But with that said, I do try to eat as healthy as possible. When I do have a treat I usually go for the chocolate mousse cake (I buy at Whole Foods).

Fun question: Your favorite workout jam?

Fun fact: I actually started only listening to Christian music and “Another in the Fire” has been on repeat lately.

What Women’s Best nutrition and supplements do you use? When and why?

My top 2 are Amino & Energy before and during my workouts, and Whey Protein usually after workouts and sometimes as a meal replacement since I don’t eat enough during the day. I LOVEEEEEE the protein chocolate spread it’s; a) better than Nutella, b) it‘s HEALTHY, nutritious chocolate!! I also eat the protein bars since I’m always at work or anywhere but home and can’t really sit down and eat. I also have collagen (usually in my coffee) and vitamins in the morning.  

And what is your favorite Women’s Best collection, in what color and why?

Well, that’s tough because I kind of love everything. Based on what I wear the most, it’s the Power Collection because; a) I love the range of colors, b) it’s stretchy yet supportive at the same time. But if I had to pick one color it would beeeeeee……. Bleached Aqua. (All bright colors!)

Lastly, you decided to collab with Women’s Best. Why did you choose to be part of the community?

I was actually using Women’s Best products way before I started to collab with them. I loved them, so for me, it was an honor to be working with them. Also for them to pick me (where in this fitness industry a plus-size person isn’t accepted) told me a lot about them as a brand. Then I started working with them and started seeing what a great team they are – amazing people with amazing characters and work ethics.