Baker's Choice Highlight: Emily Aviles, KFKF Ambassador and Queen of Taking Up Space

"Hi! My name is Emily Aviles. I’m a 31-year-old Salvadoraña from Van Nuys, California. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always struggled with my body image. At every family gathering, the conversation always seemed to focus on our bodies —how much we weighed, how we looked, and what we wanted to change.

Health fads and crash diets were a part of the culture, and I watched my mom and my tías pick apart their own bodies. Somehow, it always led to me being reminded on how I was bigger and different.

I believed that if I became smaller, it would magically solve all of my problems. But all it did was change the conversation to, “Omg, mija, you lost the weight! Now, time to remove your skin!”

That’s when I realized I’d be stuck on this endless roller coaster, constantly finding new flaws and chasing ways to make my body more acceptable to others. 

But here’s the truth: our diversity is what makes us who we are. No, I’m not a size 0 or small. I’m a size 8, XL. I weigh 165 lbs with cellulite on my thighs, and my stomach isn’t flat—it’s full of stretch marks and loose skin. I nourish my body and enjoy my cultural foods. Most importantly, I lift because it makes me feel powerful and strong. That’s what being Kinda Fit Kinda Fat means to me. There’s absolutely no need to bend or break yourself to fit society’s standards. We deserve to take up all the space!" - Emily Aviles

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Want to follow Emily's journey? Connect with her here! 

Hungry for more? Read more from the KFKF Community here!

Want to share your journey and be featured as a Baker's Choice Highlight? Email: monica@kindafitkindafat.com

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