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Jen Ben

@jenbensews

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😅 Trying too hard since 1984 ✊🏽BLM 🏳️‍🌈🙋🏻‍♀️
🥄 Living with AuDHD, GAD, T2D 🇨🇦Waterloo, ON
Current hobbies: Books, Gym, Cooking, Heated Rivalry

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This morning I ran the Waterloo Classic 3K!

I joined some colleagues who were doing the 10K to raise money for student athletics programs—but I chose the 3K because it started at the same time and let me keep my focus on what I love most: strength training. That’s been my priority for the past year, and it brings me joy, confidence, and power.

🌟 I ran my race—and I’m proud. I beat my goal! 🌟

As an autistic person, being moderate with my energy and attention is hard. But I’m really proud that I stayed grounded in what matters most to me: supporting my health, avoiding injury, and getting stronger.

I kept lifting. I kept going to HIIT. I stayed consistent. And I found a way to make running fit without compromising what works for me.

And beyond the finish line, I did something hard and overwhelming: I showed up to a big public event, with a lot of people, and stayed present and calm. That matters just as much as the time—27:06—and maybe even more. (But yes, I am super pumped to have finished under 30 minutes!)

Big thanks to Pitbull for being 50% of any exercise playlist I make and this song (Summer by Calvin Harris) for starting all my runs this year! 🎶

Excited to see what my big, strong body does next. 💪

#WaterlooClassic #3K #AutisticAthlete #FatAthlete #ThisIsWhatStrengthLooksLike #StrongAndSensitive #JoyInMotion #FirstRace #RunningOver40 by @jenbensews

Matchy Matchy 🌺🩷🌸 doing yoga at the gym after our Sunday workout today. I had some medical stuff come up last year and so I started going to this gym to do group weight training in March 2024 and now I’ve been going four days a week for over a year! I only missed eight sessions the whole first year (due to illness or vacation.)

My main focus is consistency, but not overdoing it, and getting stronger while managing my health well. I enjoy throwing heavy things around the gym and the cardio challenges. The fact that I like it a lot really helps me stay committed as well as the fun group of people I get to work out with.

I’m pretty naturally athletic, but I’ve never been consistent long-term with one thing so this is a big win for me: to be this consistent at this frequency is something to celebrate. I usually get bored (ADHD) or burn myself out getting obsessed with things (Autism.)

I’m really excited when I can find gym clothes in my size that are fun colours and not just black!! Here are a few of my favourite outfits. ⬆️

My body has changed since I started working out, but that’s not a goal for me and I don’t pay that much attention to it except when I have to buy new pants. I’m not looking for any comments on my body, except if you wanna tell me that I look strong AF 💪 😂

Along with the gym, I’ve been walking a lot over the past year, and I am looking forward to figuring out how to add some other types of exercise in my routine as well because I do really like yoga, swimming, and barre too and I’ve done them a lot in the past.

So yea, that’s what I’ve been doing instead of sewing, along with reading ~140 books a year! I’m a woman of many talents.

K, bye 👋 🏋🏻‍♀️

#FunctionalTraining #HIIT #ChronicIllness #t2d #gad #audhd #adhd #autism #pcos #hypermobility …etc. #GymClothes #matchymatchy #strongAF #reeboknano #OldNavyActive #gapfit #athletica #40s #longevity #PlusSizeFitness #WomenWhoLift #StrengthTraining #bmat by @jenbensews

Hi Friends 👋 it’s me! With a grid post! About sewing! Whaaaaat!?

My body has been changing and I was already on a bit of a sewing time out so I’ve not finished a new garment in almost two years. (And not posted on my grid since)

Most of my me-mades have transitioned out of my wardrobe for now, but this dahlia-coloured Ashton top can be pried out of my cold dead hands since it’s, thankfully, still fitting somehow.

When I realized I was wearing a ME MADE in MAY at the garden centre, I knew I needed a photo to share. I’ve loved seeing everyone’s looks and I’ve been getting the sewing vibes again lately. Maybe time for me to restart something?

Did you miss meeeee??

Top: @helens__closet #AshtonTop in incredible @blackbirdfabrics viscose linen slub

Shorts are Old Navy OCG 5” shorts, love them!

#HandmadeWardrobe #IndiePatterns #b55w46h56 #CurvySewing #CanadaSews #OntarioSews #WaterlooSews #MillennialSewing #FatFashion #MeMade #MeMadeOnRepeat #ImNot2D #MidFatSewing #ThanksIMadeIt #YouCanHackIt #AshtonTop #AshtonTopHack #HelensCloset #HelensClosetPatterns #BlackbirdFabrics #LoveToSewPodcastBaby #bfviscoselinenslub #MeMadeMay #MeMadeMayFat #MeMadeMay2025 #MeMadeMayFat2025 #memademayplus by @jenbensews

One day in Niagara! Fruit stands galore and brewery stops plus some snacks. by @jenbensews

Day 5 on PEI - north shore drives, loved French River area, another lunch at Blue Mussel Cafe, before flying home.

#travel #travelpei #explorepei #travelcanada #frenchriver #northrustico #harbour #yyg by @jenbensews

Day 4: views and lighthouses, all day

#pei #tourismpei #explorepei #canada #travel #travelcanada #lighthouse by @jenbensews

PEI Day 3 - Green Gables and a celebration of the North Shore and PEI National Park!

#tourismpei #travelpei #travelcanada #explorecanada #explorepei #beaches #redsand #anneofgreengables #greengables #cavindish by @jenbensews

PEI day 2, very heavy on the Lighthouses and museums and farmland and sunsets

#tourismpei #travelpei #pei #travelcanada by @jenbensews

PEI Day 2
Rainy morning = museum day!
Checked the the Acadian, Potato, and West Point Lighthouse museums!

#wheninpei #travelpei #pei #tourismpei #canada #travelcanada #museums by @jenbensews

First 24 hours in PEI! Charlottetown market and waterfront, first lobster roll of this trip, then on to Malpeque for oysters, a drive along the north coast, then dinner in Victoria by the Sea, and the sunset from our temporary backyard! by @jenbensews

Camping and canoeing, summer 2023! #ontario #camping #summer #sunsets #grundylakeprovincialpark by @jenbensews

Hey, I’m back and in the garden with my new @cashmerette Franconia Dress! And I have thoughts!

The top of the bodice and sleeves are one piece - I was unsure how the fit would be but it’s good! Cashmerette’s G/H cup options are really nice to have for a large chested person like me! I know they’ve considered the fit for a bigger bust in their drafting which is not always a guarantee!

I am surprised how much I’m loving the fabric, the colour and drape both look lovely! @blackbirdfabrics

In my last post, I shared some details about my version of this new Cashmerette Club pattern. Working on a short timeline, I didn’t make a toile or as many mods as I normally would have done.

Next time I’d make a number of changes for a better fit:
- I shirred the back a bit too tight, and fixed it for the front. I’d do the same fix next time
- I’d do a hollow chest adjustment and remove around 1”; I’ve done this before on a scoop neck top, this is a normal mod for me.
- I’d lengthen the bodice by 1.5” I could only make this sit well over my bust wearing a “real” bra and post-panini that is a big ask!
- shorten the waistband vertically by 1.5” I think it would suit my proportions better, especially in the back, since I’m so short waisted.
- I feel like the sleeve is a bit long, so I’d shorten the sleeve ~1”

I originally thought that this pattern was made for summer sundresses, but I would personally probably only make another version for Fall or Winter. I don’t like the close-cropped waist in my summer clothes since it’s hot and I’m a sweaty baby. 🥵

For me, this one isn’t as repeatable as other dress patterns. I prefer to make dresses that I can wear in all seasons, where possible.

Why about you? Do you have a totally different summer and winter wardrobe, or do you wear similar things all year, just adding or removing layers as needed?

#IndiePatterns #CurvySewing #SewistsOfInstagram #YouCanHackIt #BlackbirdFabrics #bfcotton #Cashmerette #FranconiaDress #CashmeretteClub by @jenbensews