'Plus-size doesn't mean lazy': Size 24 fitness fanatic who competes in half marathons and triathlons calls for society to stop labeling larger people as 'unhealthy or unmotivated'

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A plus-size athlete is hoping to change society's stereotypical perceptions about what a 'fit and healthy' person looks like by showing the world that anyone can embrace exercise, no matter what their shape or size.

In the past 11 years, Krista Henderson, 44, has competed in 20 races, including triathlons, half marathons and indoor rowing - while proudly wearing a size 24. 

And despite her voluptuous physique, the sporting enthusiast, from Toronto, Canada, has bagged a number of awards, even winning her age group in Canada's MultiSport series 2009. 

Breaking down barriers: Krista Henderson, 44, wants to prove to the world that anyone can embrace exercise, no matter what their shape or size

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Winner: The size 24 athlete, who is from Toronto, Canada, has competed in 20 races since 2004, including triathlons (pictured), half marathons and indoor rowing

Her accolades have even led to a sponsorship dear with sportswear brand Katie K Active.

On her website, Born to Reign Athletics, through which she provides other plus size women with help and advice on how to get fit and active, Krista explains that she first began competing in various sporting events at the suggestion of her fitness trainer. 

'[Krista] began her athletic career in 2004 when her Fitness Director recommended she "train like an athlete", in response to her commitment of living an active and healthy lifestyle,' the website states. 

'This advice dramatically shifted Krista away from the diet and exercise mentality, where she constantly felt the need to "fix" herself by solely focusing on losing weight. 

'This fresh new approach set Krista on a path of changing the way she lived which resulted in becoming happier and healthier.'

Krista says that the first race she ever took part in was an incredible experience, and helped to fuel her desire to compete in more events. 

'The first race I ever did was great - I remember it started and I was in the water laughing uncontrollably, I couldn't believe I was doing it,' she explained.

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Spokeswoman: Krista's numerous sporting achievements have helped her to land a sponsorship deal with active-wear brand Katie K active

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New focus: On her website, Krista explains that her decision to start 'training like an athlete' helped her to focus on leading a healthy, active lifestyle, rather than purely concentrating on losing weight

'I was in a mind-set to challenge myself and prove to others that just because I am plus-size doesn't mean I'm lazy.

'When people see a plus-size person, they think lazy and unmotivated, but they shouldn't judge - they don't know what else is going on.

'I'm trying to redefine the before and after. I used to be inactive and now I'm the opposite. It's redefining the transformation.

'My body shape has changed and my endurance is much higher - I'm stronger and my stress levels have reduced.

'Weighing less makes it easy but what I have learnt is that by focusing on number of scale it backfires.'

Indeed, just one year after tenacious Krista changed her focus from losing weight, to 'training like an athlete' and hired a coach to increase her fitness, she returned to her first race course and knocked 20 minutes off her time without any weight change.

She added: 'It was amazing to see how the training built up.

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Great experience: 'The first race I ever did was great - I remember it started and I was in the water laughing uncontrollably, I couldn't believe I was doing it,' Krista said of her first event

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Offering support: Krista wants to show other plus-size women that they can embrace fitness and exercise without having to worry about a number on a scale

'I went from feeling completely dead to doing back to back weekends, in one month I completed three races - it's addictive.

'When I won my age group, it spoke of my endurance as I wasn't the fastest so I had to win it on frequency.

'There's a secret fun to take first place when you don't look the same size as the others around you.'

Krista hopes that her blog will help to unity plus-size athletes and encourage women to look past the traditional beauty standards.

She said: 'It's a weight neutral site so we don't talk about weight, it's just to do with athletics.

'There is a growing group of plus-size athletes. I think there needs to be more diverse bodies, you need to have people of all shapes and size represented.

'Women often feel like they have to fix something, the message I want to get out is that you have everything you need.

'There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve but you can't worry about what people think. Everything you do, you need to do it for yourself.' 

Source: Daily Mail