Why Naomi Alderman wants you to run for your life

For the most part, we don't think about the creators of the apps we use and love. Try to imagine the creator of a wildly popular fitness app that has ripped millions off the couch, and you're probably not thinking of someone who is morbidly obese.

Naomi Alderman is many things. She is an athlete, an award winning author, and the amazing face behind “Zombies, run!” an app that encourages you to get out there and get fit through playing her game. She's also fat, and even though she works out regularly, she doesn't lose weight through exercise 

She shares her story on Matter, a flagship publication for Medium. She talks about how some people have mocked her for being fat, but many, many more have barely noticed.

Naomi herself has come a long way, from a person who hated exercising, to someone who has discovered how fun it can be. Her app was created out of frustration, because it felt like every fitness app was made for people who were already there—people who could already run, leap, and go for long distances.

She expresses this frustration by having one of the characters say, “If you can move above a slow shamble, we can use you.” 

 Zombies, Run! Is special not just because it embraces everybody, but also because—well, it's fun. Walking or running is about as fun as watching paint dry if you're on a treadmill, and even outdoors isn't always great if the weather is poor. The app makes it more fun, helping you to adjust your pace to win prizes and because...well...Zombies! Run!

Naomi is still overweight, but she has learned to love her body, and she learned to do so through exercise. Her app, and her self image, have nothing to do with her weight. If you've ever struggled with body image issues, it's wonderful to know there are people like Naomi out there who have learned to enjoy a fitter, healthier body, in any size.