Being Brave…

I decided to start writing again, even before I came up with a title for this post. Not really sure what I want to say and where this post or blog is even going…so much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same since I started this blog so many years ago.

I know it’s time to change the name, that’s for sure…why? Well, I’m still fluffy ☺️ and while the journey has continued it has moved from weight-loss, to acceptance of who I am to unconditional love of who and where I am on this journey of life, well most of the time!

Yes, there are times that I want to weigh less, truth is, I am more concerned about my health and how I feel, than fitting into that size 10. While that would also be great, it’s more important to me to be the best and healthiest version of me…which is not always easy for sure. I’ve learnt so much about me and seen the world change.

Maybe I’ll keep the name bye bye fluffy for a time longer as I continue on my journey of self acceptance, we all have those days of not loving ourselves enough or worse, comparing ourselves to others. So I’ve titled this post being brave as that’s what I’m doing by sharing glimpses of my inner journey with you…

Inspiring people….

During this journey towards the perfect weight (and for many people that term means very different things), I am encouraged and inspired by a very good friend of mine, someone who I would call a sister! Nina Blakemore is an international model, radio and tv presenter among a number of other things including being one of the most beautiful individuals I have every met. Nina’s beauty goes beyond what you see. One of the lessons that I am learning from her is to ignore the negative comments from people in regards to my weight or to be honest the ‘helpful’ comments…you know the ones where those under a size 10 feel that it is their duty to tell you what you need to do…Anyway, I wanted to share with you a little about Nina and I asked her to write something for the blog….her journey inspires me and her positive body image encourages me to love me as I am even while I’m losing weight.

Nina touches briefly on some of the issues that impacted and still impact her, if you want to know more please add your questions in the comment section…thanks for tuning in!!!

         

My name is Nina Blakemore and I have worked as a curve model for nearly 20 years now. I started off as a straight size model all those years ago but could never maintain a size 8 figure. Unfortunately, I developed an eating disorder but managed to get it under control. Now, I work closely with B-eat, the eating disorder charity in the UK. I go into Schools and Colleges and talk about body image and help young people who are in the same position I was. I tell them all about my career and the fact that I have worked more as a size 18 model than I ever did as an 8. My work has taken me all over the World. I have met some amazing people and visited some beautiful places. I have taken part in some awesome photoshoots, catwalk shows and appeared in numerous tv shows, my main goal is to always promote a healthy body image. I am proud of my curves and truly believe that you don’t have to be a size zero to be gorgeous.

I now work as a curve ambassador and believe all women are beautiful no matter what shape or size. I still model but am moving more into presenting and am really happy to be accepted for the size that I am now which is no mean feat in the media World! I definitely think opinions are changing, yes, I am always going to get negative comments, I have had to listen to them all my life but finally, at the age of 37 I am proud to say that I am learning to love my body. We all have good days and bad. I have always carried weight on my bottom half and have recently been diagnosed with lipoedema. I always knew there had to be a reason why I could never shift my bum and thighs like my top half but you know what, I am who I am. Good job my man loves a beautiful booty! 😉 I wish you all happiness and peace with your body 🙂

www.ninablakemore.com

www.lipoedema.co.uk

www.b-eat.co.uk

Helping hands….

So this week a good friend of mine, who religiously goes to the gym, yeah that’s so not me. Invited me to go to a free event being hosted by Chai Studios at Emancipation Park. The truth is I hate the gym, for lots and lots of different reasons. Including feeling fat – its a gym right so going there to lose the weight makes perfect sense. Well for me I seem to have an aversion to the gym, so agreeing to go to this event shocked even myself. I do want to stress that if the gym is your thing or if you like spinning or yoga or anything like that, you should check out Chai Studios…they are fabulous and have lots of choice.

Bye Bye Fluffy

A few years ago I was at a party and someone I respected made a comment about my weight. Comments about my weight weren’t new, a comment from this person was. Two weeks later I received the photo below: