Body confidence 1

Five small Words

When I was about 13 years old my Nan came to stay for the weekend. She still enjoyed her tea served in a cup and saucer ‘it didn’t taste the same in a mug’

I was charged with carefully carrying the cup and saucer through to her as she sat perched on the dining room chair watching the wrestling, her favourite.

I received a big toothless grin as she took her cup. I loved my Nan; she was funny, sang songs and loved playing games, my kinda gal. She was also a very strong headed lady who spoke her mind and as I walked away from the tea delivery, instead of receiving a thanks her immortal words ‘Haven’t you got big thighs?!’ rang out across the room.

I was crushed.

Any self confidence I did have for my body I allowed to be crushed in that moment with those words. And for over 20 years those words echoed in my ears. They prevented me from happily swimming with the children, sunbathing freely on holidays and made shopping for clothes an utter nightmare. Five simple small words stopped me from enjoying myself and seeing me as I really am. (Of course I’m only talking about me here no-one else has ever felt or experienced anything like this…have they??)

A while back though I decided enough was enough, I had to erase these words for good. I wanted to strut my stuff.

My first step was ACCEPTANCE. Until this point I had been beating myself up, expecting to have Kylie Minogue’s small bum and Julia Robert’s long legs. As beautiful as both are that is just not my body shape. Once I had fully accepted this…my body….me, I began to like what I do have rather than mourn what I didn’t.

This enabled me to take step two. I had now accepted that I had my own shape, I just needed to find out what suited me. Fashion isn’t about fitting the cat walk waif styles; it’s about the discovery of what flatters your body. And every-body is different, take the time to find out what really suits you and you will feel so much better.

And finally I changed my views on the body beautiful. Having a slimmer body is more about my health and vitality now than being a size 0. I want to live for a long time and to do that I have to eat well and look after myself. I now have more energy and body confidence than ever and you can too!!!