Tied in a Bow January 2015 | Page 54

I have taken this in hand, started to eat more sensibly, cut back on the wine (weekends only), and tried to get out more and exercise. Not the gym bunny kind, just more walking in a sedate mid-40s way.

But this got me thinking—would I feel under pressure to lose weight for my wedding day? I have friends getting married this year, who feel under enormous strain to lose a few pounds to get the perfect fit in their gorgeous gowns. But should we feel like this? Hasn’t media put us all under the spotlight, making us feel that we have to lose weight?

I am a strong believer in we are who we are. If a relationship has grown and developed, then we are still the same people, regardless of a few extra inches. There is a huge difference between sensible eating and shifting a couple of extra pounds because it makes a difference to our self-esteem, and all these crash diets I keep having flung in my face. Plus all the other ways in which we can tighten and tone, using body wraps, freezing fat cells, lifts, etc.

Can we not just be allowed to embrace ourselves as we are? I would rather see a healthy size 18 than a bride who has shrunk to a 10 because she felt she had to! We as the media are accountable, magazines using size 8-10 models, airbrushing, etc. When will it all stop?

Wedding days are stressful enough, and that is not the way it should be. Yes I understand we all want to look our best; we want to be ‘picture perfect’ but this is individual to ourselves. If we are happy being a size 20, then fantastic! And there are plenty of ladies out there who are a size 6 and struggle for a variety of reasons to put weight on, but where are they reflected in the media?

I am trying to say that if he/she loves you, then just be yourself! When you were proposed to, it was not on the condition that you lost/put on weight. It was unconditional, based on love! Beauty comes from within, and we all shine in our own way. Be happy, but most importantly, be you!

o you get fed up of seeing articles, adverts, and promotions for weight loss? I do! We are who we are. We all know that with healthy eating and fitness we can live a better life. I used to be addicted to the gym, horse riding, cycling, everything and anything, but since an accident 15 years ago I had to change my regimen. But age is taking its toll, and the dreaded midriff overspill is occurring. This should not be happening; I am the same age as Kylie ‘Hotpants’ Minogue!

D

What You

See

is What You

Get

by

Tina

Reading

54