Body Empowerment - Q1 - Mar 2019

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Body Empowerment MEGAN JAYNE CRABBE “You are not flawed. Your body is not the problem. A culture that’s taught you to see your body as flawed is the problem.” » p2 JAMEELA JAMIL “We all have to stop worrying about what we look like on the outside by chasing unattainable, unrealistic expectations of weight and beauty.” » p6

Bodykind Festival, May 3rd & 4th 2019, Totnes, Devon www.bodykindfestival.com

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Q&A: With body positive author, @BodyPosiPanda

MEGAN CRABBE @bodyposipanda

Megan Jayne Crabbe is known on social media as @BodyPosiPanda, with over a million followers on Instagram. She’s an eating disorder recovery advocate, anti-diet enthusiast, and believer in intersectional body positivity. Her number one, bestselling debut book – Body Positive Power: Because Life Is Already Happening and You Don’t Need Flat Abs to Live It – has taught thousands of women how to stop dieting and make peace with their bodies for good.

What do you think are the main obstacles preventing people from being confident in their bodies?

The fact that we’ve been taught to see our bodies as problems since the moment we were old enough to be influenced by the culture around us! Most of us are carrying around a lifetime of conditioning about our bodies being flawed, about fat being something to fear, and about our worth as humans depending on how our bodies look.

Diet culture and fatphobia are all around us, selling us products from billboards, magazines – and now our phone screens – that promise to bring us happiness by changing our bodies.

Everywhere you look in the media certain body types are demonised while others are held up as the only way to be good enough, desirable or successful. And, actually, I think the biggest obstacle is that we're still not seeing those messages for what they are: lies.

We still believe that hating our bodies is just the norm and is largely our fault, when really, this cultural body dissatisfaction is something that’s been done to us over the course of our lives, and something that we can rebel against.

How are you using your voice on social media to help people with self-acceptance?

I talk a lot about why we hate our bodies and how to unlearn that conditioning and actually rebel against diet culture! I also believe that there is so much power in seeing someone

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existing unapologetically in a body that perhaps you’ve spent your life apologising for.

As someone who’s come from a history of anorexia and now exists happily in a size 16, I hope that I’m giving others like me the representation that I never saw growing up.

What motivates you to continue being so supportive towards the body-positive community?

I’m constantly reminded that there is still so much work to do in spreading this message.

Whether that’s hearing a teenager say that they can’t leave the house because they feel their body is so disgusting, or seeing another fatphobic article or brand campaign online that normalises prejudice or disordered eating.

The body positive movement won’t be done until absolutely all bodies – all shapes, sizes, skin colours, genders, ages and abilities – are treated with the respect that they’re deserving of, and we're really just getting started on that.

What advice would you give to people who are struggling with body confidence?

I think that the first step to healing your relationship with your body has to be realising that how you feel about your body was never your fault to begin with. You are not flawed.

Your body is not the problem. A culture that’s taught you to see your body as flawed is the problem.

Think back to the very first time you

thought that your body was wrong, which for me was when I was a child. Did you deserve to feel that way? Does any fiveyear-old deserve to believe that they are worth less as a person because of how their body looks? Of course not.

Which means that you don’t deserve to feel this way now either.

Recognise that you deserve better, and always have, then go fill your life up with the body positivity that should have been there all along.

Read more at globalcause.co.uk

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Why wellbeing is better than weight loss Byline: Gina Clarke

With a focus on a fast-paced lifestyle, experts agree that too many of us are concentrating on our diets and not on our wellbeing.

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ith heightened focus on diet and health in the media, you would think that nutritionist and LINWOODS health food ambassador Jenna Hope would be happy that people are educating themselves. But she’s worried that we’re following fad diets without realising the potential consequences. From fast-food and hunched lunches to the gym squad and the rise of veganism, Jenna worries that these behaviours can pose a risk of nutritional problems.

She says, “People may not always be aware of their nutrient deficiencies, especially if they’re cutting out large food groups from their diet. Ensuring you are nutritionally replete can transform everything from our mood and sleeping patterns, to our hormones.”

Historical properties Jenna explains that although

nowadays people are looking to nutrition to optimise their health rather than prevent disease, the trick is incorporating them into our daily lives. She says, I encourage my clients to build up their fruit and vegetable intake by increasing one portion per day. I’m also a fan of the LINWOODS product range which contains a variety of nutrients including omega-3, fibre and iron, and can be added to porridge, smoothies and yoghurt. “I say to my clients that if they can add one extra piece of fruit or vegetable a day then they can build it up and something else can be added. LINWOODS allows you to easily add superfoods such as nutrient rich milled flaxseed to your breakfast which means you’re adding to your daily allowance without realising. LINWOODS Milled Flaxseed with Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Co-Enzyme Q10 is one of the few foods that provides a high

People may not always be aware of their nutrient deficiencies, especially if they’re cutting out large food groups from their diet. Ensuring you are nutritionally replete can transform everything from our mood and sleeping patterns, to our hormones.” percentage of your reference intake of magnesium and selenium in one serving. The addition of CoQ10 offers many benefits such as added energy, digestive power, cell maintenance and antioxidants.”

But it’s not just nutritionists who are advocating the use of nutrients, the government does too. It suggests that we all need extra vitamin D during the colder months. Important for hormone production, mood and energy levels, taking supplements and vitamins when needed ensures that our bodies stay on a natural cycle.

Rise of faddy diets Jenna worries that some of the latest diet trends could be sapping people of essential nutrients. In the spotlight is veganism, something Jenna believes people need to understand more about. She says, “B12 is very difficult to replace naturally and vegans are often encouraged to supplement this nutrient. It’s the same with calcium, this can be replaced by lots of green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds – or you could choose something like LINWOODS’ Hemp Protein+ to supplement the nutrients you’ve cut out. Protein is essential to help maintain muscle mass, prevent blood vessel problems and has the added benefit of being an anti-inflammatory.

People are often driven by weight when it comes to nutrition and diet although they need to be aware of some of the nutritional risks.

JENNA HOPE Nutritionist (ANUTR), LINWOODS

Another worrying trend is the rise of people taking fitness to extreme levels. Jenna explains, “In the 2000s we had the trend of size zero, but right now it’s strong is beautiful. While it’s a worthwhile message, some have taken it to the extreme. It’s important to note that it’s not natural for the female body to have a very low body fat percentage. It can risk harm to a woman’s reproductive system by delaying periods and affecting bone density if their weight drops under a certain level.”

Afraid of intolerances Despite the various trends, today there is more knowledge about how our bodies work than ever before.

That’s why many of Jenna’s clients believe they have an intolerance.

Gut reactions to today’s fast living make up a huge proportion of our aches and pains, but when Jenna sits down with them she often finds that it’s not just the food they are eating – but how they are eating it that is affecting their ability to metabolise food. She says, “Some people find themselves snatching a sandwich and eating it on the run, others won’t pay attention to what they’re eating if they’re hunched over a desk. This stops our brain sending important signals which tells our mouth to release saliva and our stomachs to produce enough enzymes to break down the food.

This can irritate both the gut and the bowel, yet clients don’t realise and think it’s the type of food when it can be just the way they’re eating it.

While the emphasis on diets, intolerances and weight is important, for Jenna it’s also about how we can use knowledge of food and mindfulness techniques such as reflection and gratitude, to feel as well as we can on the inside.

Jenna is working with

LINWOODS to debunk dieting myths, highlight the benefits of the right nutrition and provide easy steps to incorporate the right nutrient levels into your diet.

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LINWOODS LINWOODS seed blends are the perfect additions to the daily diet, providing a quick and easy way to increase your fibre, protein and vitamin intake - ensuring each mealtime is bursting with goodness.

LINWOODS products can be easily integrated into the daily diet, enabling you to make simple steps to improve your wellbeing from the inside out. From snacks to eat on the go, natural powders for a protein kick and its flagship seeds packed with nutrients to sprinkle on your porridge, salads and soups, the full LINWOODS range allows you to take steps towards healthier lifestyle.

LINWOODS products are widely available from all leading supermarkets, Holland & Barrett and all good independent health food stores and online retailers including Ocado, Amazon and linwoodshealthfoods.com/uk

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Celebrating plus size women

CREDIT: CARLOSDAVID.ORG

Founder and Director of The Curve Fashion Festival, Zoe Ellis, talks about the challenges faced by plus sized ladies, and why we should celebrate our curves.

When did you recognise the need for events like The Curve Fashion Festival?

While working as a plus size stylist, I realised plus size women couldn’t walk into any city centre or shopping centre and have dozens of shops to cater for them like a smaller size woman can. I decided to create The Curve Fashion Festival (TCFF) to bring retailers and customers together and allow them to shop directly.

How do you think they help people to feel more confident?

TCFF is a safe space for people.

When women come here they know that the retailers will have their sizes; that the models on the catwalk represent them and then panel discussions are targeted to them directly. It’s a full day that is created to inspire and give confidence to everyone who walks through the doors and to be part of what is an incredible community.

ZOE ELLIS Founder & Director, The Curve Fashion Festival

What do you think the fashion industry needs to do to improve their inclusivity of all body types?

There is still a long way to go, however inclusivity has grown so much in just the past three years and I think the power of social and mainstream media will continue to enhance that. It isn’t a difficult task for the fashion industry; make collections that are not restricted with sizes, include plus size women on catwalks and in campaigns and acknowledge that the industry’s interpretation of a plus size model is often not the same as a plus size woman.

What advice would you give to people looking to make a difference like you have?

To even want to make a difference is already a big step. Find your message and surround yourself with likeminded people. Work together to create something that is special to your audience; understand them and constantly work at it.

Read more at globalcause.co.uk

Male body empowerment STEVIE BLAINE Bopo Boy

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eing male comes with a huge amount of privilege within our society, that goes without saying. However, men are still subjected to the same high standards of beauty that women are. Men are expected to be strong, masculine, broad shouldered, have a six pack and a perfectly chiselled jawline.

But what if you don’t fit into the definition that society so unhelpfully sets out for you?

Well, you feel exactly as I felt for the majority of my life; that you don’t belong, that your body is the problem; that you are the problem.

It isn’t just these expectations of beauty that men have to deal with. We also have the crushing, ingrained, toxic masculinity that exists within our society. This results in a horrendous cocktail of low body image and self-worth, which is ultimately damaging for our mental wellbeing.

Catch 22: Acknowledging our insecurities is deemed emasculating Women often discuss their body image

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insecurities. Men, on the other hand, are afraid to speak out about their body hang-ups because even acknowledging them is deemed emasculating. We’re pushed into the ‘man box’ and forced to be strong and never show our emotions, so even discussing these things makes us vulnerable.

Growing up, there was no one who looked like me, so I spent years of my life trying to force myself into society’s idea of what it means to be a man. This is why I started the @bopo.boy Instagram account to break the mould. I decided to be the role model I so badly needed when I was a kid. To show people like me – who don’t look like the cover of Men’s Health – that it’s ok that beauty doesn’t come in one form.

Beauty is in all of us; it exists in our differences.

Read more at globalcause.co.uk

Katie Piper: why comparing ourselves to others is futile Byline: Tony Greenway

KATIE PIPER TV Presenter, Author and Philanthropist

Constantly comparing your body and looks with others is a waste of time and energy, says Katie Piper. Try self-acceptance instead — it’s the first step on the road to body empowerment.

I write lists: what’s good about me, what’s bad about me, my successes, my failures; and setting it all out in a journal really helped me believe it.”

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ody empowerment starts with being yourself and accepting who you are, says Katie Piper, author, speaker, TV presenter, charity founder, and former Strictly contestant. She admits that’s not always easy in our frantic social media age, where people constantly compare their bodies to others’ and have fixed ideas about perceptions of beauty.

“We share more and more on social media platforms these days,” she says. “So we see more and more bodies — and photoshopped ones, as well — so, sadly, I think comparison is a big issue. Sometimes, the things people are envious of don’t exist anyway; often there’s a lot of facade out there.

When it comes to the images we’re bombarded with every day, we have to understand what’s real and what’s not real.

Getting a handle on that is a lot healthier, I think, because comparison is the thief of joy.

It keeps you being very busy doing nothing at all while everyone else is getting on with their lives. And it doesn’t change anything.”

Using social media in a positive way While she believes that social media can be a force for good, she’s also concerned that it can negatively impact young people. “We’re all on social media for work and socialising and we can all be vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy,” says Katie. “Maybe older people are more equipped to deal with those feelings whereas, if you’re slightly younger, you might not be. If you follow lots of accounts that are going to motivate and inspire you and give you a more balanced view on life and appearance, then social media is a good tool. But if you’re

going to follow ones that manipulate you and leave you with low self-worth, then that can be very negative.”

In 2018, Katie started an inspirational podcast called Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People to help people who are dealing with crisis of confidence issues. “I get a lot of people messaging me asking for help with low selfesteem,” she says. “Also, at the other end of the scale, I get people wanting to share their stories about how they overcame adversity. I wanted to give them a platform, and hopefully their life lessons will benefit and impact people who are struggling. The stories on the podcast make me cry, make me laugh and I’ve always come away feeling very reflective.”

Writing down your successes and failures She also released a self-help book last year called, Confidence: The Journal, which aims to get people to think positively and find selffulfillment. She keeps a personal journal, too.

“I found self-acceptance through journaling,” admits Katie. “I’m quite a visual person, so I need to write things down. I write lists: what’s good about me, what’s bad about me, my successes, my failures; and setting it all out in a journal really helped me believe it. If you write down when things go wrong and when things go well, you can see the patterns and learn how to repeat them — or not. I advise everyone to get a journal.”

If anyone knows about dealing with trauma and adversity, it’s Katie. “What empowers me is realising the fragility of life and how health isn’t a given thing,” she says. “It’s a luxury we all have — and if we have it, we’re very fortunate. To hate your body when you are able and living is a waste.”

Headshot credit: Dan Kennedy

Read more at globalcause.co.uk MEDIAPLANET

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Got scars, stretch marks or skin problems? Own them!

Byline: Gina Clarke

Our bodies are often a road map for the journey that has gone before. But not everyone is comfortable with that. Whether it’s scars, stretch marks or pigmentation, we are often looking for ways to cover up.

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y the time she turned 40, aesthetic nurse practitioner, Peggy Stringer, had heard every name under the sun for her rosacea. Until then, the rosy cheeks of her childhood hadnt’t bothered her, but with the arrival of her fourth child came a dramatic change in her skin and she felt she had to do something.

With a background in mental health and palliative care, Peggy knew that she could help people not only to adapt or eliminate their skin concerns, but also come to terms with their issues.

Some people are disappointed by the way their bodies have changed Self-acceptance and loving the skin you’re in may be well-worn phrases now, but that hasn’t stopped the influx of patients coming through Peggy’s door over the last 20 years.

From mothers wanting to get rid of their stretch marks to scarring and rosacea sufferers like herself, Peggy makes sure that she always advises them on the correct course of treatment specific to their unique circumstances. This can sometimes mean recommending they use skincare products such as Re-Gen Oil or undergoing laser treatment. However, she always makes sure the recommended treatment includes a good dollop of self-acceptance.

Peggy says: “When someone comes to see me, we always get to the root of the problem. Maybe it’s not the fact that they have stretch marks, maybe they are just disappointed at the changes in their body that make them embarrassed to wear a bikini.

While we talk about the end result, I’m always honest about the type of treatments we offer, but I also try

and make them see that their body is nothing to be ashamed of.

“Our scars and stretch marks tell our stories, from the life we created to the weight we have lost or gained. And with today’s image conscious society it’s hard to embrace that.”

Laser treatment seen as “a last resort” Peggy had been working with laser treatments when they first came to Ireland, but many of her customers still see it as a last resort. She says, “We have patients who come in who are desperate to see their flaws disappear, but they are worried about laser treatments. I take steps to implement follow-ups so I can not only monitor their results, but also keep an eye on their mental wellness.

“I do get a lot of appreciation from people who I’ve helped

PEGGY STRINGER Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

mentally because when they use products such as Re-Gen Oil, they can really notice the difference.

Whether it’s their stretch marks fading or a plumpness of the skin, people who feel confident about their bodies and their experience are more likely to come back and tell me about their results.”

Owning up to the journey Peggy’s background in mental health means that, to her, looking good isn’t about being perfect, it’s about owning up to the journey that created our imperfections and accepting that there will be some lumps and bumps along the way.

Sponsored by

Read more at regenoil.co.uk

The Re-Gen range Re-Gen is a specialist treatment that effectively combats skin imperfections such as scars, stretch marks, blemishes and dry skin. The Re-Gen range includes a restorative face and body oil, an anti-ageing facial serum, a hydrating face and body cream and the newly launched Continuous Spray, which is created from the same clinically-approved formula as the popular Re-Gen Oil. The non-greasy skincare spray contains the active, regenerative ingredient PCL Liquid™, which protects skin from drying out and improves its natural elasticity leaving you with radiant looking skin.

The combination of floral fragrances, essential oils and vital vitamins helps to ensure the correct care for your skin.

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Struggling with Jameela Jamil: leading body image at the charge toward seven years old self-worth While many people still think body image struggles are a ‘women’s issue’, we know this is not the case and Leon, 41, from London, has joined us as a Be Real Ambassador to change the narrative. As a gay man he’s constantly confronted with ‘perfect bodies’ on the scene, but wants to make a change and champion the importance of body diversity.

“I was really young when I first started to struggle with my body image – just seven years old. I took up karate and even though I was very active sports-wise, I had some puppy fat and used to feel physically sick when we got changed in the changing rooms or I had to take off the top part of my kit when doing certain routines.

“My weight has fluctuated over the years from 10 stone when I was 18 to 20 stone when I was 24 years old.

“The biggest challenge was realising it was about me being happy with my image and not constantly comparing myself to others, whether I was too slim or whether I was not muscular enough. I realised you can’t fit everyone’s ideal.

“To help me feel more confident in my skin I looked at myself naked in the mirror to get used to my body, rather than taking other people’s images as the way I should look. I never used to feel comfortable getting changed in public changing rooms but, eventually, you realise everyone has some sort of hang-ups about their bodies, even if we think they are ‘perfect’.

“If I could say one thing to my younger self, I would tell him that as long as you are healthy then your body will reflect it. You might not have a six pack but don’t be so obsessed with everyone’s idea of perfect or ideal body shapes.

“It will be hard to eradicate negative body image, but I believe that the more different and real people are seen in the media, the more acceptable it will be that we don’t just focus on society’s idea of ‘perfect’.

LEON DAVIES Ambassador, YMCA’s Be Real Campaign

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Byline: Tony Greenway

When Jameela Jamil posted an Instagram picture of herself detailing her internal — rather than external — values, she began an online phenomenon promoting selfworth and body positivity.

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ameela Jamil is angry. You can hear it in her voice. A year or so ago she saw a picture of the Kardashians on Instagram with numbers written across their bodies, which turned out to be their weight in kilograms. She was outraged. “I thought: ‘This has got to stop,’” says Jameela. “Because this can’t be how we measure people’s worth: by their body weight.”

As a response, Jameela posted a picture of herself on Instagram, which highlighted her internal values rather than her external ones.

“I decided to show everybody what I weigh — but by my achievements, relationships and my contribution to society,” she says.

People joined in, posting similar pictures of themselves. So many, in fact, that Jameela started an Instagram account called I Weigh (@i_weigh), which has become a body positive internet phenomenon with over 400,000 followers. “I was surprised that something so simple could catch on in the way that it did,” she admits. “But what’s really amazing is how long it’s gone on for. We’re a year in now and it still has such momentum and interest. Women come up to me — and I mean really famous women — and say how much they love I Weigh and how much it’s helping them.”

Young people are vulnerable to body shaming Jameela, an activist, presenter, model and actress, calls I Weigh “a revolution against shame” and “a museum of self-love.” She has been inspired and moved by the people — women and men — who post pictures of themselves on it. “There are cancer survivors, sexual assault survivors and people with disabilities. It’s really motivated me and reminded me how amazing human beings are and how embarrassing it is that we are made to feel like crap for no reason.”

I weigh: Lovely relationship Great friends I laugh every day I love my job I make an honest living I’m financially independent I speak out for women’s rights I like my bingo wings I like myself in spite of EVERYTHING I’ve been taught by the media to hate myself about.

Her message is that we all have to stop worrying about what we look like on the outside by chasing unattainable, unrealistic expectations of weight and beauty — otherwise our mental health can suffer. Young people are particularly vulnerable to such pressures. “The figures are worse than they have ever been for teen suicides, teen selfharm, teen cosmetic surgery and eating disorders,” she says. “That’s (no surprise) when mobile phones and apps bring toxic information into your periphery, sometimes without you even looking for it.”

Airbrushing images makes a bad situation worse In fact, there’s a disturbing lack of education about the dangers of social

media, she insists. “The internet is like the Wild West — and kids have access to it. We’re in an era where for the first time, probably ever in history, parents are behind their kids. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. We were always supposed to be ahead of the kids and guiding them.”

Jameela blames photo editing apps for spreading feelings of body image inadequacy, which is why she now has a rule: she’ll appear on and in magazines, but won’t allow her pictures to be airbrushed. “At least when celebrities were airbrushed you thought: ‘That’s OK: they look like that because they’re famous.’

But now everyone has access to these apps — the lady in the supermarket, the girl in your class — so that, online, everyone looks like a Victoria’s Secret model. No-one has flaws anymore.

How are young people supposed to have any vague sense of reality in that situation?”

Celebrities need to be honest about their looks She also believes that other celebrities should follow her lead. “If you have surgery, say something,” she challenges. “If you’re on a crazy diet and have a personal chef, a dietician, a personal trainer and a cosmetic surgeon, say something.

Lift the curtain back and don’t make people feel inferior because they don’t look like you. Because even you don’t look like you.”

I Weigh will be changing — hopefully in the summer — into something even bigger and better.

“We’re turning it into a company and a multi-media platform to try to create a safe space where you can find more than just people’s I Weigh pages,” says Jameela. “We want to diversify and bring in more activists’ voices and interesting content. It won’t patronise women and tell them to look thinner and younger. It will tell everyone to be smarter and happier.”

Read more at globalcause.co.uk MEDIAPLANET

Nearly nine in ten of those who had been bullied about their appearance (87%) experienced verbal abuse.”

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Positive body image is something that needs to be taught from a young age DENISE HATTON Chief Executive, YMCA England & Wales

CREDIT: VAGENGEYM_ELENA

With more than half of young people (55%) being bullied about their appearance and 80% of this taking place in school or college, YMCA’s Be Real Campaign is working at source to try and tackle body image anxiety among young people. The Be Real Campaign’s mission is to change attitudes to appearance and help all of us put health above the way we look.

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n order to promote body confidence later in life, it is essential that it begins from an early age.

We know from our own research that more than half (52%) of 11 to 16year olds regularly worry about how they look and almost a third (30%) are isolating themselves because of body image anxiety.

The relationship many young people have with their appearance is a negative one. It is a relationship that is powered by constant comparisons with others, self-doubt, and in some cases, crippling insecurities.

Secondary schools are key for learning about positive body image Secondary schools are a key setting for young people to discuss and challenge body confidence issues, with both teachers and students playing an important role in how this happens. We know that when young people learn about body confidence in school, they feel more positive about themselves.

Working with school leaders and a team of experts, YMCA’s Be Real Campaign created the Body Confidence Campaign Toolkit for Schools to help develop body confidence in all students so they can thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Available to download for free, the toolkit provides all the resources a school could need to educate their pupils on body image.

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A toolkit to support teachers and empower pupils With more and more pressure on teachers to deliver work outside of the curriculum, we wanted to make the toolkit as easy to use as possible and contain everything a school could need.

Contained within the pack are model letters to parents and carers, lesson guidance, assembly presentations, campaign posters, tips for teachers and more.

The toolkit also comes with a campaign resource to enable pupils to run their own body confidence campaigns in school. Nearly nine in ten of those who had been bullied about their appearance (87%) experienced verbal abuse and we know the best way to reduce this is by pupils working together, in their schools, on a campaign they own.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), which, this year, will focus on body image, we’re encouraging youth workers, teachers, parents, carers and young people to see how our campaign resources could help their school improve its body confidence.

While the toolkit has been designed for secondary schools, the content can be adapted for different age groups and can be delivered in different settings.

If you are a parent, carer, teacher or someone who works with young people we have a suite of resources on our website to help you speak with young people about their body confidence.

Read more at

berealcampaign.co.uk/schools

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Mothercare's #bodyproudmums There is an unrealistic expectation that women will just snap back into shape after giving birth, says one of the new mums from Mothercare’s Body Proud Mums campaign.

Mums of every age need to be featured in the media — as long as they are shown in all their un-airbrushed, postpregnancy glory.

“My body doesn’t look the way I want it to — and that’s ok!”

“I’ve better things to think about than stretch marks!”

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ew mum, Tina Pack, admits she was nervous when asked to be one of the ten women fronting Mothercare’s Body Proud Mums campaign, designed to, represent “a part of motherhood rarely portrayed in the media.”

Tina was fully behind Mothercare's aim to “show the beauty of the post-birth body” but, even so, it meant posing for a picture in her underwear with her twin son and daughter, Alexander and Kaiya, just 27 weeks after giving birth. “At one point, I bailed,” she laughs. “I said: ‘On second thoughts, I’m not going to do this.’ My husband was the one who convinced me I should.”

She's now glad she did and thinks the pictures — taken by photographer Sophie Mayanne who refuses to digitally manipulate skin in her work — are beautiful. “I don’t feel so embarrassed about my body at the moment,” says Tina, who reveals that the campaign has given her more confidence. “My tummy still has a teardrop shape, but the more I think about the campaign, the happier I am.

Because, actually, even though my body doesn't look the way I want it to, it’s fit and healthy — and it had two babies who came out fine.”

Adverts needs to show more imperfect bodies In our social media-driven world, there’s an unrealistic expectation that mothers’ bodies should quickly return to ‘normal’ after giving birth. “People talk about the Kardashians in that regard,” agrees Tina. “And there’s the snap back phenomenon where people post pictures of themselves at the gym after having kids. I’m not anti-fitness. I believe ‘fit body, fit mind’. I went to the gym and did yoga. But you don't have to post images everywhere and it's not a competition. When you see (SnapBack) photos, you should also see the other side. It’s a balance.”

Some people might think the women in the campaign are 'brave' for putting themselves in the public eye in such an uncompromising way. “It is ‘brave’ in a way, because the shape our bodies are in at the moment is not the shape our bodies were in pre-pregnancy,” says Tina. “But we were doing it for other mums, because when you look at women in adverts, you don't see stretch marks anywhere — but lots of us have them. I also wanted younger people to see real women with real scars and real stretch marks. That is life, those are our bodies. It’s not all perfect. If people see that more often, it might become more normal for everyone.”

K

esia Archer says it’s been surreal to see images of herself on billboards and across social media. As one of ten new mums featured in Mothercare’s aptly named Body Proud Mums campaign, she’s pictured with her baby son, Eli, just 17 weeks after giving birth, displaying her post-pregnancy body — stretch marks and all — with pride.

“I wanted to show women there's nothing to be ashamed of,” says Kesia. “Most of us have stretch marks — they’re completely normal. But it took a while for me to see myself in the mirror and think: ‘This is how I'm going to look now.’ A lot of new mums must be thinking exactly the same.”

Kesia, 21, also wanted to take part in the campaign to represent younger mums and feels they should be better represented in the media. “I think older mums are used more because that’s what newspapers and magazines think people want to see,” she says. “Actually, people want to see real mums, no matter their age.

Look at us.

None of us are models.”

Accept and celebrate your postpregnancy body Her favourite thing about being a mum — the bond she enjoys with Eli — hasn't anything to do with age. “I don’t see too much difference between being older or younger,” says Kesia.

“I’ve just started my journey into motherhood a bit earlier, that's all.”

There might, however, be an unrealistic expectation that younger mums can more quickly return to their pre-pregnancy shape.

“That’s an extra pressure,” she agrees. “But there’s already so much pressure on women.

My advice to mums of any age is: ‘You’re looking after a child, and that's the most important thing. Give yourself a little bit more time to adjust and embrace your new body.’ Some days I’ll try to get back into my old jeans and it can be really frustrating. But then I remember that it’s only been six months and my body has been through so much, so I’ve decided to go a bit easier on myself. It'll happen when it happens.”

Feedback on the campaign from family and friends — and from women and men on social media — has been very supportive, says Kesia.

“I've had messages from other mums saying how they've been inspired by the photos to feel more confident about themselves. I’ve also had comments from new dads saying they wish their partners would stop seeing their body as a negative and that they are so proud of them for carrying their child. It’s been overwhelming.”

Byline: Tony Greenway

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