 The first time it happened, I was getting dressed. A new boyfriend of just one month told me, as I fastened my bra: 'You look pregnant! You should lose weight.' I was stunned and devastated and completely at a loss for words – so remained silent. That boyfriend went on to give me an ultimatum – lose weight or it's over. He even outlined a deadline for me: one year. Hearing that, I burst into tears. I was only 26 and weighed just 9.1 stone. With hindsight I would have left the relationship immediately. I didn't at the time though. In yoga class a few years ago and an older lady asked me when I was due. 'It's pizza, I'm just fat,' I responded Today, I'm 42 and am two stone heavier. I am 5ft 6 and my weight sits at the high end of healthy on the BMI calculator. I walk around 15 miles a week, and get my five portions of fruit and veg most days. Despite this, about once a month someone will ask me if I'm pregnant. I've had it for almost two decades now. Even at a low BMI people asked me the question. I've always had a pot belly, I've a thick waistline, and each time I'm asked a little part of my self-esteem dies inside. My boyfriend went on to give me an ultimatum – lose weight or it's over (Picture: Paul Nicholls) Do I really look so big? Am I so out of shape? Is my big, round belly really the only striking feature people see when they look at me? There was that time I was in yoga class a few years ago and an older lady asked me when I was due. 'It's pizza, I'm just fat,' I responded. The whole class was silent and I wanted the yoga mat I was sat on to swallow me and my big belly whole. Just last year I was on holiday in Devon and an older man refused me entry to a fairground ride: 'In your condition' he said, nodding to my tummy. 'I'm just fat' I said, deadpan, before shooting him a glare of disdain. Once again I felt huge and like I stood out at the busy fairgroun){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
The first time it happened, I was getting dressed.
A new boyfriend of just one month told me, as I fastened my bra: ‘You look pregnant! You should lose weight.’
I was stunned and devastated and completely at a loss for words – so remained silent.
That boyfriend went on to give me an ultimatum – lose weight or it’s over. He even outlined a deadline for me: one year. Hearing that, I burst into tears.