then and now.

So i never really blog about my weight at all, it can be quite a sensitive subject to me. It was a trip to the doctors recently the made me realise that it was about time i made the effort and looked after myself a little bit more. The photos above weren’t intentionally taken to show the before and after I was just going through some old photos and i didn’t realise what i looked like a few months ago I wanted to write this post as a sort of, if I can try and be a little healthier then anyone can sort of thing. I do often get a group of negative comments on here about my size, this doesn’t bother me, but I in no way condone what is said about my size I would hate for my readers to have to see it.  

On the left is a photo of me about may/june time and the one on the right is of me taken two days ago on my birthday. I have never in my life dieted so the thought was a little scary. My problem was always snacking, when i’m bored i snack, when i’m stressed (which is most of the time) I snack, when i’m drawing I snack. So you can imagine the prospect of not snacking made me think I was going to starve to death drama queen alert! So the only way I could do it was to throw myself into eating healthy, i have 5 pieces of fresh fruit a day, 8 pints of water, and  I stopped eating chocolate and swapped it for two cubes of dark chocolate a day, I stopped eating crisps and swapped it for nuts and dried fruit. When it came to my meals I just cut down on my portion size and it really made a difference.
 I know i am not a size 10 and i doubt i will ever be a size 10 that is no way my aim. Being healthy  to me is a lifestyle, you shouldn’t let your weight dictate who you are as a human in anyway. I went from a size 16 down to a size 12 maybe the occasional size 14 if i am wearing my primark jeans, and like i said on twitter the other day I personally haven’t been that slim since I was 17, and what I have realised is it truly doesn’t matter it really doesn’t eating right and being happy is what matters! I really wanted my readers to have the confidence within themselves to love their body if they are slim or a little larger, and if you want to loose weight to do it for the right reasons and not because you think you should be skinner, because that is unhealthy. The main thing I have learn’t from the last month or so is that its ok to admit that your not happy with your body and to do something about it, to find out that i actually have the will power to say no to all the naughty food that aren’t good for me. I am 90% happy with my weight but when i look in the mirror i am 100% happy with what looks back at me, I am no longer ashamed of my body i am happy with my hips and boobs, i know it doesn’t matter about size (i really don’t think it does) but i have learn’t that being healthy is the best way to be.

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44 Comments

  1. August 27, 2012 / 3:53 pm

    You look beautiful. Well done on the weight loss, I can see a big difference on the pictures.

    I decided to lose weight because I want to be as healthy as I can and happy with my body. I hate looking into the mirror at the moment and I want to change it. I totally understand the way you feel about it.

    xo

  2. August 27, 2012 / 3:55 pm

    I admire you ever so much – not only as a lovely person and as a wonderful artist – but for being brave enough broach what you have identified as a sensitive subject.
    As long as one is healthy and happy, that is the most important thing. There is far too much emphasis on being skinny – and, as a result, completely unhealthy. I wish that teenage girls – like myself – understood this, but it's sad to know that many don't and get really down when they realise that we can't conform to society's, and the media's, skewed vision of beauty.

    Best Wishes,

    Tara
    http://dandelionden.blogspot.co.uk/

  3. August 27, 2012 / 4:00 pm

    Seriously, well done!! I know only too well about the snacking thing, I do it purely out of boredom. I've lost loads of weight before, but it creeps back on, so I really admire what you're doing. Hope it continues to go so well for you! I'm also sorry to read you've received comments on your size, I think it's horrible that people do that.

    misskirstymarie.blogspot.com
    x

  4. August 27, 2012 / 4:09 pm

    Go you. What most people don't get is it's usually about breaking those bad habits, but there's no reason anyone can't find change them for a more predictive one. I LOVE a good snack at times, and for the last few months have started to keep a stack of fruit on my work desk, so if I fans eating for eatings sake, it's right there in arms reach – and I never have to feel guilty afterwards!

  5. August 27, 2012 / 4:12 pm

    This is such a lovely post, to see someone being positive about size and weight without being extreme is so nice 🙂 Congratulations on the weight loss, it's genuinely inspiring to see you've done so well in such little time! xxx

  6. August 27, 2012 / 4:15 pm

    I am a snack obsessive, especially when it comes to boredom or nerves! I absolutely agree that being healthy should be on everyone's lists. You shouldn't take notice of what negative things people say, they're only 'keyboard warriors' at the end of the day and have nothing better to do. Show them that you're the better person but not letting it get you down 🙂

    louisejoyb x

  7. August 27, 2012 / 4:32 pm

    I snack so much too! I know what you mean about eating when bored I do it all the time! I think I'm hungry but it's just sheer boredom, you look absolutely great Ella. I really need to start a healthy eating routine too. It's amazing how small changed can make such a difference!
    E
    x

  8. August 27, 2012 / 4:33 pm

    A really really inspiring blog post. Seriously well done – you should be so proud of yourself and what you've achived and it takes real bravery to write about it so honestly. Following you with pride 🙂

    http://p0larmilk.blogspot.com

  9. August 27, 2012 / 4:43 pm

    I've always thought that you're a beautiful person and if I'm entirely honest I didn't know what size you were nor did I care… you're just plain ace whatever size you are x

  10. August 27, 2012 / 5:07 pm

    Wow, well done you. I've always struggled with my weight – I just love food! I don't care massively about being the 'bigger one' out of my group of friends but I do feel like I need to be healthier. This is a really inspirational post and you look bloody lovely – I've also got the peach dress you're wearing in your second photo 🙂 xx

  11. August 27, 2012 / 5:09 pm

    It's a great result keep it up.

  12. August 27, 2012 / 5:30 pm

    This is so, so inspirational! Well done you, it's so good to hear that someone is happy with their bodysize. xo

  13. August 27, 2012 / 5:34 pm

    You look gorgeous Ella! It's so nice to see someone who is happy with their own body. I still have a lot of things to accept but I hope I'll get to that point. Honestly you are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. It's not just because you are pretty and have nice style. I love your talent and the way you think (at least what I can see from your posts). There are so many things taht make a wonderful person and you have it all :)xx

  14. August 27, 2012 / 5:35 pm

    Wonderful post! And I'm so impressed. I'm recovering from anorexia and wanted to let you know it's not just negative comments you get about being larger, I got them hideously when I was very unwell.

    Weight isn't important at all, but the Internet and particularly fashion blogging seems to magnify it!
    You're a brilliant person, I don't know you and I'm hideously proud.

    http://this-littlebird.blogspot.co.uk

  15. August 27, 2012 / 5:50 pm

    The difference is quite noticeable, but like you said, the most important thing is to feel better about yourself and be healthy not just loose weight trying to get a body shape that isn't even healthy. Congrats dear, and keep it up! Much love and support, Lau

  16. August 27, 2012 / 6:22 pm

    This is such a lovely post, you're so inspiring 🙂

    Pip x

  17. August 27, 2012 / 6:49 pm

    Well done for being so open. I do think there is a lot of pressure in the blog world to conform to a certain size. I think as long as YOU and healthy and happy, any size is fine. Ignore the beeyatches who leave horrid comments, I get them too, they're just meany losers.

    YOU ARE GORGE!! xxx

  18. August 27, 2012 / 6:51 pm

    Such a beautiful post. i've struggled with anorexia and am in recovery – your blog has made me understand you can be beautiful at any weight. You always look so gorgeous and you're such an inspiration xo

  19. August 27, 2012 / 6:56 pm

    Congratulations on doing so well, you do look so much healthier. Happiness shows in your face also! I myself did the same thing a few years ago, I think I was a similar size to what you are and I promise you, you'l never go back! You'll always stay inspired and if you continue eating healthy snacks, such as fruit and nuts, you'll begin to crave those instead of crisps and chocolate. Keep up all the good work xo

  20. August 27, 2012 / 7:10 pm

    ella you are beautiful and inspiring. your looking great and the most important thing is being comfortable in your body 🙂 good for you! xx

  21. August 27, 2012 / 7:12 pm

    you are beautiful, ella and your huge talent ups your cool factor even more. you're inspiring! 🙂

  22. August 27, 2012 / 7:40 pm

    You look absolutely gorgeous, Ella!

    Becky
    xx

  23. August 27, 2012 / 8:07 pm

    snacking is my problem too! but my mama recently told me about the 2 pieces of dark chocolate trick and it really does work an absolute treat! Well don sweetie you've done great!
    xo

  24. August 27, 2012 / 9:02 pm

    That's brilliant, Ella. You look amazing but it's even better that you feel healthy and happy, which is definitely the most important thing. I've not been too happy with my weight which is verging on unhealthy so I'm definitely going to give a change of lifestyle a try, though I am rather weak-willed!
    Good for you 🙂 Helen xxx

  25. August 27, 2012 / 9:19 pm

    amazing words! you've lost so much. i've been drinking more water instead of fizzy pops lately and i feel a lot better, i don't care about losing weight (im size 14/16) but i do care about getting fit and healthy that i won't get out of the breath walking up a flight of stair

    xx
    The Young Bridget Jones

  26. August 27, 2012 / 10:54 pm

    you look gorgeous! I have always read your blog and thought that you seem so confident and comfortable in your own skin which I really admire! Keep up the great blogging!

    Marie-Claire

  27. August 27, 2012 / 11:13 pm

    What a cool post to read! And congrats on having gotten on a healthier life. I, myself, am trying to lose weight. Ever since I moved to the States, I've been putting on weight like crazy. I was not comfortable in my own skin anymore (or my clothes, ha) and that was affecting all different aspects of my life. I'm trying to eat healthily and exercise more and so far it's working.

    By the way, I can't believe people take their time to write negative comments about your weight! That pisses me off big time, grrr!

    Thanks for this and hope you have an awesome week! ;D

    Miki.

  28. August 28, 2012 / 12:08 am

    Wow you look as amazing as ever hun. 🙂 Snacking when bored or annoyed is defiantly my problem as well. x

  29. August 28, 2012 / 3:51 am

    I admire your courage to talk about this and actually make changes to your weight. I havent been slim since puberty (what a bitch) and have tried in vain countless of times to fix it but… *sigh*
    I'm hoping to try again though and your post is a great motivation for me. Thank you Ella 🙂

    xx,diamondinrouge.blogspot.sg

  30. August 28, 2012 / 6:51 am

    Thank you for this wonderful post. I have those days too and it's really frustrating at times when I can't stop snacking or craving for food especially sweets. I've had weight problems also and you're totally right in saying that it's okay to admit when we are not happy with our body but at the same time have the courage as well to do something about it, in a healthy way. I may not always write a comment here but I regularly check your blog because I adore your style and talent (drawing) 🙂

    another day to wander

  31. August 28, 2012 / 8:28 am

    Thank you for sharing, it can be so hard to 'put yourself out there' and I can imagine anyone being sensitive to comments about their weight. You look lovely , well done you:-)

  32. August 28, 2012 / 9:54 am

    You look beautiful, and well done you for writing such a lovely and positive post about body image/health.

    xx

  33. August 28, 2012 / 10:45 am

    You look amazing, you're a true inspiration to all!

  34. August 28, 2012 / 11:33 am

    Well done gorgeous, you are looking fab and being happy in your own skin is the most important thing.

    I lost a lot of weight before I went to uni years ago and then put it all back on and more by the time I finished so have tried dieting ever since, pretty unsuccessfully. Decided to get on it properly over the last couple of weeks and have managed to drop half a stone so far. Snacking and portion control are my main problems, but this time around I just feel like I really want it bad and I'm not finding it hard to stick to…so far.

    I love seeing other bloggers' weightloss journeys, it definately motivates me to keep on track when I see other people being successful.

    <3

    http://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com

  35. August 28, 2012 / 7:28 pm

    What a lovely post! It is so nice to see someone publicly say just be healthy and happy that is all that matters – because it really is! I think 'dieting' and dieting culture is a bit f*cked up really, healthy eating is where it is at!

    xx

  36. August 29, 2012 / 10:44 am

    you are beautiful! you have always looked stunning but its great to see someone saying that being healthy is what matters. xxx

  37. August 30, 2012 / 11:40 pm

    I really admire you for becoming dedicated to the goal of being happy and healthy with your body! I've been trying to do this a lot but it's hard living at home as my mam only cooks starchy oven ready foods. Though now you have refreshed my motivation to keep trying! 🙂

    http://mischiefmanaged182.blogspot.co.uk/

  38. August 31, 2012 / 3:58 pm

    You have great style and such confidence in yourself, which is more attractive than any small dress size. You are beautiful! Well done for your determination, and I wish I was 100% happy with what I see in the mirror, as you are.
    xxx

  39. September 1, 2012 / 12:50 pm

    I think you have a lovely figure Ella! Your new snack regime sounds like all my favourite things, but I do occasionally eat unhealthy stuff but when you eat well most of the time it can be a treat rather than a bad thing. It's lovely to see that you have such a positive mindset – I can't believe people feel like they have a right to comment on your weight on your personal blog! Xoxo

  40. September 1, 2012 / 7:05 pm

    This is a really inspirational and honest post – I'm glad you're feeling happy with yourself and congrats on starting a new healthier lifestyle! I've started doing Yoga on Wii fit recently and it's definitely made a difference in the way I look and feel…I'd recommend it if you had the time! Also, any one who has the time to post negative and/or abusive posts to you on here is clearly just jealous of the success of your blog and your talents xx

  41. September 11, 2012 / 11:51 am

    I think you look amazing and your style is great, I wish I had the confidence to wear some of the things tou wear…you are a little inspiration! x

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