Possibly one of the most evil topics known to woman. It is just so damn difficult to say what you mean without sounding like a patronising, obnoxious idiot. I’d like to start this article with a ‘hats off’ to all the women that are comfortable whatever their weight. It must be so nice being able to have such a confident and care free way of life! I really do think that more women should take a leaf from your book and I envy you. Weight gain causes way too much stress that needn’t be there, and it’s all to chase that almost impossible size zero.

Unfortunately I believe that the reality of this subject is that a very large percentage of women do feel overweight and the constant need for improvement. Saying that, how many of us have set a weight loss goal, reached it and still kept pushing for “just another half a stone, love”? It’s very nearly a no win situation and who do I think is the biggest culprit? The media, that’s who.

Every single day, our eyes are met with image upon image of people like Victoria Beckam, Paris Hilton and the likes who normally flounce about, the size of a stick and the latest ‘craze’ being this unrealistic size zero. I mean, come on – they look like a stiff breeze could knock them down! Yet, they are what the paparazzi hold as so called perfection. But, as soon as someone like Charlotte Church gets snapped in a size 12 to 14 she is being referred to as fat! Its madness seeing as the average dress size for a woman in the UK is a 16. I say good on her for daring to look healthy and being comfortable with herself! After all, it’s not a crime to enjoy your 3 square meals a day now is it? The media really is shooting itself in the foot, as how can they possibly make any realistically sized woman feel good? This brings awful amounts of pressure with it for even someone as beautifully slim as a size 10 I imagine, let alone 12 and above.

Weight gain can occur for many reasons; comfort eating, life in general, having a baby or even rebelling from the monotony of a ‘you must not eat nice food’ diet! Whereas I do understand that being overweight is unhealthy, I don’t think that the people pointing the finger realise how hurtful that every pointing finger can be.

I always tell my family to let me know if I put on weight or look like I could use the treadmill and I know that the only two people in my family that will do that honestly are my Husband and my Grandmother. It’s never nice to hear, but I do appreciate their honesty (right now I’m trying to loose about a stone and tone up a bit more so I can be back in my size 10’s)

Remember this ladies, it’s the person inside that counts.