Stacey Solomon speaks out about being body shamed and having ‘saggy, breastfeeding boobs’
“WHILE I’ve been the same weight most of my life, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some body hang-ups.
At 27, I’m the only one of my friends with saggy, breastfeeding boobs, as they haven’t had kids yet.
But in reality, everyone has something they don’t like. I’ve also got stretch marks and I remember once thinking my ankles were too skinny after someone told me I needed to put on weight. I tried to laugh it off, but subconsciously those comments make you think about yourself in a not very nice way.
It wasn’t the first time someone had mentioned my body shape and I don’t think people realise there’s a real stigma against slim people. I always get comments like: ‘You need to eat more,’ or ‘You’re so skinny, you don’t look well.’
They think it can’t be hurtful because they’re not calling me fat, but those words stick and I wonder if I do look unhealthy.
When I’ve had discussions about it on Loose Women, some say: ‘Poor you with your skinny problems,’ but I don’t think there’s a difference between being told you look terrible for being too skinny or too big.
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Neither is acceptable. Stacey’s partner Joe loves her as she is and Leighton, four, and has been with her partner TV presenter Joe Swash, 35, since 2015.
She says: “While I’ve been the same weight most of my life, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some body hang-ups.
When I was a kid, I never worried about the way I looked as I was too busy having fun. I feel fortunate that I didn’t have the worries of social media growing up.
These days, when I scroll through or , I see loads of perfect-looking people.
I can recognise that it’s most likely down to Botox and surgery, but I worry many young girls can’t.
That’s why when I do photo shoots, I get angry if there’s a lot of airbrushing. I feel a responsibility to be honest about who I am and say: ‘Sod it, these are my wobbly little muffin tops and I don’t particularly like them, but they are part of me and I’m proud of them.’
I’ve never been on fad diets, I’ve got a healthy BMI and I remind myself that I have this body because I’m a mum and I wouldn’t change that.
Joe says I’m perfect as I am, and thank god because I like to be hairy and make-up-free most of the time! Women need to remember that ‘flaws’ are what make you, you.
So stop obsessing over them, and start loving yourself – there’s nothing more attractive than being happy with who you are.”
Loose Women Body Stories launches 2nd May at 12.30pm on ITV.