The UK’s first free Lifestyle Magazine dedicated to the plus-size woman

JULY 2008
Issue 18
a
Anita Cox
Credit Crunch Hair Tips

Ms Kentucky
Plus 2008
Anna Scholz
Fashion Tips

Claire Young’s
BIG Payday
Spas for
Curvy Girls Dancefloor Diet
 a 3. Nile Graham: Big Debate

5. Diet On The Dancefloor

6. Ms Kentucky Plus 2008

8. Size and Style

12. Life After 5 A Day

13. Credit Crunch Hair Tips

14. Sarah Clark: Top Spas

17. Anna Schotz: Fashion Tips

22. Diet On The Dancefloor:

Meet The Stars

FOR YOUR FREE MONTHLY 24. Callie Carling

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S
ince our last visit to this
subject, I have researched
some of the women's mags
that covered the 'Fern
debate'. What I found was that in
the vast majority of cases, those who
thought she was wrong to 'hide' her
surgery and only talk about the diet
and exercise part of her weight loss
regime felt 'cheated'. Seeing her as
some iconic figure of the fuller
figured celebrity appeared less of
an issue than the 'fact' that she had
made a choice not to reveal her
surgery. There is some empathy with
that feeling, and, as some of you
pointed out, she did not have to
appear in articles talking about
dieting at all. That might have made
it more palatable.
In the June 2008 issue of Woman's
Own magazine, Fern is quoted as
saying “I didn't lie and there's no
need to. I don't want to let anybody
down but a girl likes to keep
something to herself.” That being
the case, as many of you and others
in magazines point out, she should
not have been seen to infer it was all
down to “will power”. Also, it seems
that the fact that she is the face of
Ryvita also goes some way to infer
that it was all down to diet and
exercise.
The BIG Debate
Does size matter?
Does this now mean that she's out
of the fuller figured club? If you've
been a 'fatty' are you one for life
(regardless of how slim you may
have become)?
One woman I spoke to, who
underwent the surgery and has so
far lost over 5 stones, admitted that
she hadn't told anyone in her family
apart from her partner and one or
two close friends because she
didn't think she would get any
support. “They would just say that I
took the easy way out after not
being bothered to give dieting a
real chance, or some of them
would try and say that I'd been
pretending to be happy as a fat girl
because they are big and would
feel I'm judging them.
“The fact is, I was happy most of the
time. But, like anyone of any size, I
had my down days, especially
when I went out shopping and
couldn't find youthful things to fit
me within my budget. Some of my
family treat me differently since the
weight loss and it upsets me. I'm no
different to the person I was before
surgery apart from feeling happier
due to many of the aches and
pains I had being less severe now. I
don't understand what their issue is.
By Nile Graham
Maybe it's jealousy or fear. I just wish
they could be proud of what I've
achieved and leave it at that,” she
said.
But she also spoke of the pain she
went through as she developed a
complication: “It was awful. I
thought I was going to die. One
minute I was biting into a very small
piece of pizza and salad. A piece
got lodged in my stomach and I
began to throw up. I couldn't eat or
drink. I had to go to the A&E and it
was a load of drama there as no
one from the surgeon's team was
available to tend to me, and so a
regular nurse tried poking a tube
down my stomach. I went crazy
and told them to leave me alone
until someone who knew what they
were doing was available to see
me.
“I spent four days in hospital on a
drip until the blockage went and I
was able to drink and eat a little
without throwing it back up. I
became vary wary of what and
how I ate from then on, but it's not
always easy to remember. I've
been a big girl for a long time, so my
habits are very strong and I have to
keep reminding myself to eat
consciously”.

At 35yrs old, Clare had been almost
25 stone and despite the
complication was clear that she
would do it again because of the
'benefits' she feels it has afforded
her.
NG
Let me know what your experiences
have been and whether you are
considering having surgery, and what
issues or questions are coming up for
you -be they about the surgery or the
social side of things.

?
We will come back to this issue as
there has been a bigger response
than can be included in this one
article. I want to do the subject
justice.

Nile Graham is a life coach and

personal development expert and
can be reached by sending an
email to her at:

nile.graham@justasbeautiful.co.uk

a
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www.justasbeautiful.co.uk

“The UK’s First Free Lifestyle Magazine Dedicated To The Plus-Size Woman”
 DIET ON THE DANCEFLOOR
SHIMMIES ONTO LIVING
L
IVING's new dance show with
a difference, Diet on the
Dancefloor, picks up on the
current craze of dancing
yourself fitter and slimmer, as ten
participants all in need of losing
weight, pair up with dance pro
partners in a bid to boogie away the
body fat. Sequins, sparkle, weight
loss and emotional and physical
bumps and bruises are all to be
expected as they aspire to lose
weight the fun, glamorous way,
demonstrated and judged by
Strictly Come Dancing's Karen
Hardy, who waltzed Mark
Ramprakash to victory, and
Matthew Cutler, who partnered last
year's winner Alesha Dixon. The
participants will be judged on
fitness, technical style and panache
but who will waltz away with the Diet
on the Dancefloor 2008 crown?
FOR SUMMERTIME
Karen Hardy, judge and teacher
said, “Dancing is one of the best
ways to get fit and versus the
monotony of the treadmill,
definitely the most fun! The series
will hopefully show everyone that
this is the time to get up off the sofa
and put those dancing shoes on.”
Each week, as they fight for the
ultimate title of Diet on the
Dancefloor Champion 2008, the
contestants will have to learn a new
dance each week, from Bollywood
and Cha Cha Cha to the Salsa and
Tango, and perform it in front of the
judges; Karen, Matthew and top
Sports Physician Dr Catherine
Spencer-Smith. The participants
will be judged not just solely on their
technique and style of the dance,
as well as a weekly 'lift and hold',
but also their improving fitness,
weight loss and how they carry off
their sensational dance outfits. The
three judges will be on hand to
teach new steps, holds and dances
and leading UK Sports Physician Dr
Catherine Spencer-Smith will try
and transform every aspect of the
contributor's diets and lifestyles in
their bid for fitness.
Matthew Cutler, judge and tutor
said: “Diets are always front of
peoples' minds, especially with the
current obsession for the perfect
body, and dancing is a passionate,
energetic way for people to keep
fit. It will be fascinating to see how
the participants step up the pace
as they shed weight, and their
energy increases.”
Ms KENTUCKY PLUS
Kathy Luttrell is the reigning Ms Kentucky Plus. Just As Beautiful caught up with her
to find out what life is now like as a plus-size beauty queen and her views on size
and self esteem in society.
K
athy is the first to admit that
her current profile has
changed her life in several
ways, the first being her
exposure in the media: “I have
made several public appearances
and have also appeared on the big
time television station, WHAS 11 -
with a segment dedicated to me
being Ms Kentucky Plus America
2008 during a news at noon feature.
I have been on the front page of The
Pioneer News, which is a local
newspaper in the county that I work
in. I have also been on the front
page of the big newspaper The
Courier Journal, which is in the
county where I live, and I had a full-
page spread in the features section
of the same paper.”
But the media appearances are not
the only thing that she has been
enjoying since winning the
pageant. Kathy has also met
several high-profile people too,
and has started using her influence
for the better -especially in terms of
self esteem. “I have met my
governor and attended several
fundraisers that help promote my
platform which is Preventing Child
Abuse and Neglect. I have done
several photo shoots with different
photographers and also met and
had my picture taken with Heather
French Henry, who was the Miss
America 2000 winner (who is also
from Kentucky). One of the biggest
ways it has changed my life though
is that it has opened up more doors
for me to have the ability to help
promote positive self esteem in
plus-size women and meet and
speak with plus size women about
loving your body no matter what
the size is on the tag in your
favourite dress,” she said.
Kathy, a single mother of two
recently graduated as a
paramedic and now works in
Emergency Medical Services,
helping the sick, injured, and dying.
Despite being busy Kathy does try
to maintain a healthy balance with
her home life and new-found
celebrity: “I was and am a single
mother of two beautiful daughters,
Estashia and Triniti. I tend seek out
every opportunity I can to promote
the realization to today's society
that beauty and success definitely
does come in sizes bigger than a 2,
4, 6, 8, or even a 10 or 12. I also play
sand volleyball, softball, go to the
gym and take acting classes – while
doing what I can to promote my
modelling and acting career.”
It was during an online search for
plus-size activities that Kathy came
across what was to become her

destiny: “I was searching the
internet looking for plus size events
and competitions and found the
Miss Plus America pageant system. I
have always wanted to see plus-size
divisions in all pageants and when I
came across this pageant
dedicated only to plus-size, I
immediately had to check into it
and then decided I wanted to
become a part of it,” and she is glad
she did so.
Kathy also plans to use her influence
as a plus-size beauty queen to help
women suffering from low self
esteem and to spread the message
that big can be beautiful: “I plan on
using my influence as Ms Kentucky
Plus America 2008 to make as much
progress as I possibly can in getting
out in the public's eye and showing
that size acceptance is extremely
important because beauty and
success does come in the sizes of 18,
20, 22, 24 and even size 30.
“I also want to work on the fashion
industry because over 60% of the
population is plus-size and we like
our clothes to be just as nice and
trendy as the size 2's and 6's. I also
want to work on getting the
entertainment industry to open their
eyes and see that the population
being over 60% plus size, want to
see more plus-size heroine's in the
blockbuster movies and that we
plus-size models and actresses can
do just as good if not better acting
than our small size counterparts...
Romance does not only come in
small sizes either... I not only want to
represent the plus-size industry, I
want to help other plus-size women
who are affected by society's
negativity in size acceptance to
learn to love their body and
themselves; and do not let
anyone's views of them determine
their self worth. I would like to be
able to give speeches and talk to
groups about size acceptance
and promoting positive self
esteem, not only in women but also
in our children and men.”
Kathy has several messages for big
girls out there: “I have several
messages I would like to pass on to
other plus size women out there.
The first is, remember that you are
beautiful inside and out and that
the tag size in your dress does NOT
determine your self worth.
Secondly, know that beauty and
success does come in plus-size, no
matter what society or the general
public wants to try and set a limit to.
Additionally, get up every morning,
look in the mirror and tell yourself
that you are indeed beautiful and
that you can do anything that you
set your mind to and that any
negativity or obstacles you might
come to face are only mere
roadblocks on your path to show
everyone that you are who you are.
Just because you are not a size 4, 6,
or 8 does not mean you don't have
the right to shine. Be yourself and
hold your head up high and know
that you are a part of society's elite -
the plus-size elite and let that
knowledge help lead you over
those roadblocks; so that in future
instead of roadblocks they will be
merely bumps that you know you
can handle and let yourself shine
through,” she said.
Kathy's dedication cannot be
denied and is aided by her belief
that “beauty and success come in
all shapes and sizes and colours.
There is no one in this world any
better than the next. Sure, you may
have more money, better clothes,
longer legs and a smaller waist, but
that does not make you better than
the next person. Beauty is not only
on the outside, beauty comes also
from the inside. The plus-size
population is not here to try and
take over all things. We just want to
simply be accepted as people too
and be given just the same
opportunities as the girl next door -
for more often than not, we are the
girl next door, plus-size and proud.”
 Size and Style with
Lisa Marie and Jennygirl
Now, to some of you the idea of a
community for the big and beautiful
may be foreign. For us, it's our daily
life. Lisa Marie owns Club Bounce,
the most successful Plus Size
Nightclub in the US and judging from
the daily requests for her to expand
to other regions and countries; we
are guessing that there is nothing like
www.clubbounce.net anywhere
else in the world. Lisa Marie also co-
owns www.hourglassfashions.com
with Jennygirl. It is a plus-size fashion
superstore with sizes ranging from XL
up to 12x which now delivers to the
UK. Lisa Marie was recently featured
on the WE Channel's Secret Lives of
Women, discussing the club, the
clothing store and how she went
from being a shy overweight girl to a
successful BBW Entrepreneur.
Jennygirl works as a photographer
at Club Bounce and designs some
of the styles you see every day at
www.hourglassfashions.com .
In today's fast-paced world it's so
easy to get lost in our own lives and
our own problems and experiences
that we forget there are others out
there with a whole different
perspective. We are here to show
you a bit of our life and what we
encounter, living in the United
States as plus-size women. Here in
the US we are lucky to have an
established community for BBW's
and at Club Bounce we have a
place where all plus sized men and
women can come and feel
comfortable and adored just as
they are.
Most recently,
Club Bounce held a Fetish Ball
theme night. Once a year, we
celebrate the naughty, fetish side in
all of us and let it all hang out -so to
speak. Men and women came
from all over the US for this event,
some coming from as far as
Detroit, MI and Portland, OR.
Hourglass Fashions provided
some of the costumes and
styles shown in the accompanying
photos and as you can see, we are
not shy when it comes to our bodies.
We had a spanking station, a foot
worship station and even a stage
show of strong, beautiful BBWS
spanking a naughty slave. The
crowd gathered at the end of the
night for a Best Dressed Mistress
contest. The cheering was loud and
long as they watched these brave
women strut their stuff on the stage
for all to see. A winner was named
by crowd applause and our hearts
were warmed by all the confidence
these ladies showed. We know
confidence is something that is
hard to come by for most plus-size
women. If Club Bounce can help a
woman feel good about herself,
make them stand up and enjoy the
experience, then Lisa Marie's vision
for her club is a success. We love to
break down barriers and show the
rest of the world that we can do
anything you can do…and most of
the time we do it better! People
crave a sense of belonging and we
give that to them.
Maybe it's that sense
of freedom
y o u
get when you know you aren't being
judged as soon as you walk in the
door, but it's nice to see everyone
come out of their shell. We are told
by society that fat people are lazy
and they don't take care of
themselves. Well, as you can see, we
at Club Bounce are breaking those
stereotypes. One look at the
beautiful curves filling up the dance
floor and you will see for yourself. We
have realized that just because we
are 'Fat', we don't have to sit at
home and hide. Lisa Marie lived her
life in the shadow of others for a long
time and came to the realization
that this was no way to live. Life is too
short to sit on the sidelines, waiting
for experiences to happen to you.
Don't wait any longer, no matter
where you live. We in the US may
have started this size-acceptance
movement, but it doesn't need to
stop here with us. Break those
barriers and stereotypes. Buy a sexy
outfit and show off your curves
instead of hiding under mountains of
fabric. You can go out there and
start living your life, enjoying every
minute like it was your last.
www.clubbounce.net and click on To view our fun and flirty fashions go
If you would like to see the photos
the photo link at the top. to www.hourglassfashions.com .
from the Fetish Ball or any of our
other great club nights, please go to

BBW Limos
“For occasions you treasure most”

We understand limousine
rental should be cheaper.
We understand how you
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info@bbwlimos.co.uk
www.bbwlimos.co.uk
 after leaving his wife and children
to start a gay relationship. The only
thing holding him back from total
happiness is his weight. Unlucky in
love Amy has suffered the
heartache of being engaged
twice with both ending in disaster
and heartbreak. Amy is desperate

to shed the weight, get fit and

regain her confidence to find true
Amongst the contestants hoping to love.
boost fitness and achieve their
weight loss dancing goals is 21-year- Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith, Judge
old Ed, a wannabe boy band and Sports physician, said: “In
member who is desperate to ignite today's society the importance of
his career, but feels his weight is exercising is highlighted by the
holding him back. Thirty-nine year growing levels of obesity in the UK.
old Dale has changed his whole life
This show is all about moving away
from the conventional ideas of how
to lose weight by giving exercise a
fun, glam twist which will hopefully
inspire others”.
In addition, there will be challenging
costume changes each week and
on hand to help the contestants is
stylist and mentor Nick Ede (LK
Today, GMTV). He will be sourcing
outfits that work for each dance
and try to help them conquer their
fears over the revealing clothes;
clothes that over the weeks will Diet On The Dance Floor
become smaller and more daring, is aired at 9pm,
as they shed pounds. Will there be
tears and tantrums or will the
Wednesday's on UK
contestants accept that by Living
overcoming this challenge, they
are on their way to achieving their
goals to a fitter, more svelte self?
 Life after Five a Day
Post Party Weekend Report
Last month I wrote about our
ambitions to include five-a-day in
our annual girly weekend away,
and I'm very glad to say we kept to
our schedule (although it was hard).
The Strawberry Dakari's were
delicious, served on the Saturday
lunchtime whilst wearing pyjamas.
We included Bacardi, orange juice,
lots of fresh strawberries, crushed
ice, probably a dash of vodka and I
seem to remember cranberry juice
being added as well. Lots of good
things in there -cranberry juice is
essential to help keep cystitis at bay.
A couple of Dakari's later we were
ready to tuck into the watermelon.
Very dedicated to her task, my
friend went to the greengrocer and
asked for a nice watermelon which
wasn't too big and would sit nicely
on its end, and he delivered the
perfect specimen. This was put in
the garage for about four days with
a funnel pressed in the top, being
fed vodka on a regular basis so that
it would seep through the flesh. It
worked ok, but being careful girls we
cut it short of the seven days
recommended thinking it may spoil
the melon flesh. (We now think it
would have been OK and would
have avoided some of the flesh
being practically pure vodka). We
didn't complain though as we
sucked the rind dry and threw it all
around the chalet. We had our
Bucks Fizz on the Friday after we
arrived, but omitted the orange
juice (so that was a failure I guess,
very nice it was though).
Amazing how you can still put on
make up even though you have
had several glasses of the fizz
without the bucks. This is a knack we
have developed over the years
(you just choose the 70's weekends
as being the decade taste forgot, if
you have bright blue and pink eye
shadow in a flourish across to your
earlobes). It really doesn't matter.
We had our pizza and even slipped
in some salad along with the
tomato sauce and mushrooms,
topped off with some beer with
lime stuffed into the top.
All in all, I think the five-a-day
adventure was pretty successful
and we have already booked
another for next year.
julia Thomas is the owner
of leading website:
www.curvychicks.co.uk
By Julia Thomas
A down side to your five a day is
texting your partner at 02:45 (am) to
tell him that you love him, then at
02:48 wondering where your reply is;
forgetting that you have gone into
70's weekend time which is totally
out of sync with the rest of the world,
then again at 03:00 saying
something else unprintable. (He
did, however, enjoy relaying the
texts to me when I got home…)
Another down side was that I came
home and had to go to the doctors
as I appeared to have caught a
chest infection (that seemed to
have burnt out some of my brain
cells). I found myself picking out the
wrong words and staggering
around with the coordination of
Ozzy Osbourne on the Monday and
waited at a crossing in the car on a
green light. To cap it all, about an
hour ago I put on the umpteenth
load of washing and on autopilot
scooped a measure up and threw it
in the dispenser. Sounds OK doesn't
it? Only we stopped using powder
in our household about a year ago
in favour of the concentrated liquid
stuff. I had scooped up a measure
full of dried dog food and thrown it
into the drawer. Big sigh, my partner
and kids enjoyed that at my
expense.
Would I advocate our unhealthy
five-a-day? Well, once in a long
while I think you can be forgiven for
letting your hair down -I hope so
anyway and if isn't, then that's
alright as it's going to be 30 years
since we left school next year
(eek!). So that's a good enough
excuse to do some more research,
and I may have recovered by then
(only just)!
Credit Crunch Recipes for
Stressed Tresses
Celebrity hairdresser, Anita Cox, has some handy tips using household items
that can help repair damaged hair and leave your tresses looking gorgeous.

with a boost.

How to make it: Use one glass of bitter

beer as a finishing rinse, once or twice
a month

Seriously rich conditioner

Good for: stressed tress that have

been repeatedly over heated, using
straightening irons too often can
make your hair frizz.

How to make it: Mix together cup of

Clear it out shampoo
Good for: getting rid of product
build-up that makes hair look dull
and scalp itchy.
your normal conditioner with cup of
runny honey and 1 tbsp of almond oil.
Pour over clean, damp hair and work
in. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse
with warm water.

How to make it: add between three Quick colour boosters

and five drops of pure tea-tree oil to
your normal shampoo and use
every other day.
Shine on conditioner
Good for: dry, damaged hair that's
had too much heat treatment.
How to Make it: mash up a ripe
banana or and egg and mix with a
few drops of almond oil. Massage
into clean hair, then leave for 15
minutes before rinsing out.
Tea is great for playing up your own
colour. For each treatment, make a
strong brew then rinse the solution
through your hair ten times, catching
the rinse in a bowel before pouring
back onto your hair.
On brown hair: Black tea will bring out
chestnut highlights.
On blonde hair: Camomile tea will
add a beautiful golden sheen to
natural blonde and highlighted hair.

Beef it up beer rinse On red hair: Rose-hip tea. Use a good

handful of leaves or a couple of bags
Good for: Fine hair that could do to the best colour.

For more information visit: www.anitacox.co.uk; Anita Cox 40 Battersea Rise,

London SW11 1EE; Telephone: 0208 225 8888
 The top spas for
curvy girls
Going to a spa is supposed to be an absolute treat. A relaxing, sensory experience that makes
you feel pampered and cared for.
B
ut all too often, a spa or
salon visit can be marred
by the ignominy of having
to strip off in front of a barely-
out-of-her-teens, size ten
therapist who clearly hasn't
seen what's under a fat
person's robe before...and step
into paper pants that feel like
cheese wire. Not only that, but
paper pants look absolutely
ridiculous and believe me,
when you're a size 22, the only
thing you can think about for
the duration of a treatment is
“please God, don't make me
cough.” Can you imagine the
p otenti a l em b a rra s s m ent
factor of splitting your paper
knickers mid bikini wax? Oh no,
please never let that happen
to me. One wrong move and
the silly pants are toast...
There is also the 'can't quite get
the towel/robe done up'
scenario. Here's an example. I
went in search of fat-friendly
havens of relaxation, places
designed to make even the
chubbiest among us feel like
princesses for a day.
The first thing I was met with was
a wall of silence. I approached
several well known spas direct,
and the only one to come
back to me straight away was
Champneys. Now, I've been to
Champneys myself, and
although it was some time
ago, I do remember enjoying
the experience. I sampled the
delights of Champneys at
Tring, the 'original Champneys,
and was pleasantly surprised
that both my friend and I felt
totally at home there. Neither
of us are a size ten, and my
friend admitted at the time
that she'd entered the spa
with some trepidation. I'd
already been to several spas
and knew the drill by then, but
you still worry when you go to
somewhere as swanky as
Champneys that it's going to
be very exclusive and
everyone is going to be thinner
than you!
Sharon Scott, from
Champneys, told me,
“Champneys are happy to
welcome women of all sizes.
We do have extra large robes,
slippers and towels, and our
therapists are used to dealing
with women of every size and
age.
“The paper pants are one size
but they are designed to fit all.
As you are probably aware
they have elastic at the sides
so the paper area is not
designed to cover the whole
area anyway.
By Sarah Clark
“I believe many of our
treatments would make any
women feel good. The body
treatments that make the skin
feel soft are particularly good.
We have a fabulous body
treatment called Bed of Roses
– this begins with a full body
exfoliation followed by an
application of body butter.
While it's being absorbed you
relax and enjoy a massage of
the feet and scalp, which will
leave you feeling cleansed,
nourished and soothed with
the gentle fragrance of rose.”
Although experience would
lead me to believe that the
one size pants may just about
fit all (but they certainly aren't
comfortable if you have a
backside big enough for its
own postcode), I'll give
Champneys the benefit of the
doubt just for telling me about
that gorgeous treatment!
Next to respond was Ragdale
Hall, another popular and well-
known spa, and the winner of
the Professional Beauty
Residential Spa of the Year
2008 Award. Vicky Taylor told
me that Ragdale positively
encourages people of all sizes,
and likes to think they are
catered for. On the practical
side, she assured me that not
only does Ragdale offer
variable sized paper knickers
(so they do exist after all) but
that their towels are all bath
sheet size and they have robes
suitable for all sizes too.

To make things even more

welcoming, for people who
really are what she described
as 'larger than average',
Ragdale have specially
designed larger treatment
couches, so that presumably
the bigger clients don't feel the
need to cling on to the sides for
dear life to avoid the horrible
“I'm going to fall off this thing if I
so much as move” feeling!
Vicky added that Ragdale
offers so many welcoming,
pampering treatments that
would make a larger lady feel
amazing, she couldn't pick just
one.

“We like to provide a cosy,

welcoming place for our visitors
to enjoy, and we aren't
intimidating at all,” she told me.
“Ragdale Hall is a very lovely
environment...for everyone.”

Another spa that makes the

grade when it comes to
catering for curvy lasses is
Eastthorpe Hall, not surprisingly
another winner in the
Professional Spa Awards this
year. Sam Pearce, one of the
partners at Eastthorpe waxed
lyrical about what they offer
larger people. According to
Sam, a delighted Eastthorpe
Hall client recently said that
one of the things she loved
about Eastthorpe Hall is that “it
isn't run by 18 year old twigs!”
Eastthorpe believe that one of
the reasons they have been
winning awards is because of
their sensitivity to clients of all
shapes and sizes. One
particularly favourable review
was written recently by a
journalist who hadn't
undressed in front of anyone
at all for the last 14 years and
after realising how safe and
secure she felt with her
therapist (Nicola – the spa
manager), she was relaxed
and peaceful enough to have
a treatment. Sam told me:
“She is now a regular - and we
can't keep her clothes on!”
She added: “We don't do one
size fits all treatments here,
because we just don't believe
in them – and we even have
ladies in cancer remission who
are so relaxed here that they
throw off their wigs and
prosthetic boobs and throw
caution to the wind!”
“Life would be so boring if
everyone were the same, the
stereotypical image of women
in the media is totally
unobtainable - we actually
offer a treatment called
Space - this treatment can be
performed with the client fully
dressed and the results are
phenomenal - we have a
Mongolian Yurt in the grounds
that is just for you, totally private
and just wonderful. To us size
isn't an issue and it never has
been. We know that we make
clients feel comfortable in their
own skin, whatever shape, size,
colour or orientation.”

Eastthorpe Hall goes as far as to

say that the majority of their
clientele are actually on the
larger side – and as a last
comment Sam added: “No,
scrap that - the majority of our
clients are women who are
normal!”

Sarah Clark runs

www.relentlessly-positive.com
a website dedicated to encouraging
a more positive outlook on life.

BBW Limos
“For occasions you treasure most”

We understand limousine
rental should be cheaper.
We understand how you
like to be treated.

info@bbwlimos.co.uk
www.bbwlimos.co.uk
 If you’ve got it
flaunt it!

U
ndisputedly the leading
designer in the plus size
market, Anna Scholz, who
trained at Central St Martins along
side Antonio Berardi, Robert Carey
Williams, Tristan Weber and Giles
Deacon. Scheduled to appear in
the cult TV shopping show Mary
Queen of Shops. In the programme
which airs in early June on BBC 2
Anna works with Mary Portas to
introduce sexier fashion
consciences clothes for the curvier
woman. Anna has also appeared
on BBC 3’s Find Me the Face when
the two presenters were set the
challenge to find a new curvy super
model. Apart from her own mainline
collection Anna has been part of
the Designers at Debenhams
campaign and currently consults for
Simply B the UK-based mail order
phenomenon. Where she offers an
affordable diffusion collection of
fashion, shoes, swim wear and
lingerie. Celebrity fans include Macy
Gray, Gabrielle, Dawn French,
Roseanne Barr, Lisa Riley, Alison
Moyet, Jocelyn Brown, Queen
Latifah and more recently, Adele.
Here Anna offers her Top Ten Tips for
Curvy Girls
 1 6
If you have a generous bust,
don’t be afraid to show it off.
If you’re trying to minimise
your bust line, stick to square
necklines.
2
Make use of in-house bra-
fitting services. If you have a
substantial bust, wearing the
right bra will take
pounds of your figure.
3
If you wear something that
tents down from the bust you
will make yourself look much
bigger than you
are. By slinging a belt around your
waist or hips, you give the illusion of
an hourglass figure. Don’t hide
those curves!
4
Ditch the hold-in knickers.
Instead invest in some good
flesh coloured underwear
which is much more comfortable in
the summer heat.
5
Don’t be afraid to wear pale
colours you don’t have to live
in black.
Anna’s full collection is now available online www. annascholz.com
or you can call 0208 964 2040 for your local stockists..
Cover larger upper arms with
a pretty shrug or bolero top.
7
The boho look is great for the
curvier lady, as long skirts are
in fashion rather than just
being a cover-up.
8
Don’t be afraid to show of
those legs, it’s not just the size
10’s who have the best pins.
Try wearing your
hemline on or just above the
knee...and remember that, high
heels can also lengthen the legs, so
don’t just wear flats!
9
If you’re heading for the
beach invest in a kaftan. You
won’t feel too trussed up and
it covers a multitude of flaws.
10
0
Get your head around your
curves and enjoy them.
Remember, the average
woman in the UK is a size 16. Don’t
be embarrassed by your shape -
make the most of it.
 Relax, you're in good hands…
124 Anerley Road, Anerley Plus size bridal, bridesmaids, Evening and Prom.
London SE20 8DL
Tel: 020 8659 8702 Prices start from: £595.00.
Mob: 0793 04 966 04
Book a styling consultation and design your own dress!
voluptuous@ntlworld.com
www.ouiido.com Try as many dress as you want in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

www.voluptuousbrides.net By appointment. Closes at 8pm on Thurs.

 www.biggirlsboutique.com
Free Summer Blouse Offer
For Work Suit Orders in June or July
Order a work suit in the months of June or July and receive a free summer blouse in a
colour of your choice for each suit you purchase
Coming soon
www.elegantcurves.net
Affordable ready made Big girls Boutique offers you elegant unique and affordable tailor made large ladies
clothing for curvy girls
clothing.

All clothing is made to fit you whatever your size or shape, all clothing can be made
Telephone 0870 803 in the colour and design of your choice don't be afraid to contact us to discuss your
number 2628 requirements

News fashion health diets

SizeNet
Europe's leading
Be
surgery ballet Katie Price
Lingerie mens wear drugs
health care hospitals
website for
Size & Self acceptance

www.sizenet.com informed
weight loss shopping
books jewelery Beth Ditto
self acceptance attitude
we provide the Make you own choices
information so you
can make your own
size 0 models Lo Rider
decisions about your life discrimination schools
 Diet On
The Dance Floor
Meet The Stars
Karen Hardy:

Karen Hardy is instantly recognisable as

one of the professional dancers on Strictly
Come Dancing (BBC1), having won the
competition in 2006 with partner,
cricketer Mark Ramprakash. Karen is also
the former UK, International, World
Masters and British National Champion of
Latin American dance.

Karen has been dancing since the age of

five and turned professional in 1994. She
went on to win numerous worldwide
competitions before retiring from
competitive dance in 1999. She then
moved into dance teaching and
adjudicating and was awarded the
coveted title of Teacher of the Year in
2002 and 2003.

Karen has appeared in numerous TV

shows including the Channel 4 series
Faking It (Series 4), and came out of
retirement to join the third series of the
BBC 1's television series Strictly Come
Dancing. Karen is married to her long
time partner Conrad and they have a
three year old son.

Matthew Cutler:

In recent years Matthew has achieved

success and nation-wide recognition as
a dancer on BBC1's Strictly Come
Dancing, but it is the last series of Strictly
that Matthew will be mostly remembered
for. He sensationally partnered singer
Alesha Dixon and danced their way to
victory beating actor Matt Di Angelo and
his dancer Flavia Cacace in a final that
was watched by 11.4 million viewers,
giving a performance that was
described by the judges as "flawless".
Matthew described the win as “a
dream come true”.

Matthew's love for Latin American and

Ballroom dance started when he was
just eight years old in a local church Hall
in Southend, Essex. With a passion of
dancing instilled, Matthew went on to
conquer the world of Latin and
Ballroom competitive dancing winning
over 30 national and international
competitions and going onto become
World and European Champion with his
partner Nicole.

Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith,
Sports Physician:
MBBS DRCOG MRCGP MSc Sport Ex
Med MFSEM(UK)

Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith is a Sports

Physician at Pure Sports Medicine in
London. Formerly a G.P, Catherine has
been working with a wide range of
people involved at all levels of sport
since 2000. She was a sports physician
at the 2002 Commonwealth Games,
has extensive experience in Marathon
Medicine, and is a Lecturer in Sport and
Exercise Rehabilitation at Bangor
University in Wales. She has been a
Sports Medicine advisor to several
television productions, and she
regularly writes for publications such as
'220 Triathlon'.

Through her work with Bangor

University, she has gained experience in
exercise for people with medical
problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis
and obesity. She is keen to help people
who want to lead a more active and
healthy lifestyle, or those who have
previously shied away from sport and
activity, perhaps because of their size,
fitness level or a history of joint problems.

STYLIST / MENTOR
Nick Ede:

An expert in celebrity, fashion and

lifestyle, Nick has worked with some of
the biggest celebrity and lifestyle
names in the world. Nick was most
recently seen as a judge on Project
Catwalk 3 for Sky One, offering views to
the contestants and working along side
host Kelly Osbourne. He is the lifestyle
expert on GMTV and LK Today as well as
being the celebrity correspondent for
the hit Canadian entertainment show,
E! Talk Daily for CTV. Nick's other on-
screen TV credits include; Jordan and
Peter Laid Bare (ITV2), Michelle and
Andy's Big Day (ITV2), Taste (Sky One),
the Russell Grant show (Sky One), Pete's
PA (LIVING), Richard and Judy
(Channel 4), Secret Life of
Celebrities (Five), Celebrities
Exposed (ITV2) and Deadline
(ITV2). Nick also runs a very
successful bespoke celebrity
lifestyle agency where he
facilitates the lives of celebrities
and private clients working on a
wide range of projects from press
Diet On
The Dance Floor
to PR, fashion, styling, interiors,
events and weddings and has
recently launched his new
website www.ihatemylook.com

some credit
What a summer – full of doom and
gloom, while the sun tries her
hardest to shine! Try as hard as I
might, it is proving to be impossible
to blank out the escalating credit
crisis. Each night I am convinced
the supermarket staff perform a mad
dash around the store, changing
prices on the shelves. How else
could tins of mushy peas have gone
up 17p in just 2 weeks?! Enough of
my obsession with mushy peas …
The credit crunch seems to be
spiralling out of control and if
financial experts are to be believed,
what we have seen so far is just the
tip of a very deep iceberg. But who
needs to be reminded that we
£ £
should have saved for a rainy day
while everything was plentiful? Not
me! There's always another
beautiful pink handbag waiting for
me to release it from captivity or pair
of uncomfortable, impractical
shoes waiting to be exercised on
cobbled streets.
The latest news shock has been
Marks & Spencer's announcement
of 5% losses in just three months.
Now, I have my own theories on
that, not least that they have
stopped stocking over size 24
clothes on their shop-floors. Maybe
we've voted with our feet and taken
our “fat pound” (what a phrase!)
elsewhere? No, surely that cannot
be the whole reason behind their
downturn in profits. …
As a holistic therapist, I am always
keen to keep a close eye on the
financial markets. After all, a
downturn in our economy usually
heralds a slowing of business for
complementary therapists as
Give yourself
people cut back on 'luxuries',
particularly beauty product sales
which are the first to take a sharp
nose-dive as we batten down the
hatches.
So you can imagine my surprise –
and delight - when I came across
research from the United States
indicating that despite the US
economy heading into a recession,
the natural and organic sector of
the cosmetics and toiletries
markets has seen a 20% increase.1
These figures are in sharp contrast
with the traditional beauty and
skincare markets, who have seen a
7% decrease in sales from April –
June 2008.2
£
£
£ £
£
£
£
£
£
£ research paid off handsomely
£
£ therapist, including the
What a huge difference in sales
figures! A sure indication that we
are slowly moving away from the
chemical-laden beauty products
of yesteryear to a more natural way
of caring for our skin. Big brands, in
common with the smaller skincare
companies, are finding that
organic and natural personal care
products are a real winner with
today's savvy, educated customer
who closely inspects labels for any
suspicious-looking ingredient in a
By Callie Carling
move to sweep their lives clear of
toxic products.
I have to put my hands up and
admit that discovering the wonders
of natural and organic skincare was
more than just a happy accident. It
coincided with a time in my life
where my skin was very unhappy
and, as a single mother, money was
in short supply. A friend introduced
me to the wonders of rosa
mosqueta (rosehip) oil but at
something like £14 for 30ml,
including postage, it was a steep
price to pay for a moisturiser yet it
made a huge difference to my
complexion and I began to feel
that my face was actually my face
again, rather than a piece of
antique, fragile parchment paper.
Learning more about oils and
suitability for different skin types
became something of an obsession
with me, as did finding products
which would do the same job but at
a more affordable price. The
when it came to training as a holistic
immeasurable difference which
special, organic oils had made to
my skin.
Although we may be starting to feel
the pinch of the credit crunch, it
does not mean that we have to
stop treating ourselves and our
bodies to kisses from Mother
Nature's divine garden. Far from it!
With so much interest in keeping
ourselves looking beautiful without
harming ourselves or our
environment, I receive many, many
enquiries from people who know of
my passion for keeping skincare as
natural as possible. The most
common question is “what types of
oils can I use on my skin?”. To fully
appreciate our own unique skin
structure and what works for us as
individuals, I now offer a personal
service* where specially-selected
organic oils are hand-blended for
you, and only you! Beautifully-
presented with hand-written labels
in blue PET recyclable bottles, they
are a gift to yourself and also a
perfect idea for presents.
Personalised skincare really does * Holistic Feathers personalised
not need to cost the earth – either in facial oil blends - from £4.99 (30ml)
terms of our ecological and plus postage, initial consultation fee
environmental factors, or in terms of applies. Personalised body oil
pennies! Why not give yourself blends are also available, just £7.99
some credit and investigate the (75ml spray bottle) plus postage.
amazing possibilities out there in We also stock Raw Gaia raw,
keeping yourself looking beautiful, organic, vegan, living skincare
at minimal cost to your purse and products.
our world?
1“The North American Market for Natural & Organic Personal Care Products: Market Assessment and Forecasts” – Research
and Markets, posted on Business Wire.com, 1st July 2008.
2Karen Grant, Global Industry Analyst for Beauty,
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printededition/monday/business/ny-bzcov5746928jun30,0,7153722.story,
Keiko Morris, 30th June 2008.

Just As Beautiful Magazine Awards

&
Britain’s Next Plus Model

Coming Soon!!
for futher info or to apply

TEL: 020 8453 7185

07043 020 287
or
email: info@justasbeautiful.co.uk
Claire Young
Lands Top Job After Apprentice

Remember Claire Young that was favourite

to win BBC's ‘The Apprentice’ this year but
lost out to Lee McQueen? Well, Claire has
clenched a £100,000 a year job at
Birmingham City Football Club.

Claire, who notably said she'd rather kiss Sir

Alan Sugar than a snake, caught the eye of
Birmingham FC's Managing Director, Karren
Brady, in the interview task. She told Sir Alan
that if he doesn't hire Claire, she would - and
made good on her offer.

According to Claire, the total package is

worth more than what she would have got
from Sir Alan. Well done!
The Competitors:
Amy Saunders – 10 stone
Age: 29
Single Amy was dumped by her
fiancé last year just a few months
before she was due to get married
… she even had the dress and
honeymoon booked. However this
was not her first attempt at marriage
as she was engaged before. Since
the break-up newly single Amy has
been picking up the pieces of her
life and now feels it's time for a fresh
start. Learning how to dance has
been one of her life-long ambitions
and if lucky enough to win Diet on
the Dancefloor she would be able
to start the new phase of her life w
with a sense of achievement. She is
a strong and determined lady who
has a softer side and will cry over
the smallest thing. She gets along
with most people but if someone is
rude to her she won't shy away from
confrontation.

Carlene Moreno – 14 stone

Age: 24

Carlene loves to be the centre of

attention and can be prone to the
odd strop if she isn't! Appearance is
essential for Carlene and she
openly admits to be being 'shallow'
… but she doesn't care. She would
like to lose weight so she can wear
nicer clothes and borrow outfits
from her thinner friends. She has
been with her husband for eight
years and wonders how he puts up
with her constant tantrums and
arguments over her weight. Her
food downfall is takeaways as she
NEVER cooks – even after her
Weight-Watchers meetings she'll
treat herself to a curry. Outspoken
but honest, Carlene isn't afraid of
telling people what she thinks,
whatever the consequence.
Kimberley McLean – 13 stone 2
disappeared. Prior to giving birth
Age: 23 Odette was a size 8 but post-baby
her size has shot up to a size 14 and
Party-loving yummy mummy of two now she just can't shake off that
loves to flirt and be the life and soul baby weight. She's desperate to
of the party. She's always on the lose the weight and get her much-
look out for 'fit' men when she goes needed self esteem back. Odette
out clubbing with her mates and has a real passion for dance and will
admits she gets a real buzz from thrive on the challenge of a
pulling men. Kimberley fell dancing competition – although
pregnant twice accidentally but fell her speciality is mostly in the
in love with being a mum despite grinding of hips and shaking her
booty to reggae and dance-hall
music.

Dale Gunston – 14 stone

Age: 39

Successful business man Dale

confident to those she meets – but always said that by the time he
deep down she's shy and insecure turned 40 he wants to be thin and fit
and constantly doubting herself. and hopes that taking part in Diet
Scared of meeting men due to her
size, Laura hopes that this
opportunity will boost her self-
confidence and prove to her family
and more importantly herself, that
she can achieve anything when
she puts her mind to it.

Odette Leigh-Wright – 11 stone 4

Age: 23
ending her relationship with the
Odette is one sassy lady with
children's dad. Being a mum has not
attitude from South London! Since
stopped her living an action-
giving birth to her baby girl a year
packed single women's life and by
ago Odette feels she has lost her
taking part in Diet on the Dancefloor
'sex-a-tude' – sexiness mixed with
she hopes to show mothers
attitude. She claims she still has the
everywhere that you CAN be sexy,
attitude to match her bright red
look good and feel fabulous even if
hair but her sexiness has all
you do have children. Confident
and bubbly Kimberley admits her
over-confident personality can
annoy people … on the Dancefloor will help him to
achieve this. During the past few
years his life has changed
Laura Barber – 12 stone dramatically – he left his wife and his
Age: 26 two children, after coming out and
is now currently living with his
Northern single girl Laura hopes that partner Mark. He lost everything in
by entering Diet on the Dancefloor his life but has now turned round the
she will get back her self- situation around and is good friends
confidence that she lost through with his ex-wife and is even
years of bullying at school. Her attending her wedding. Turning 40
motivation for taking part in the has always been a major turning
show is that later this year Laura is point for Dale and he's determined
travelling alone around the world for to shape up to mark the occasion.
eight months and is terrified of Working in a high powered desk job
having to fit into a bikini at the has made it difficult to exercise as
beach. Laura is a bubbly and out- much as he likes and now Mark feels
going girl who appears too the weight is slowly but steadily
creeping on. Mark has a fierce
competitive streak and relishes the boobs'. Mark hopes that by taking
chance of beating his competitors part in Diet on the Dancefloor will
to be crowned winner of Diet on the bring out his sporting competitive
Dancefloor. streak and believes he has the fire
and determination to win the
Edward Collins – 15.5 stone competition.
Age: 21
Marlon Williams – 18.5 stone
Age: 24

Marlon is a semi-professional ice-

body shape and size. His dream is
to lose the weight and bring out the
person he is destined to be …. a
superstar!
hockey player that failed to make
the team last season due to his
rapidly increasing weight. He still
lives at home with his family and is
laid-back and easygoing but can
be lacking in motivation and often
come across as lazy! A natural

Mark Jones – 18 Stone 6

Age: 34

Mark is an ex semi-professional
footballer from Liverpool. He piled
on the pounds when he was forced
Edward is a wannabe boy band
to stop playing football due to an
member from East London who
injury when he was 28 and is now
dreams of one day having a
determined to get fit and lose
successful music career but feels his
weight so he can find his true love
weight is holding him back. His main
and create the perfect family life
passion in life is singing and song-
he is longing for. Also from
writing but feels his performance is
Liverpool, Mark loves to crack a
hampered by his increasing weight
joke but recently feels the joke's on
gain since he gave up playing semi-
him as his friends have given him
professional rugby. He detests the
the nick-name 'tits' due to his 'man charmer and flirt, Marlon is currently
cheesy 'Westlife' style routines and
would love to learn how to dance looking for love, but is finding it hard
properly. A real mummy's boy Eddie as the type of girls he wants to
still lives at home with his mum who attract are just not interested in him.
raised him single-handily and sees He puts this down to being over-
the show as a means of securing a weight so he's determined to tone
better life for the both of them. and shape up to pull the woman of
his dreams.
Jaiden Michael – 16 stone
Age: 25
Celebrity obsessed Jaiden is a
cheeky Scouser with a big ego.
Confident and cheeky, Jaiden loves Diet On The Dance Floor
to mix with the Liverpool celebrity is aired at 9pm,
and fashionista set and aspires to be Wednesday's on UK
the new Perez Hilton due to his daily Living
on-line celebrity gossip blog. He
loves fashion and works hard on
perfecting his variety of 'looks', some
of which don't work because of his
 THE PLUS-SIZE SPORTS AND
DANCE
INITIATIVE

www.plussizesportsdance.co.uk

This is a British initiative to get more people who are

considered
overweight or obese to exercise in environments where
they are
comfortable; among people that they can identify with.
In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes
for swimming
lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to
get involved in
sports with like-minded people, look no further.

For further information send an email to:

info@plussizesportsdance.co.uk
 www.goutfree.co.uk

THE PLUS-SIZE SPORTS AND DANCE

INITIATIVE

www.plussizesportsdance.co.uk

This is a British initiative to get more people who are considered

overweight or obese to exercise in environments where they are
comfortable; among people that they can identify with.
In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes for swimming
lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to get involved in
sports with like-minded people, look no further.

For further information send an email to:

info@plussizesportsdance.co.uk