The Body Diaries: Sophie

(tw: there is talk of disordered eating, so reader discretion is advised)

Give my readers a little introduction to you. Who are you and what are you about?

My name is Sophie and I am a 25-year-old primary school cover teacher. I’m a total bookworm, film buff and food lover.  My autobiography will inevitably be called “I Shouldn’t Have Eaten That”.

How would you describe your relationship with your body?

It’s a little complicated, as I’m sure most peoples’ relationships with theirs is! I’ve always struggled with body confidence. When I was younger, I had issues with eating. I even went through a patch of binging, purging and then starving myself around the age of 14/15. So, I definitely still have a troubled relationship with food and how I see my body. I’m very critical of myself so I’m definitely still working on accepting what I have and loving it for all of the lumps and bumps.

Tell me which 3 parts of yourself that you love the most?

I’ve thought long and hard about this and I definitely made a long mental list of all the parts I don’t love so much! I’ve settled on my eyes, my legs (I have finally accepted my chunky thighs for all their strength) and I’m learning to love my boobies after years of wishing they were bigger.

What is your go-to outfit that makes you feel like you’re the hottest person on earth?

I’ve always feel incredibly sassy and feminine in anything with a tie waist, so I can pretend my shape is that of a fantastic hourglass. I’ve never met a wrap dress that I didn’t like!

How do you try and get over the bad days you have with your body?

I try to partake in some self-care and give my body some TLC. I’ll take a nice hot bath with bath bombs aplenty, the scrub, condition, and slather myself in moisturiser until my neglected skin is silky smooth. Usually my bad body days depend on PMT and the joys of food intolerances. I try to be kind to it from the inside out with lots of water and a fresh pair of pyjamas never go amiss! Glamorous, I know!

What tips would you give your 12-year-old self about body confidence?

I’d tell her to stop weighing herself religiously for a start! And to try to stop comparing your body to everybody else’s. The labels inside their clothes mean very little! A bigger size does not dictate your worth. And DO NOT listen to those silly teenage girls when they mock you for being flat-chested: your boobs will appear eventually!

If you fancy seeing more of Sophie, you can find her on Twitter and Instagram!

Make sure to let me know you’re biggest achievement in terms of body confidence in the comments! Hannah x

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