AFTER giving birth to her first child aged 21, Holly Ramejkis felt like “damaged goods”.
She had gained weight, found herself with a “saggy jelly belly”, and was covered in stretch marks.
Holly Ramejkis spent years hating her ‘saggy jelly belly’ – but now she embraces itHave Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemum
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumThe 36-year-old thought she was ‘damaged goods’[/caption]
Two further pregnancies took an even greater toll on her body, and Holly hit rock bottom.
The now-36-year-old said: “I lost my identity.
“I gained five stone and had all these stretch marks.
“I thought I was damaged goods and no-one would want my new body so I battled with yo-yo dieting.”
Holly lived miserably until she turned 30, when something shifted, and she decided to take back control.
Instead of beating herself up over the changes in her appearance, she decided to embrace them.
“I embarked on a self-love journey, and I found myself again,” the mum-of-three, who struggles with dyslexia, said.
“I decided to embrace everything about me and put myself out there.
“It was scary, but it was worth it.”
As part of this journey, Holly shared her story on Instagram (@thebodypositivemum).
She regularly posted pictures of her “saggy” skin and overhanging pouch to empower others.
Holly even went to several auditions, and now models lingerie and clothes for several high street brands, including River Island and Boa Boa.
The parent, who has more than 43,000 followers, said: “We are so conditioned by society and social media that our bodies shouldn’t look a certain way, but let’s be honest, more people probably have a body like mine over a size 8 to 10.
“It’s very rare to see a mid-size body represented in sexy lingerie, but I know from my followers that I am inspiring them.
“I’ve made women look at themselves in a new light and I’m so proud of that.
“My body is normal. Anyone who has lost weight or has had kids and has a jelly belly now should still feel comfortable and sexy.
“I make it my mission to be honest and show all my lumps and bumps and loose skin – it’s empowering to be liked for who I really am.”
While the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, Holly has had her fair share of criticism.
“So many people get in touch to thank me for sharing a body that looks like theirs, but I’ve had trolls and negative comments too,” she said.
“One person called me a ‘lard a***’ and other trolls tell me to ‘put it away’ – but it all gives me fuel to do it more and love my body.
“Life has been quite a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned that every twist and turn has shaped me into who I am today.”
Anyone who has lost weight or has had kids and has a jelly belly now should still feel comfortable and sexy.
Holly Ramejkis
Holly also runs courses and photoshoots with Liberty Photography to help other women gain self-confidence and appreciate their bodies.
But social media and modelling has made her feel sexier than ever.
She said: “I remember seeing an ad pop up on Instagram asking for models of all shapes and sizes.
“I applied saying I felt that my body wasn’t represented enough in brands.
“You see beautiful slim models and stunning plus size models, but how often do you see mid-size saggy mum bodies?
“The day I got the message that I was selected, I froze.
“I was in complete and utter shock. Then I cried. Nothing like this has ever happened to me.”
Holly was whisked off to Marbella in Spain for a photoshoot for Boa Boa, which is run by TV presenter Nick Knowles‘ fiancée Katie Dadzie, who also models the underwear.
“The whole team were incredible,” Holly, who also models for Joe Browns and Studio, said.
“I feel like they have really got it right using everyday bodies and catering to curves and wobbly bits with comfortable stretchy fabrics.
“I felt amazing and, because I was so comfortable, I felt like I belonged in front of the camera.
“They made me feel like a complete goddess.
“I’m so grateful to Katie for believing in me and giving me the chance to help inspire women of my shape that anything is possible.”
Mum-of-two Katie, 33, who also owns a lactation cookie business, added: “I wanted Boa Boa to be a brand that helps to make women of all shapes and sizes feel confident and sexy.
“So frequently, underwear brands will only use tiny models, and this does nothing for older and or curvier women.
“It doesn’t help their self-esteem, but it also doesn’t indicate what the underwear will look like on them.
“Wearing a matching set of underwear can do loads to make you feel better about yourself.
“All of us modelling were mums in our 30s, and I thought that was a really lovely refreshing angle to have at a lingerie shoot.”
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumNow, Holly models lingerie and clothes for high street brands[/caption]
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumShe said: ‘Anyone who has a jelly belly should still feel comfortable and sexy’[/caption]
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumThe mum-of-three models for River Island and Boa Boa[/caption]
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumHolly said: ‘I battled with yo-yo dieting’[/caption]
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumBoa Boa is run by Nick Knowles’ fiancée Katie Dadzie, who also models the underwear[/caption]
Have Your Say Stories/@thebodypositivemumKatie showcasing lingerie sold by the brand in Marbella, Spain[/caption]
Weight changes during and after pregnancy
MOST women gain between 22lb (10kg) and 28lb (12.5kg) during pregnancy, with most being put on after week 20.
A lot of this extra weight is due to the baby growing, but the body also stores fat in preparation to make breast milk.
While putting on too much can affect your health and your baby’s, most minor weight gain is normal and safe.
The NHS urges mums-to-be to stay active while pregnant and to continue normal daily activity and exercise unless told otherwise.
There is also no need to “eat for two”, with extra food not needed until the third trimester.
Even then, people only need to up their intake by about 200 calories per day (equivalent to about two slices of plain bread or 150g of low fat yoghurt and a banana).
After giving birth, women’s weight journeys vary hugely. Some will lose their extra weight rapidly, while others may put more on.
When you’re feeling tired, being active may seem like the last thing you want to do. But regular activity can keep you fit, give you energy, help prevent postnatal depression, and aid weight loss.
If you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise (such as walking and stretches) as soon as you feel up to it.
The NHS recommends waiting until your six-week postnatal check before starting high-impact exercise.
Some simple ways to work out include:
Pushing a pram or buggy briskly
Playing energetic games with older children
Using the stairs instead of the lift
Walking short journeys instead of driving
Swimming
At-home exercise videos
Source: NHS