As I walked down the street, bag swinging against my hip, I tried to ignore the stares from passers-by. I raised my chin a little higher, determined not to let them get under my skin. After all, it wasn’t as if I could help the way I looked.
It was January 2023 and I’d resolved that this year I wouldn’t let strangers’ comments or staring upset me. It was hard though.
For decades I’d been subjected to cruel, mocking giggles, or been the butt of hurtful jokes. And all because I had been blessed, or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with a larger than average bra size of 40G.
EARLY STARTER
It all started when I was a child. I was the only one in year four of school that needed a bra. And my boobs just continued to grow.
As a teen, I always had the biggest breasts out of all of my friends and by the time I was 24, I was wearing a 40G bra. While a lot of men and women complimented me on my naturally big bust, others would mock me. I spent most of my day sitting at a desk and the extra weight on my chest caused neck and shoulder pain along with headaches.
After I married Eddie, now 45, and we went on to have our children Brianna, now 25, Victoria, 24, Katheryn, 13, and Willow, five, my breasts began to knock my confidence even more.
I couldn’t walk for more than half an hour without needing to sit down because the weight of my breasts pulling on my neck and shoulders now left me in agony. I was still suffering from daily migraines and headaches, not to mention that my bra straps would leave near-permanent indentation marks in my back and shoulders.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MUM'S LEGACY WILL LIVE ON
For Victoria Hislop, her mum’s festive spirit is the best gift she could have hoped for
HOW THE OTHER HALF DO CHRISTMAS
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on posh Christmases, bums and jumpers
HE TOOK MY TWIN FROM ME
For Nicole Rawlings, 31, the new year only brings painful memories
Get the GOSS!
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories
I MADE MY HUSBAND CHOOSE ME OR HIS PARENTS
Amanda*, 46, gave her husband a seemingly impossible ultimatum
SWAPPED AT BIRTH
After 55 years, two women discovered they'd been living a life that had never been meant for them
CLEVER COCKTAIL SWAPS
Christmas is just around the corner, which for many of us means a drink or two to celebrate.
Happy New Year!
From hitting the town to a cosy night in, say hello to 2005 ina suitably stylish look
'MARRIAGE ISN'T IMPORTANT TO ME'
Emmerdale's Lisa Riley on her relationship and why she won't leave the soap again
ALISON TO REPLACE CAT?
It seems there's trouble at This Morning as Cat Deeley is said to feel 'overlooked' by bosses