THE NEW ME!

A photo was all the motivation Charmaine Kinnear, 40, needed to finally feel happy in her own skin

- FIONA FORD

As the music vibrated through the bar, I moved my body to the beat. ‘Having a good time?’ my best friend Patrice, then 38, asked.

I smiled and nodded. My job as an emergency care assistant working with paramedics was exhausting and hard, so a night out with a friend was my perfect way to relax.

I was about to say as much when side of the bar caught my eye. Tall with blue eyes, he started weaving his way through the crowds towards me.

‘You’ve got such a pretty face,’ he said smoothly. ‘I’ve always wanted to date a bigger girl.

SIZE NOVELTY

My cheeks suddenly burnt with embarrassment. It wasn't me he liked, it was the novelty of my size. And it wasn't the first time I'd had a man flirt with me simply because they liked the idea of being with a bigger woman.

It was June 2019 and at 5ft 6in, I weighed 21st and wore a size 26. Although I was bigger than my friends and colleagues, my size didn't stop me from feeling good. I took care of my skin, loved styling my hair and wearing nice clothes that accentuated my curves. And although I'd been single for a long time, I didn't want to be someone's novelty girlfriend. My life was too full for that.

Not only did my job keep me busy, but I also worked as a volunteer manager for St John Ambulance. With such an active work and social life, not to mention regular gym visits, it was a wonder I was as heavy as I was.