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gofree

Founder of clothesFREE

From: Hong Kong

Registered: 2006-07-18

Posts: 1,179

Millions of people have seen me naked!

After having children, Taryn Brumfitt, 35, from Adelaide, Australia, hated her post-pregnancy figure so much she'd cry whenever she saw it. But, after losing, then gaining weight, she finally found the confidence to love her body - and share it with the world.

As I read the thousands of comments from strangers under a naked picture of myself, I couldn't stop beaming proudly. It had taken so much courage to put up my "before" and "after" pictures on Facebook and I couldn't believe the response I'd had.

I'd always been a slim size 8 before I had my first child, Oliver, seven years ago in July 2006. But instead of springing back into shape after giving birth, my tummy remained lumpy and wobbly.

And things only got worse when I had my second son, Cruz, in July 2008 and my daughter, Mikaela, 15 months after that, in October 2009.

I loved being pregnant, watching my body make room for my growing baby. But it was after the babies were born and my body was my own again that I hated myself.

My husband, Mathew, 40, reassured me but nothing he'd say helped. It was worse in the shower, where every lump, bump and stretch mark was on show.

As I struggled to regain my figure, I contemplated plastic surgery. A boob job and tummy tuck seemed the quick fix to regaining control of my body. I even had a consultation.

But when I got home and saw Mikaela, I knew I couldn't go through with it. 'How can I teach her to be proud of her body when I have to resort to going under the knife to feel happy with mine?' I realised.

So I started making changes to feel better about myself. I could do things to improve my body naturally. I ate healthily and got a personal trainer. As well as cardio, she made me use weights to tone up. I was soon delighted to see results.

But I still wasn't prepared when, in January 2012, my trainer suggested I enter a sports figure contest, one of the sections of a local bodybuilding competition.

So I started training six days a week and cut out all processed foods and alcohol. Instead, I'd fill up on protein-rich foods like chicken and had plenty of vegetables.

I'd lost two stone five pounds, but I still wasn't happy. Yes, my body was toned, but this was just as unhealthy as my life beforehand - maybe not physically but mentally.

I couldn't enjoy nights out as I was worried about what I could eat. And I was spending less time with my family as the training took over. There was no balance. I knew it wasn't going to last. As soon as I stepped off the stage, I relaxed my diet and cut down my gym sessions.

Yes, I gained a stone-and-a-half but my confidence didn't drop. In fact, with every pound I gained, it increased. Finally, I was happy with myself.

But my journey had taught me one thing - that I couldn't be the only woman who was feeling down about the toll life, kids and gravity took on their bodies. So in November 2012, I set up the Body Image Movement – a website to teach people to be healthy but also to be happy.

I decided to go further. So, plucking up every shred of confidence I had, I posted my naked photos online again. Within two weeks the post was viewed more than 3.6 million times and nearly 20,000 people shared it on Facebook.

Yes, some people left horrible messages. But most were overwhelmingly positive with women saying how much they admired me, how I'd made them look at their bodies in a different - happier - way.

I'm pleased I've helped them - and to be able to say I love my body, every inch of it.

Taryn was inspired to start her body image campaign while watching her daughter, Mikaela, play

2013.10.08 Reveal