Melanie’s Story

Looking at my photos, one might think that stretch marks are not real scars. This may be true to a physical extent but emotional scars can run deep. 

I have these stretch marks because I used to weigh 30 kilo more some years ago. 

I have these stretch marks because I used to weigh 30 kilo more some years ago. 

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Having had a difficult childhood, I compensated for my emotional stress in overeating.

Having had a difficult childhood, I compensated for my emotional stress in overeating.

And the more I got bullied for being "too fat" the more I ate. A vicious cycle. 

And the more I got bullied for being "too fat" the more I ate. A vicious cycle. 

Random people calling me "fatty" in the streets led to me being very shy. I didn't have many friends because I thought no one liked me. Changing in front of the other girls when we had physical education made me always uncomfortable. 

Random people calling me "fatty" in the streets led to me being very shy. I didn't have many friends because I thought no one liked me. Changing in front of the other girls when we had physical education made me always uncomfortable. 

I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 24 because I always thought men wouldn't like me because I wasn't skinny and 'sexy' like the other girls. 

I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 24 because I always thought men wouldn't like me because I wasn't skinny and 'sexy' like the other girls. 

It was only in acting school after learning to accept my past and not be the victim of it that I started to feel comfortable in my own skin. Having let go of all these worries, I was also able to focus on achieving a weight that feels healthy for me…

It was only in acting school after learning to accept my past and not be the victim of it that I started to feel comfortable in my own skin. Having let go of all these worries, I was also able to focus on achieving a weight that feels healthy for me today. 

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be happy if I didn't have my stretch marks - yet they are a reminder of how far I have come and how hard I worked to lose what wasn't good for me. 

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be happy if I didn't have my stretch marks - yet they are a reminder of how far I have come and how hard I worked to lose what wasn't good for me. 

Beauty comes in all sizes and shapes - in the end it is all about embracing oneself and learning to be comfortable for who one is. And today I am proud to say I feel beautiful as I am.

Beauty comes in all sizes and shapes - in the end it is all about embracing oneself and learning to be comfortable for who one is. And today I am proud to say I feel beautiful as I am.