Out and About STYLE Magazine Issue 4 Vol. 2
Out and About STYLE Mag. was created out of the need to see more 'real people' in the media. As such, our content is completely celebrity-free. Instead, we focus on "real people living extraordinary lives" - People that can provide real inspiration. Our magazine is big on real stories and relatable topics. - Marsha Fry, Editor-in-Chief.
Out and About STYLE Mag. was created out of the need to see more 'real people' in the media. As such, our content is completely celebrity-free. Instead, we focus on "real people living extraordinary lives" - People that can provide real inspiration. Our magazine is big on real stories and relatable topics.
- Marsha Fry, Editor-in-Chief.
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pregnancy. I thought the weight would just go away as I was breastfeeding,<br />
or so I was told. However, I managed to lose 21 kg within the 18 months<br />
that followed. I was very happy with how I looked <strong>and</strong> this boosted my selfconfidence.<br />
Nonetheless, the fact that I still carried 9 kg from the start of<br />
pregnancy still daunted me a bit.<br />
I was ready to lose the 9 kg. I bought a three months supply of weight loss<br />
products, only to find out that I was pregnant again with our second child.<br />
Since I could not take any of the weight loss products, I told myself that I<br />
would watch what I ate. At the end of the pregnancy, I only gained 15 kg,<br />
which is what doctors say is normal, but the fact that I still had the 9 kg from<br />
the previous pregnancy unsettled me.<br />
I wanted to look my best for our most recent anniversary. I joined the gym in<br />
pursuit to lose weight before our trip to Bali. I searched for all the products<br />
that could help me lose weight quickly. However, whatever I tried, nothing<br />
seemed to work.<br />
MY EUREKA MOMENT<br />
In Bali, the time came to put on my bikini <strong>and</strong> then all of a sudden, the<br />
reason why I was always scared of what people may say about my body<br />
came to me. It was not that I was not happy with my body, but I did not love<br />
myself enough to fully accept at whatever weight I was at. I always looked<br />
at people to validate my beauty <strong>and</strong> how sexy I am. For the very first time<br />
in twenty years, I walked freely with my bikini on the beach without a care<br />
in the world. For the first time, I did not hate my big bum. Until I came to<br />
accept me at my heaviest, I don’t think I was ever going to love me at my<br />
smallest. I wasted twenty years of my life chasing an image I will never be.<br />
Ladies, please remember: you are not your body image—you are more<br />
than the number on the scale.<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
I am a thirty-two-year-old, South<br />
African woman, married to the<br />
most amazing <strong>and</strong> supportive<br />
man, Takie Ramulumo. We have<br />
two beautiful <strong>and</strong> very active<br />
boys, Wavhudi <strong>and</strong> Rivhavhudi.<br />
I am an educator <strong>and</strong> curriculum<br />
designer.<br />
I am a beautiful African woman, with a beautiful mind <strong>and</strong> soul, <strong>and</strong> I love<br />
myself just as I am.<br />
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