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It’s time to kill that old New Year’s resolution about losing weight. Right? The New Year, new You thing has been disappointing women for method as well long. Unless you’re under doctors orders to lose weight, you have no reason to tension about what the scale says — since I’ll bet you’re fabulous just the method you are.
Don’t resolve to lose weight this year — the only resolution you requirement is a body positive one!”
This year, resolve to love as well as accept your body the method it is. As inspiration, I’ve enlisted the assist of fashion entrepreneur Anne Claire Isabella, owner of Ikapela Designs. Anne, who’s been both a size 6 as well as a size 16, shares exactly how she’s kept the self-love going during and after a weight transition.
One Body positive Journey
Budget Fashionista: Anne, can you introduce yourself to the Budget Fashionista community?
Anne: Sure! My name is Anne Claire Isabella. Isabella in Hawaiian is Ikapela, hence the name of my store: Ikapela Designs. I’m 53 years young as well as love my life. I’ve been married for over 32 years as well as have three wonderful grown children and one grandson with one more grandchild on the way…HOORAY!
Professionally, I’ve been working from house for the last 10 years. I utilized to be a Merchandising manager (a fancy phrase for buying things with other people’s money). I love it.
Then my other half as well as his company partner needed a third wheel as their company was growing. I was a ideal match. Over the years I tried different things to stay hectic in my “off time,” — painting, writing, photography. Had fun however ultimately discovered sewing. I’m self taught as well as actually started sewing five years ago. That’s when I started selling my clothes on Etsy, as well as now on AmazonHandmade.
His team Lava Lava as well as Her Pareo/Sarong matching Hawaiian Polynesian wrap, skirt, cloth – special Order only – Made in Hawaii by Ikapela Designs
Budget Fashionista: I understand you managed with a weight transition. Can you explain exactly how your weight changed as well as over what period of time?
Anne: When I got married I weighed 120 lb. as well as wore size 6. I’ve always had a big okole (rump) as well as I considered it my biggest ASSet. ? I never realized exactly how great food might taste (sorry mom!…she fed us healthy and proper portions) up until I met my husband. He was in the restaurant business at the time. I started to gain a little weight, to perhaps a size 8 or 10.
Then I started having children. After my very first I was just starting to lose the weight when I got expecting with my second child. then life got truly hectic between work, home, children, etc. Ten years after my second, we had our last child. At that point, I was a size 12 or 14, however still felt healthy as well as happy.
Over the years of eating lunch with the manager or buying fast food I gained much more weight. I still did well on my physicals though, with great cholesterol levels and blood pressure. I was never into exercise either. No one in my household was.
Budget Fashionista: Did you ever feel panic about the weight?
Anne: I can actually keep in mind the day I thought, ‘I believe I’m getting fat.’ It was the morning after a weekend of holiday parties. My fingers were swollen as well as my rings felt tight (I never take my rings off). I lifted my head to stretch as well as wondered why I might feel the back of my neck with my head. Yikes, my back was fat.
Budget Fashionista: Some women who gain weight go with a grieving period of sorts for the “way they were.” Did that occur to you?
Anne: Over the last 10 years, the one thing I grumble about is not being able to wear my heels any type of more. When I started gaining weight, I developed Plantar fasciitis so I started having to wear Jesus sandals exclusively. I liked them as well as much more importantly, they are good for your feet. Heels on the other hand are not great for your feet. They’re great for your ego, which is most likely why I miss them sometimes.
When I believe back at all the times I was thin, the only regret I have is that I didn’t take advantage of being thin. I always wore loose-fitting clothes. however I was so thin I don’t believe I looked healthy at all.
Budget Fashionista: What guidance do you have for women who are experiencing weight gain?
Anne: eat right, try to exercise, drink modestly as well as most important…be happy. believe pleased thoughts. surround yourself with positive people.If you hate your job: QUIT! You will discover a new task since you’re motivated to BE HAPPY!
Find clothes (like from my store) that scream: proud, happy, fun, comfortable as well as affordable. Wear great shoes. You’d be amazed exactly how far shoe makers have come with nice-looking shoes that are still great for your feet. Yes, even heels.
Budget Fashionista: What does the phrase ‘body positive’ imply to you?
Anne: Body positive means you love yourself. You do have to LOVE YOURSELF. Every curve, every wrinkle, every sun spot, every fold, every gray hair as well as every part of your body.
My arms work, my legs work, my eyes work (with a little assist sometimes), my digestive system works (again, a little assist sometimes). Yes, in some cases my weight doesn’t work (like in a size 12 or 14) however it will fit in a size 16 or 18. as well as that’s a great thing!
Budget Fashionista: Some women I understand treat weight gain as a “thing to be dealt with,” rather than a part of life. Have you experienced the same? Why do you believe women react so strongly to weight gain?
Anne: society tells us that we ought to be tall, thin, tan, blonde as well as wonderful as pie. YEAH RIGHT! I’m not sure where that village is, however I online in the genuine world.
Sometimes I do think, “I have to do something about this weight.” however then life, genuine life, slaps me in the face as well as says, “hurry up, you’ve got much better things to do.” Like work to pay for shelter, transportation, insurance. as well as love my husband, children as well as grandchild even much more than yesterday. as well as be there for family members going with worse things than being overweight, like cancer, loss of a loved one, divorce, etc.
When whatever else in our lives is going well, I assumption that leaves our weight to be next on the list. however does it truly requirement to be if we’re healthy, pleased as well as functioning in our lives?
Budget Fashionista: Your weight gain led to the launch of your business. Can you share much more details about that evolution?
Anne: When I stated my store I made pillowcases, pillow covers, etc. When I moved to apparel, I thought, what is my niche? everybody says you have to have something that is needed, wanted as well as not as simple to discover as, say, bubble gum.
My niche is apparel for “real women.” I online in a neighborhood where my size 16/18 is average, or even on the smaller side.
I’ve actually only had two requests in the last four years for a size little for my blouses. If anything, I’ve had a number of requests for 5XL blouses, which I’ve filled as well as they loved them.
Budget Fashionista: Your Etsy store has amazing reviews — your customers clearly love you as well as your products. What’s your secret?
Anne: My trick is the personal touch. I acknowledge receipt of each order promptly with an email or, as Etsy calls it, a convo. I send out the orders best away, wrapped in beautiful tissue. I include a hand written note, my business card with a discount code written on the back as well as a little something additional (you’ll have to order something to discover out what that is).
Even my packaging includes a Mahalo (thank you) stamp and/or sticker. I commonly double-check with my customers to make sure my product will fit provided the measurements I provided on the description.
Readers, you can shop Ikapela Designs here.
I love Anne’s story as well as hope you did too. Here’s to body positive resolutions for 2017! now I’m going to go discover as well as donate all of my ‘target weight‘ clothes!
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