On body positivity and chocolate

A few years ago, I started following a load of "fitspo" accounts on Instagram.

You know, they post gym selfies, colourful vegan meals and transformation pics showing how their bodies have gone from flat-stomach to defined-abs.

And you follow them in the hope that they might inspire you to be fitter, healthier, stronger, slimmer and better.

That they might help you lose a few pounds, muster the motivation to go to the gym when you just want to go home, and find the strength to resist the box of biscuits when it's passed round the office.

Lord knows it's bloody hard.

(Re the above: never get between a woman and a chocolate fountain.)

But I've recently realised that these Instagram accounts aren't helping me at all.

Because whenever I see pictures of these tiny women with their thigh-gaps, bikini-bridges and slim, toned bodies, it doesn't inspire me, it makes me feel bad about my own body.

I don't look like them. I have a wobbly tummy and a layer of squidge all over my body. I'm not even sure if I have ribs, collar- or cheekbones because you sure as hell can't see them.

Now I'm sure the women behind these Instagram accounts did not set out to make others feel bad about their looks.

I'm sure they want to inspire us.

But I've realised that's not what's happening to me.

I applaud the influencers lifting the curtain and revealing how you can make your body look completely different based on how you stand.

❌THIS IS NOT A TRANSFORMATION PHOTO❌ I've jumped on the #30secondbeforeandafter 🕐 challenge and have decided after much hesitation to share this photo. In the photo on the left I am tilting my pelvis forward, bloating my stomach as much as possible (btw I've got mad bloating skills), hunching my shoulders and slumping. In the photo on the right, I'm standing tall, I'm flexing my stomach, my spine is in proper alignment. Girls, for me this photo really reaffirmed how important it is to take your progress photos with the same posture, lighting, etc. It's not about how big of a transformation you've had. It's not about how skinny you appear to be or how heavy you were when you started your journey. It's not about how you compare to other girls who are on the same week as you. I'll tell you what it IS about: strength, integrity, fortitude--things we strive for each and every day that we wake up and choose to be honest with others, but first and foremost, honest with ourselves about our insecurities, our hopes, our struggles, our triumphs. At first this picture embarrassed me. I wasn't going to share it and I've hung onto it for days debating. I'm doing it now because it's REAL. So jump on the bandwagon or don't--either way, let's work together to keep this community transparent and goal driven! #transformationtuesday #not #honest

A post shared by Cristina Stief (@cristinastief) on Nov 10, 2015 at 6:19pm PST

However more than that, I applaud body-positivity Instagrammers.

I recently decided to replace fitspo with body-posi, and d'you know what? I feel much better about myself.

When I first came across bodyposipanda, all I could think was "YAAAASSSS! My body looks like that! This is what most women look like! And she's BEAUTIFUL!"

Rocking my belly rolls ✔ seeing the beauty in my softness ✔ refusing to apologise for the space I take up ✔ feeling powerful as fuck ✔ 💜💙💚🌈🌞 · Lingerie by @curvykate - I did this shoot with them as part of a project that you'll see more of next week! Also - they chose all the shots, how refreshing that a lingerie brand would choose a photo with tummy squish being celebrated! ✨ Photo by @alisonvwebster 🌸

A post shared by Megan Jayne Crabbe 🐼 (@bodyposipanda) on Mar 15, 2017 at 1:32pm PDT

I'm pretty sure the majority of women dislike their bodies which is totally sad. But I think the reason for that is we're told we have to be slim and toned, yet also have boobs and a bum and a waist and look womanly AND PRACTICALLY NONE OF US LOOK LIKE THAT!

Our bodies just don't do that.

And stressing out about not being slim takes up so much valuable brain space.

Think about how much more we could achieve if we stopped thinking about our bodies all the time?

I don't look like a Victoria's Secret model or a fitness blogger because I really really like chocolate.

I love it so much.

And this is why I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Ferrero Rocher and giving you guys the chance to win some delectable choccies.

They are hundy P some of my favourite chocolates of them all because I live for the chocolate-hazelnut combo - the crunchy roasted hazelnut pieces, the crisp wafer shell, the smooth chocolate...

Excuse me while I wipe drool off my keyboard.

The texture is so unique and I genuinely don't think there's any occasion that wouldn't be improved by a Ferrero Rocher (or three).

So here's what I want you to do: eat chocolate, enjoy it, and don't let yourself feel guilty afterwards.

It's not easy, it's really hard in fact (the not feeling guilty part - the eating part is exceptionally easy). I get food guilt really badly, but we need to stop being so hard on ourselves.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and nourishing our bodies is important, but so is loving them.

And I don't know about you but chocolate makes me happy.

So enter below and win yourself some delicious chocolatey goodness!

Firstly, you should head to Ferrero Rocher's Facebook page and enter their March competition to win a dinner party for four cooked in your own home. The prize includes a starter, main course and the Dolce dessert plate, alongside drinks pairings, which sounds pretty sweet to me.

Oh, I've actually had the dessert plate and can confirm it is sweet as a nut. (Runners up get boxes of Ferrero Rocher too!)

You literally just comment on one of their posts to enter so you'd be a fool not to, really. A FOOL!

But that's not all, folks. I've also got a lovely little giveaway for you to enter.

I'm so thrilled to have five of these insanely awesome giant Ferrero Rochers (see pic further up this post) to give out to you lovely people so you can enjoy the chocolatey nutty goodness and feel fabulous and sassy and gorgeous like you are.

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So tell me, chums: how do you make sure to focus on feeling body positive and enjoying delicious things like Ferrero Rocher?