So, after years and years of trying all sorts of diets & daily exercise and losing weight & inches at a snail's pace (I lost 3 stone and not 1 inch came off my arms or legs) I decided to pay my GP a visit as I figured I might just have a problem; lymphedema, diabetes, venous disease...and to cut a very long story short which includes 6 Doctors, 4 clinics, several tests, my own personal research along with a trip to a private Vascular Surgeon I now have an official diagnosis of lipoedema (stage II I think)

'Lipoedema tends to start at puberty or at other times of hormonal change, such during pregnancy or the menopause. This suggests hormones may also have an influence. Although the build-up of fat cells is often worse in obese people, and unfortunately is very resistant to diet and exercise, lipoedema isn't caused by obesity and can affect people who are a healthy weight. It's caused by a problem with the lymphatic system (a network of vessels and glands that help fight infection and drain excess fluid from tissues)"

"From an extensive survey done in the UK, the average age of diagnosis is 44"

44!? and it tends to start at puberty...It's just tragic isn't it.

Aside from the frustration of keeping to a calorie deficit, strict food & exercise regime, only losing weight very slowly and also not reducing the size of my limbs 🙄 I have a great life 🥰 I'm very active. I get about. A lot. My mobility and skin is great and I, generally, have no pain just some discomfort at times (especially if I have gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar which I really try not to have) Most of my symptoms occur in the evenings and in the mornings; restless legs along with 'slicing' sensations, swelling and heat. Also ironically after exercise but compression helps.

My goals in life have now changed. I'm not just trying to lose weight to go to this or that event, or to fit into this or that outfit, my main goal now is to not get any bigger, to not get to stage III or IV. I'm continuously learning about my own personal inflammatory triggers and the way my body reacts to different foods & types of exercise. Plus I love exercising now and the way it all makes me feel 🤗

Some people haven't got it as 'easy' as me. Lipoedema, from what I've read, heard and seen can be very painful and affect mobility and skin and can be detrimental to mental health. Especially when Doctors repeatedly ask you if you've 'considered trying to lose weight?' or ask you if you've 'considered trying exercise?' and then proceed to write obesity on your medical notes 🙄 Society and the need to 'look 'perfect' and be the 'perfect weight' doesn't help either.

So what better way to spread awareness and embrace and accept the way we are?

Do a naked swim! 🙌😂 (in the summer when it's a bit warmer) Swimming & moving in water is a great way to get the lymph moving but I normally do it with a cozzie on 😉

I did initially consider a skinny dip on Brighton beach and me & G would have a day & a night out there but seeing as the pollution is even worse these days I've decided to stick to a swimming pool.

Who knew that they do these naked swims in leisure centres all over the country!?

G has always been really supportive with my mad fundraising ideas (the last one he agreed to was the London to Brighton cycle challenge 💪 and we all know how that panned out 😅) but he's drawing the line at this one...

Lipoedema UK was established 2010 and is a very informal but informative group. They offer weekly webinars, for a small annual membership fee, that give valuable information and techniques on how to manage and deal with this condition. There are also talks given from Lipoedema experts from all over the world as Lipoedema is not just in the UK, it's global.

"Ever wondered what happens at our Thursday evening sessions? Or how useful they are? Our sessions are all around Lipoedema - wellness, health, information, awareness and education. We are fortunate to have an array of reknowned speakers too, as well as a core Clinical Advisor team who know their stuff. We record many of the sessions and they are available to members on request, so if Thursday is not a good day for you, you will not miss out. All this for just £25 per year (and it hasn't risen for 12 years!). You can find out about the sessions and the other membership benefits here: https://www.lipoedema.co.uk/membership/

Head to Link in Bio, select Get Involved and then Membership. Please do come and join us, and support us to continue our work!"

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