From covering up to cover girl
Loose Woman nadia sawalha tells Jenny Morrison acceptance is first step to finding joy in your body
A BEACH photograph taken two decades ago made Loose Woman Nadia Sawalha feel far from happy.
Snapped alongside Kaye Adams, she had gone on holiday with her TV panel co-stars – but bikini-clad Nadia looks like she is about to cry as she attempts to hide her body with her hands.
Now, more than 20 years on, Nadia has posted the black-andwhite throwback photo – taken by Carol McGiffin – on her social media, with an uplifting message.
The 58-year-old has also re-posted more recent snaps, wearing lingerie or near naked, including several where she pokes fun at seductive images shared by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Madonna.
Nadia says that while she will never be body confident, acceptance of how she looks – including any cellulite she has – has brought her joy.
She hopes her attitude will helps others who feel insecure about their bodies.
The former Eastenders actress said: “Cell U Lite … so the f*** what!!
“So much time wasted hating on myself. The black and white photo was taken by @the_ mcgiff 20 years ago.
“Look how unhappy
I was – horrified that a photo was being taken of me in a bikini – desperately trying to cover my body.
“Well, you can see from the pics decades later that body acceptance, not confidence (who is truly confident?), not body positive (I don’t really know what that means) but body acceptance is where to find the joy.
“Look how joyful I am. The world doesn’t stop turning if you can find a way to accept yourself.
“To anyone that’s letting the nasty voices live rent free in their head today, it doesn’t have to be like that forever. Trust me. I promise.” Referring to the old picture, Loose Women presenter Nadia added: “I can actually remember the moment @the_ mcgiff took the photo.
“I almost wanted to cry because I thought I was so ‘hideous’ – a word I used all the time to describe myself back then.
“It leaves me feeling so sad when I look back and think about how much of that holiday I wasted with ‘stinking thinking’ feeling ‘ugly’ comparing my figure constantly to @kaye adamsofficial and @the_mcgiff gorgeous bodies.
“What a bloody waste of time. It makes me so cross and, if I’m honest, leaves me a little ashamed that I was so unaware of the pointlessness of it all.
“Thank god I now have consciousness ... One day at a time I feel better.
“You can too, you know. Tell the nasty voices to bog off.”
The empowering images Nadia posted alongside the black-andwhite snap include one of her showing her cellulite and another jokingly mimicking a Kim K pic with angel wings.
Fans of the star rushed to praise her positive message.
One said: “You are inspirational and maybe one day I’ll find the courage to be more Nadia.”
Another added: “Thank you for all you do to normalise our wonderful bodies.”