So I got the chance to catch up with the four lucky ladies from my audition group who made it through to the Ms Curvaceous UK 2015 finals.  Find out all about their journeys here...

Introducing; 



1)      Why did you apply for MCUK?

Pippa: I originally entered MCUK in 2013 to boost my confidence as I had a few personal demons and wanted to change the way I felt about myself. I was unsure whether to attend the 2014 audition even though I had already entered online. On the morning of the audition I was still questioning my decision and then something hit me and I rushed around getting ready!

Serena: I have always been passionate about helping people and being able to inspire others. As part of being a Holistic Therapist it's my profession to make people feel good from the inside out. When searching online for Plus Size opportunities I came across Miss Curvaceous UK. I did not have a clue what it was but had a look and thought it sounded too good to be true. I applied thinking I would not hear back but I was wrong. The reason I applied was my main goal is to promote body confidence to all; especially the younger generation of today. It is so sad to see Women, Girls and even Men of today having a low self-esteem because of the Media and how it portrays us. I am determined to change this especially with encouraging Natural Beauty, Body Confidence and Positive Self Esteem.

Anastasia: I first applied for MCUK when I had just turned 17 and I wasn’t old enough to go to the over 18's venue. However, this didn't stop me! I went to the audition and I was the first one there. I was so nervous; I couldn't know how to stop shaking. That year I didn't pass, I was expecting not to.

Laurie: I applied for MCUK, because I've always been told that I look “curvaceously beautiful.” (Lol) A very good friend of mine; Elsa has also been supporting me to turn up at the auditions and have a go. I always felt that curvy women had something to offer to society and to the Fashion industry. I am a curves lover; I really think that curves are beautiful.

2)      When you found out that you were one of the top 20 finalists, how did you feel?

Pippa: When I found out I had got through to the final twenty I was over the moon! I had just got a new job starting Jan 2015 and all I could think was "wow, this is a great start to my 2015 and we are still in December 2014". I felt truly blessed!

Serena: When I found out I was in the Top 20 for Miss Curvaceous UK I was really speechless. When I attended the Auditions looking around the room you see so many Beautiful Girls and your perceptions of each other are completely different so you can never be too sure who is going to get thought from who's not.

 Laurie: I felt extremely honoured to be part of this wonderful experience. I already see it as an achievement as I have gained so much from it.

3)      What would being crowned “Ms Curvaceous UK 2015” mean to you?

Pippa: If I was to be crowned Ms Curvaceous UK 2015, it would mean a new chapter in my life. Although I am already on the road to self-acceptance and not trying to fit in to societies mold but to be myself, I would be changing the perception of modelling in today's society and be the best role model I can be for my nieces and all young girls and in fact boys of what a healthy body should look like.

Serena: If I was crowned Miss Curvaceous UK 2015 it would mean something that words and feelings could not describe. It would be unreal and truly a dream to represent Miss Curvaceous and finally be part of such an incredible team and movement.

Anastasia: If I were to be crowned MCUK 2015 it would mean the world to me! Not only to know that I have inspired other people to join the 'curvy' team... but because I have achieved something also for me! I love modelling, even though I'm not confident I actually enjoy it and winning the contest would just show I have learned everything I was taught and that I have moved up a step further.  It would be amazing. I would love to also use that to help people out there that are not as confident and are insecure and that don’t think they are good enough.  I would love to make them acknowledge they are beautiful and they can be and do whatever they want.

Laurie: Being crowned Ms Curvaceous UK would be a real accomplishment for me on my model journey. As far as I am concerned MCUK incarnates the recognition of the existence of different beauties that should all be recognised. MCUK embodies inspiration for all women that are struggling to accept who they are. MCUK shows that open-mindedness and the understanding of everyone uniqueness. These are the values that I would stand for if being crowned Ms Curvaceous UK 2015.

4)      What does 2015 hold for you?

Pippa: 2015 so far seems to be a year of growth and change. a year of success and many more to come I hope!

Serena:  I am sure 2015 will have many surprises and opportunities for me. I believe as one door closes another door opens. In June I graduate from University so that will be a wonderful experience for me along with rewarding myself with a holiday to Mexico in August to celebrate, which will be definitely well earned and needed.

Laurie:  In 2015, I would love to inspire more people.  This is something that I am already doing on a daily basis by being a school teacher, but I would love to inspire more people of from different ages to accept themselves more through modelling careers.

Thank you ladies for taking the time to talk to me.

Today was not a good day. I started the day perfectly; I woke up early, refreshed and all "gung-ho" about the day ahead. I made myself scrambled egg on toast for brekkie (1 point ) and I packed my bag full of healthy snacks to get me though the week.

Throughout the day I snacked on cucumber & reduced fat red pepper hummus & mango slices.

I went for my lunchtime walk around London town with Leanne on her lunch, only 36 minutes though.

I was so proud of myself; I had managed to do the whole day without any chocolate cravings but something changed on the route home.

I felt awful. I stood up the whole journey home.  I felt weak and just like my body was struggling on what I had fed it.  I was suffering with sharp pains in my stomach/abdominal area and I was sure I was gonna throw up right on the train!
I resisted the temptation to jump in cab home and pushed through the discomfort to make sure I hit my own personal target of 10,000 steps. (BP target for today; 8,000 steps; smashed! 1 point)

Today was another alcohol-free zone (1 point)

I cocked it all up when I wandered into Sainsbury’s on route home. I thought maybe my body was going into some sort of shock from the cold turkey style removal of sugar. Please bear in mind I have recently gotten into a habit of eating something sugary (be it a chocolate bar, something from Pandora or a doughnut) every day in some cases more than once. So my rationale was maybe the discomfort was fuelled by the lack of sugar. My inner demons won! I caved and bought a Wispa & devoured that whilst walking home! Whilst it was immediately satisfying, I actually felt worse. My stomach was still cramping and now I was riddled with guilt over my bad choice.

When I got home I couldn't muster the strength to complete my workout. So I switched on the mindfulness video and completed my meditation for 10 minutes (1 point) 

After that I retired to bed & curled up in the foetal position wrapped around a hot water bottle. I felt low and the stomach pain was overbearing; whatever was wrong with me!?

As I had skipped dinner I was made a slice of toast with jam to eat.  I didn't feel like eating it but I was urged to eat something rather than nothing. (By MFP’s standards, my calorie intake was well under, so I will class that as an acceptable dinner to get my 1 point for a healthy dinner; it would have been less healthy to skip dinner completely *apparently*)

Day 1; 19/01

Good start, as I had such a busy weekend I didn't get the chance to do any food shopping.

I lost out on a point by eating Coco Pops for brekkie (you get a point for avoiding all refined or processed carbs all day) but I picked up a Grab & Go (recommended lunch pick up for emergencies) from M&S for lunch and had a tasty piece of steak for dinner with a few potatoes & a mountain of veg.

I drank my 2 litres of water and achieved the BP goal of 4,000 steps (I actually smashed this target but taking over 19,000+ steps) I did a bit of shopping on route home so I could have some healthy snacks to chomp on.

I am not a big drinker and only have a tipple on special occasions so I got my point for being alcohol free all day.

Came home & plunged into my recommended 30 minute workout. Now it wasn't nearly as daunting as I'd imagined. The aim is to raise your heart but doing at least 3 x 30 minute sessions of cardiovascular exercise per week.  I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep up but it really eased me in gently and 10 minutes in I was sweating like a pig and my heart rate was definitely raised. The type of exercise was aerobic based movement so the steps were simple enough to follow. You are encouraged to set your own pace based on what you are comfortable with but you're aiming for 30 secs intense movement followed by 15 secs of active recovery. There were times when I was lagging and times when I was really going for it and I really do think it pushed me to better my ability each time. It was hard work not gonna lie, but totally worth it. 

I got another point by taking 10 minutes to just do NOTHING & meditate.

No night time snacking.

With all the steps and activity I did, I managed to burn a fair amount of calories today!!

I finished the day with 8 points.

*My thoughts on my progress*

Really positive and rearing to go...I think sticking to the meal plan provided by BP will be hard as I would need to consider the time it will take to prepare and potentially cook two meals each day. I will use their meal plan as inspiration and make my own meal plan that works for my family.  My main issue at home is portion size so I will need BP to guide me on quantities.

My GP wants me to keep a food diary and as Andy follows it too, I am also tracking my calories on the phone app; "My Fitness Pal"

Here's how I did today...

This all kicks off tomorrow & runs for the next 10 weeks.  After my full on weekend, the last thing I wanted to do on a Sunday night was run 1km or do a fitness test, but I pushed myself as I really want to see the benefits of this project.

So I did it.  I jogged round the block nearly 3 times (in icy conditions may I add!) I wouldn't usually run anwhere, I think the only time I run is for the train/bus. So for me to run out of choice is a big achievement.

What I want to achieve out of "The Body Project"

• I would like to drop a dress size over the 10 week period
• I want to increase my fitness levels
• I want to kick-start a lifestyle change to make me the healthiest version of me possible.