I was really chubby as a teenager. Back then it didn’t bother me at all - no insecurities nothing, as I was very focused with my art. I became a mother at the young age of 21 - to a baby girl and a boy thee years later. My marriage failed and unexpectedly I was a single mum.

Raising my children was my priority. I did not care about my body and not bothered with how I look. I gained lots of weight in my 30s and started to feel insecure. I was conscious of my body and couldn’t wear the clothes that I wanted. I also disassociated myself from my circle of friends - after an old friend whom I have helped previously on how to love oneself, mocked me on my appearance when we met again after many years. She suggested that I visit the gym and even offered to pay because she couldn’t accept my looks. Still, I was in denial and comforted myself that I don’t hate being fat because I am already a mother of two.

But one day I suddenly changed my perspective, not because of the insults. This time, my health was affected. I was having breathing difficulties plus I had lumps in my breast. Besides consulting a doctor, I decided to change my outlook of life. Body positivity awareness guided me to love not only myself, but more importantly my children because I wanted a long life and a bright future with them.

I started running and learning how to swim from YouTube (I was a total beginner). Soon enough, I participated in aquathlon events and ran full marathons in a span of two years. I also switched to a healthy diet of salads and in three months my breast lumps were gone. Both my daughter and son also started their own exercise routine – my 23-year-old son has six-pack abs now and my 26-year-old daughter exercises daily. As for me, weighing 53kg now (from 69kg two years ago) – I can proudly flaunt my body even with a C-section surgical scar. This scar reminds me of my struggles as a single mother.

The realisation of a dream to spend many wonderful years ahead with my children and to be a sexy and fit grandma puts a smile on my face. I couldn’t be happier!