From a young age of 7, Hazel Sim (@sim.hazel) was very self-conscious about her body. Feeling embarrassed about being in TAF (Trim & Fit) Club, she also had to endure bullying in school and even had to drop out of school twice when it became too much.
“At around 7 years old I already knew I was larger than the other girls. Put that into a girls’ school with puberty and I became self-conscious about everything and how others see me. We had mandatory TAF (Trim & Fit) Club that so often gets turned around to FAT.
“It boggled my mind how forcing kids to skip lunch and exercise would reap any positive results instead of encouraging a healthy relationship with food and exercise. That only paved the way to what I can only describe as body dysmorphia for me and I hated being in my body at one point. Self-harm, self-doubt. It felt like my self-worth was so tied with how much space I occupy.”
Her development years were really rough as she struggled with depression. When she hit her heaviest of 87kg at the age of 18, something clicked inside of her and she started to work on changing some habits.
A burnout at work pushed her to take a break and that was when she started exercising and cultivating a healthier relationship with food and her body. From spin, barre, boxing, yoga to HIIT, Hazel enjoyed a varied workout routine and also stopped unhealthy eating habits like binge eating, purging and yo-yo diets.
“Body positivity finally came after I chose to put myself first and love myself. For example, I became more mindful with my eating. I used to binge eat when something doesn’t go my way and regret it, purge or go on those yo-yo diets and the cycle continues. Now I know it’s possible to eat healthily and treat yourself while reaching your goals, include healthier habits and feel better in my own skin.”
Right now, Hazel is in a better headspace and holds so much more love for herself. Choosing to put herself first, she now knows it’s possible to eat healthily and treat yourself while reaching your goals.
lululemon Singapore has expanded their top styles to fit sizes 0-20. Shan Hui is wearing the Energy Bra High Support in Rainforest Green and the Fast and Free HR 24” Tights in Dark Olive.
