Fashion blogger shares her first ever swimsuit picture

Many women will feel the pressure of having to have a ‘perfect’ bikini body when going on holiday.

But one size 14 fashion blogger has set out to encourage others to embrace their figures as she shared her first ever swimsuit photograph on Facebook.

Gemma-Louise Bond, 25, from Belfast, said she wanted to be a ‘different’ role model because social media is awash with slim women in bikinis – leading to others striving for a ‘perfection that’s unattainable’.

She described how she has ‘back fat, big boobs and stretch marks galore’, but is proud of the body that has ‘carried [her] through 25 years of ups & downs’.

In her post, she explained how she wanted to be a ‘different’ role model because social media is awash with slim women in bikinis – leading to others striving for a ‘perfection that’s unattainable’ 

Under the title ‘Swimsuit Fear’, Gemma – who goes under the moniker That Belfast Girl –  wrote: ‘I’m on my holidays and having major discussions about swimsuits & the fear women have around them.

‘The internet largely portrays slim girls in a 2 piece bikinis and it literally hurts my heart. That will never be me and so many young women are driving for a perfection that’s unattainable.

‘I really worry about the younger girls in my life that feel self conscious having fun in the sun with their friends.’

Explaining her decision to share her first swimsuit picture, she continued: ‘So here’s size 14 me. I have never in my life taken a picture in a swimsuit & put it anywhere, never mind for over 10,000 of you! 

She also said she was proud of her body, which has carried [her] through 25 years of ups & downs including multiple surgeries’. Encouraged by the positive comments from her first post, she later shared another swimsuit snap (pictured) on her Facebook page 

‘I want to be a different sort of role model – whether that be for you or your daughters who might read my blog.

‘I have back fat, big boobs and stretch marks galore. But my body has carried me through 25 years of ups & downs including multiple surgeries.’ 

Gemma also explained how she had a ‘wonderful role model’ in her mother – who ‘always looked amazing in a swimsuit no matter what size because of her attitude & confidence.’ 

She finished by writing: ‘So for my own sanity (and I hopefully for some of yours), enjoy your life.

Gemma encouraged others to ‘rock what you got’, explaining how her mother had been a ‘wonderful role model’ when it came to body confidence 

‘The only one that cares about your swimsuit selfie is you. Rock what you got’. 

Gemma later shared another snap of herself in a swimsuit while in Majorca, after receiving hundreds of positive comments for her first picture.  

One wrote: ‘All I see is a happy, beautiful lady having a fab time! You look AMAZING. As a size 14 myself, you give me such confidence.’

Another added: ‘I LOVE THIS! Not only do u look shamazing- but all yr sistas are positively praising your post and sending love. We need more of this Gemma!’