Rebecca Deighton, 23
REBECCA has gone from a size 20 to a size 16 in the last four years.
Happy ... Rebecca
She says: "I can honestly say I love my body at the moment.
"I feel the happiest I have ever been and I am fit, healthy and happy.
"Five years ago I was in a relationship and got comfortable.
"I became lazy, didn't do any exercise and piled on the pounds, eating my way to a size 20.
"But after seeing some holiday pictures I realised I needed to do something about my weight. I really wasn't happy with what I saw in those photos.
"Initially I tried to crash diet and even spent three days nibbling my way through just one can of tuna.
"But I quickly realised that I couldn't diet as I love food far too much.
"So I started going to the gym, horseriding and doing Pilates every week.
"The weight just fell off and I now love exercising at least three times a week.
"Although some people may still think I'm overweight, I feel like I'm completely in proportion and look like a real woman.
"In my opinion, women should have hips, boobs and a stomach. Women shouldn't be made to think that we have to look like skinny boys to be attractive - we are meant to be shapely."
Single Rebecca also feels that Claire shouldn't feel negatively about the way she looks.
She says: "Claire looks stunning in her picture - she is healthy and her skin is glowing.
"But confidence is all about how you feel about your appearance.
"I felt wonderful posing naked for these pictures, just as I feel great lying by the pool in a bikini.
"But if you don't have any self-confidence, no matter what size you are, you will never feel content about the way you look."
Rebecca Exton-Russell, 33
REBECCA cannot remember the last time she WASN'T on a fad diet.
Fad diets ... Rebecca
Rebecca says: "I am the world's worst fad dieter and I don't feel comfortable with the way I look at the moment.
"Last year I dropped two dress sizes on a protein shake diet and felt great about the way I looked. I felt people accepted me more and I enjoyed getting dressed in the morning with a slimmer body.
"But unfortunately I couldn't keep it up and my love of carbs, especially bread, kicked in. Now I feel disappointed with myself and uncomfortable in my own body."
Rebecca is most conscious of her stomach and could not look at the picture of herself naked.
She says: "When I was posing for the photograph, I could feel my belly flopping on to the floor. I couldn't suck it in, so I know it is going to look awful.
"As I'm 5ft 9in, I carry my weight quite well, but my tummy is always a problem area. I always make sure I buy clothes that cover it well."
Daily battle ... Rebecca works out and loves to eat
She says: "I understand how she feels. When you go from feeling slim and happy to fat and self-conscious it's a blow to your confidence.
"But eating is something I love to do and staying slim is a daily battle. Although I am healthy and work out at the gym, I also love going for dinner with friends and trying new foods.
"When I'm on a fad diet my social life suffers and I don't enjoy myself on a night out. I know what I should and shouldn't eat but it's easier said than done. My weight is something I will struggle with for the rest of my life."
Alice Richardson, 31
ALICE feels content as a size 16 but worries about the health consequences.
'Never skinny' ... Alice
Alice says: "I love the fact women are becoming more confident of their curves but I worry that it encourages obesity.
"I realise this sounds hypocritical as I am a larger lady and feel happy about my shape, but I am aware that my weight will affect my health in future.
"A decade ago I was a size 18 and couldn't find jeans that would fit me. So while my friends were looking fashionable, I was wearing trousers that my mum had to make for me. Although this was awful, it made me lose weight and realise that I shouldn't be that big.
"But now, some High Street stores stock clothes sizes up to 32. It makes it easier to be overweight, which isn't right."
Alice is not surprised Claire feels conscious about her weight. She says: "The difference between me and Claire is that I have never been skinny and pictured in a bikini during my career.
Alice, from Hackney, east London, adds: "I don't like my legs and feel they are misshapen, but I have learnt to accept that.
"I worry more about my health than my appearance and try to concentrate on eating healthy food and exercising, rather than my dress size."
