GBBO’s Laura Adlington proudly shows off her curves in bright swimwear and says she ‘feels like a million dollars’ after years of wanting to ‘be invisible’

Great British Bake Off star Laura Adlington proudly showed off her curves in bright swimwear in a body confidence post.

The TV star, 33, a size 26 and avid believer in body positivity, said she “felt like a million bucks” after years of wanting to hide when it came to wearing swimwear.

On Monday, Laura took to Instagram and tried on a range of one-pieces before heading to the beach in a bright pink number.

She told fans during the fitting: ‘I’m someone who only wore plain black swimsuits.

‘There’s nothing wrong with that, but for me personally it was because I wanted to hide, I wanted to be invisible and I think that makes me feel even more incredible because it’s something I never dreamed of wearing. million dollars.”

Laura also uploaded a powerful photo of her swimming on a picturesque beach.

Laura wrote: “Wear that damn bikini.”

‘This is a phrase I see and hear a lot (I’m sure I’ve used it myself). And listen, I absolutely love the sentiment.

‘But I also know that summer is a particularly difficult time if you’re struggling with your body image.

‘I’ve recently realized that I’m much more confident and comfortable in a swimsuit. And to be honest, I don’t feel like forcing yourself through extreme anxiety to wear a bikini if ​​it makes you uncomfortable.

“I’m a big believer in, ‘Wear the damn cover-up if it makes you feel most comfortable.’

‘There is no proven link between how much skin you wear in public and how much inner strength, TRUE self-confidence and self-esteem you have. NO. I guess the whole point is: wear what you want/need, show up.

“Because it actually has less to do with what you’re wearing when you do, and more to do with the fact that you’re there at all.” That is the victory. That is the point. Freedom to enjoy it and be there, however it suits you.’

The baker’s followers took to the comments section to applaud Laura.

They wrote: ‘Our bodies, our choice. That pink swimsuit looks fantastic on you.’

‘Perfectly written. Thanks for all your good work. And you look fantastic in pink!’

‘Yes this, that pink looks great on you’ and ‘Same goes for ‘wear those damn shorts’. “I hate the heat on my skin and prefer baggy, loose pants in the summer, even if they are ‘more modest’ or whatever.”

Laura’s post comes after she revealed she often ‘put things off’ because of her weight, thinking she would enjoy things, like sex, adventures and holidays, more if she was ‘slimmer’.

In a candid interview, Laura said: ‘I didn’t do things for a long time or put things off, reserving things for when I was younger.

“I would always say, ‘Laura version 2.0 is going to have more adventures, more vacations, better sex, bigger friendships,’ but really you’re just putting your life on hold. If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that life is short.

‘You don’t have to live a small life just because you’re in a bigger body, or if you have insecurities. Life is for living.’

She married her husband Matt, who works as a police support worker, in 2018.

Laura previously admitted on her body positivity podcast Go Love Yourself that she worries about the health implications her size may bring when she gets older.

Still, she reasoned, “I think a lot of people think that if you’re body positive you’re promoting obesity, but actually we’re just existing.”

Discussing her yo-yo dieting, she continued, “I’ve tried every diet countless times, tried everything and all that happens is I put the weight back on and feel better.”

‘I’m at the point where I don’t think diets work, I don’t want to have bariatric surgery, my options are to try to get a little bit healthier and just accept myself and not beat myself up and try to live. full.’

Diagnosed with general anxiety disorder at the age of 24, Laura previously shared that she has moments of catastrophizing and is “gripped by the fear that the whole world is against me.”