Ladies Celebrate Your Curves on May 6 Int. No Diet Day!!!

Ladies Celebrate Your Curves Today:
May 6 is International NO DIET Day (INDD)
Toronto, ON May 5, 2008

Got a pair of jeans in your closet with a four year old price tag? End the torture, donate 'em! Today is International NO DIET day- a day to celebrate healthy, natural curves without apology. "It's scientifically proven that diets do not work over time. The result of 'yo-yo' dieting from excessive dieting is now being linked with heart disease," says Jill Andrew, women's body image workshop facilitator and founder/producer of Canada's first and only plus size fashion fundraiser Curvy Catwalk. "Maintain regular fun exercise, eat wisely, which can include cheesecake, and don't obsess over the scale," Andrew says. Andrew recently won the national 2008 Michele Landsberg Award presented by the Canadian Women's Foundation for her work through media and activism to help empower the lives of women and girls.


The average North American woman is a size 14 yet according to NEDIC, 80 to 90% of women dislike their bodies. 70% of women are currently dieting although 95% of weight loss is reportedly regained within the first one to five years. According to Andrew dieting cannot reset your genetic make-up long term unless you are willing to become a slave to calorie counting all your life. "Knowing your actual body type can save you years of low self-esteem, the risks of developing eating problems and trying to become someone you are not. Dieting is a physically and emotionally taxing process of self-deprivation. It's much more satisfying to simply incorporate a healthy balance of healthy foods, fun foods, regular check-ups, an active social life and exercise into your daily routine."

Andrew speaks regularly encouraging women to share stories about body image through the thick and the thin for her upcoming anthology Phat Girls in Search of a Pretty World: Hot Lil' Fat Chicks Speakin' Out! and is also at the helm of the Toronto International Body Image Festival (TIBIF) which will explore diverse bodies through film, arts, speakers series, fun and of course food. "We spend billions annually buying new wardrobes, compiling degree after degree so that we can create an image to be competitive and 'accepted' in this world but how many of us feel as self-loved naked without all that window dressing? It all starts with a deeper positive perception of our physical bodies well beyond simple vanity. I think for most of us it's a life long journey often made more difficult thanks to stereotypes about bigger people as lazy, asexual or unhealthy." says Andrew.

Reigning Miss Canada Plus and triple threat entertainer Stephanie Conover says INDD marks a huge gain for women. "On May 15 I perform in "Fuze" at Buddies in Bad times Theatre. It's a night of song and dance but more so another opportunity for me to express myself as a vital, self-assured curvy woman on stage owning it," says Conover. Curvy Catwalk model, former Miss Canada Plus and regional sales manager for TD Canada Trust, Cindy Bourassa says INDD is about loving yourself unconditionally. "I've got so many accomplishments in my life to celebrate regardless of my dress size, I don't know where to begin." So what's your plan for International No Diet Day? Let it be sweet.
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*PICTURES AVAILABLE FOR THIS STORY

Jill Andrew, Stephanie Conover and Cindy Bourassa are all available for interviews. Contact 416-540-6659 or info@jillandrewmedia.com.

For more information on Body Image
Visit: www.nedic.ca, www.sheenasplace.org, www.curvycatwalk.com, www.naafa.org, www.mcpp.ca

For some local plus fashions visit: www.ki-ke.com, www.lolaandgigi.com, www.gutsydame.ca, www.myspace.com/candiedappledesigns

From left to right: Stephanie Conover, Jill Andrew (middle) and Cindy Bourassa are kissing diets goodbye in celebration of International No Diet Day!

Curvy Catwalk's Jill Andrew and Miss Canada Plus gal pals Stephanie and Cindy take a break in the city for a sweet bite.

Picture Credit: JAM PRoductions/Aisha Fairclough



For more story pictures contact: Jill Andrew info@jillandrewmedia.com or call 416-540-6659