#iheartmybody
Growing up, I never saw people on television or in movies who looked like me: I’m bi-racial, since my mother is Filipina and my father is Caucasian. Thankfully, that’s changed, and we now see far more diversity. However, I still feel that our society has some work to do when it comes to celebrating #RealWomen with #RealBodies and portraying them in advertising campaigns. I love that young girls can now see models like Ashley Graham and Alex LaRosa, who are making a splash and proving that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
To say that my weight has been a struggle my entire life is an understatement. In fact, the first word I learned in my mom’s native language was “tabachoy.” I won’t publish the literal translation from Tagalog, because it’s not flattering — and it was the first word people would say when they met me as a child.
When I put my mind to it, I CAN lose weight. Last summer, I slimmed down enough to where my father-in-law mistakenly thought I was my teen niece. But the moment I quit dieting, I gained back every pound I had lost, plus 5 extra!
My size directly impacts my confidence level, although I wish I could say it didn’t. I admire my fellow bloggers Sahily with Pretty in Pigment and April with April GoLightly, who are positive body advocates and beautiful role models. But if I’m being 100% honest with myself, I know I’m not mentally where I need to be.
Earlier this month, another blogger friend, Christina with Mascara Maven and More, asked me, “Why haven’t I seen you posting as frequently on your Beauty News YouTube channel?” I told her that I felt my face looks bloated, and she responded, “It makes me sad to even hear you say such a thing.” She was right — we shouldn’t bash ourselves, even in conversations with friends.
One moment that I recall vividly from back in my news anchoring days was when a viewer wrote “Angela has shoulders like an NFL linebacker.” That stung me deeply – it still does! – but my former clothing selections of boxy jackets certainly didn’t flatter my body type like they could have.
Thankfully, I’m blessed with excellent health, a supportive husband who frequently tells me I’m beautiful, and good energy. I’m trying to prioritize a sustainable, healthful way of eating, so it’s a work in progress. Meantime, one of the problems with my perpetual yo-yo dieting is that the costs add up, and I’m not talking about food – having to buy an entire new wardrobe every time I lose or gain weight is expensive. In my closet right now, there are literally RACKS of clothes that I don’t fit.
That’s where wardrobe subscriptions come in handy. Dia&Co is plus sized clothing and wardrobe styling for real women, and when they reached out for me to try their subscription service, I was excited to see what they offered.
I feel so much more confident when I have on a stylish outfit that’s flattering and comfortable – and I’m thrilled to report that the clothing I was sent from my stylist, Ashby, made me feel fierce! I tried on the first item I unboxed, which was a patterned dress I normally would not have chosen. I styled it exactly as Ashby advised, by pairing the dress with a denim jacket and a neutral wedge shoe. When I looked in the mirror, I felt trendy and fashionable.
Information about Dia&Co from the website: “Dia&Co is a body-positive styling service for women who wear sizes 14 and up. You’ll get a Dia Box with five garments hand-picked by your stylist. The $20 styling fee will be applied to any purchase you make from your Box. Keep what you love, send back the rest. Shipping both ways is always free!”
I sent back a couple of items from my first box (you have 5 days to try everything on), but my second box was spot-on for my taste and style. I also loved that Ashby’s personal note referenced a dress she chose for me — she wrote that it would “look great on TV,” which was so sweet! But I loved the colored pants and black jacket so much, I’m actually planning to wear those instead for my appearance next week – so tune in to see how they look on air! Too bad I can’t carry this purse with me to the studio, because it is super-cute. Can we say, “Date Night Inspo”?!
My hope with sharing my story here is because I believe we need to show the next generation that style is style at any size. You’ve heard me say in recent videos that I want to help you “look your best, so you can feel your best.” I know that’s so much more than what we’re wearing; it’s a mindset – and we should be accepting, not ashamed, of all women’s bodies. I want my nieces to see me loving myself on my social media, and that starts with me challenging conventional beauty standards. Let’s celebrate all kinds of diversity!
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Let's celebrate all kinds of diversity! #iheartmybody Share on XTry Dia&Co yourself for $20 off: https://www.dia.com/r/l7ru
Disclosure: Dia&Co sent me complimentary boxes to try their service. This is not a sponsored post, I just like this company. All opinions are my own.
You look beautiful and we need more posts like this!
Thank you, Angela – it took me a minute to get this blog post up because I was a little hesitant to write about this topic, but then I realized we HAVE to share our truths. So grateful for your support!!!
Thank you for sharing your story. I know the feeling about being criticized for the way you on camera. As a meteorologist, standing in front of a green screen does have it’s challenges. Even when I wasn’t pregnant, people wrote me asking if I was expecting again. You are beautiful. Honestly, I haven’t noticed in difference in your face. Keep vlogging. Just remember there are so many people who can relate to your struggle. And you awesome beauty tips are a bonus.
I have always had so much respect for on-air meteorologists and weather anchors who have to show their entire figure in front of a screen — while sharing scientific information with views! That is challenging but you pull it off with grace, while juggling a family AND a blog. 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words and support!
I admire your confidence and personality, both really shine through in your photos! Work it girl…while it’s not ALL about “looks,” I am a firm believer that when you look your best you feel your best, and it’s not what you’re wearing but how you wear it!
Thank you so much! Agreed on HOW YOU WEAR IT, lol. 🙂 Thank you for being a fellow Filipina role model!!
I love this story! It’s inspiring. My weight has been an issue for me too in the past, and I love how you rock such body positivity!!
You are the queen of self-love and I admire your body confidence, no matter what size! We have to teach younger girls to feel great. 🙂
With your personality and beauty, I never knew you had any insecurities about yourself! It goes to show that we are our biggest critics! Thanks now I have another outlet to go shoppi g on lol.
Awe, I love you so much, lady! You are so sweet. Thank you for the moral support! 🙂
Angela, your words echo the struggle so many of us have! I remember – in the 3rd grade – my mom putting on a workout video and encouraging me to follow along because she thought it would help me lose weight. Bless!
The most awesome thing is that God loves us all the same! I find comfort in this verse:
1 Samuel 16:7: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
You are such a beautiful friend, both inside and out 🙂
This Bible verse sums up why it’s best to focus on inner beauty!! Thank you so much for recognizing that, and I appreciate your sweet support! Your mom… must be my mom’s twin ??
I’ve always thought you were beautiful! And that was back in my college days watching you on the news in Monroe. Toothpicks look skinny in a boxy jacket, everyone else will look bigger ? Lol. And that hubby of yours, I grew up with him. You couldn’t have found a better guy to be supportive and loving. He was always one of the good guys in our group.
Those outfits look great btw ? & I didn’t realize you also had a blog (on top of your channel) until someone retweeted this post.
Hi Emily, I love YOUR blog, and I love even more that you also know my husband is the bomb.com, LOL! ?? I’ll tell him I met you electronically… and thank you so much for your sweet words. That is so kind.
LOVE the whole idea that real women have real bodies! The last time I looked, we are not all shaped like Barbie!!! — but those differences are what makes us special, and I applaud you Angela for making EVERYONE feel accepted and beautiful.
LOVE the whole idea that real women have real bodies! The last time I looked, we are not all shaped like Barbie!!! — but those differences are what makes us special, and I applaud you Angela for making EVERYONE feel accepted and beautiful.
Thank you so much for your support, Kate, and I agree that women are so diverse — let’s start seeing that in advertising campaigns! 🙂