I’m a size 20 with Shaughna Phillips’ leg condition – strangers poke & tell me to lose weight…how to know if you have it
A PLUS-SIZE traveller has opened up on the challenges she faces when visiting certain countries as a result of her body shape.
British-Maltese Emily Jones, claimed that she not only gets awkward stares from locals who are not used to seeing larger bodies, but she’s even been poked at by strangers too.
As well as this, the influencer, who boasts more than 470,000 followers on Instagram, claimed that when she’s holidaying abroad, people will tell her she should lose weight.
The blogger, who suffers with the same leg condition as Love Island star Shaughna Phillips – Lipedema, a common but under-recognised condition that may cause pain, tenderness, swelling, and easy bruising – recently had gastric bypass surgery and was a size 20 at her largest.
Now she claims she has seen “both sides of the coin” and understands the “privilege” that comes with travelling in a smaller body.
Despite her now smaller size, Emily is on a mission “to raise up the voices of the plus-size community.”
The beauty revealed that travel can present specific issues for plus-size people, such as small plane seats, tiny towels in certain hotels and awkward stares and comments from local communities.
Emily told FEMAIL that this is a particular issue when visiting Southeast Asia, as she confessed: “Having recently returned from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam, I can say that Southeast Asia is not very accommodating for plus-size travellers in general – not due to any fault of their own and not really a criticism but more of an observation.
“It’s due to the smaller average body size over there, which was reflected in the sizes of hotel robes, towels and so on, not to mention the many curious stares from locals.”
Emily acknowledged that in some countries where larger bodies are less common she often gets “some awkward stares and curious reactions from locals.”
She recalled a very distressing experience during a massage in Thailand when the masseuse told her she should exercise.
The influencer, who suffers from Lipedema, which according to the NHS is ‘an abnormal build-up of fat in your legs and sometimes arms which can be painful and affect daily life’, recalled: “I have had a massive transformation with my weight in the last year or so which has also left me with a lot of loose skin, particularly on my arms.
“When I was most recently in Thailand and went for a massage, the masseuse started poking my arms and exclaiming that I had very big arms and that I needed to do some exercise.”
Emily expressed that what was “meant to be a very relaxing experience” soon turned into “quite a distressing one.”
What is Lipedema? How to tell if you have it
What is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic medical condition involving the abnormal accumulation of fat, most often in the legs, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes the arms, usually symmetrical and disproportionate to the rest of the body.
It’s often painful, and easily mistaken for regular obesity or lymphedema, but it’s a distinct condition with its own set of symptoms and causes.
Key Signs of Lipedema:
- Fat deposits that are symmetrical on the lower body (e.g. both legs, not just one)
- Upper body remains relatively slim in comparison
- Painful or tender fat, especially to the touch or after pressure
- Easy bruising without clear reason
- Cool, spongy skin texture in affected areas
- Swelling worsens during the day, but usually reduces overnight
- Fat that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise
- “Cuffing” effect at the ankles or wrists — fat suddenly stops at joints, giving a “band” appearance
Despite being a “really confident person”, Emily admitted that the comment “did sting a little.”
As a result, she is now keen to share her raw experiences with her followers.
The masseuse started poking my arms and exclaiming that I had very big arms and that I needed to do some exercise
Emily Jones
The body positivity advocate warned that the current narrative around plus-size travellers has become “increasingly complex and often contentious.”
As a result, she wants people to “approach things with more kindness, more understanding and less cruel judgement.”
The content creator added: “Hopefully I can inspire people to be less judgemental, more confident and accepting that people come in all shapes and sizes.”
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