Six months ago I set out on a journey …

I didn’t know If I would reach the destination, I hadn’t really done any training but HAD thought about it for months years even. The journey was weight loss. Getting rid of weight using the diet and exercise method is a long road with a few hills and valleys thrown in for good measure.  It’s not easy when you can smell fish an chips or see the cheese counter at the super market, so this is when I joined slimming world it’s not just about being clapped by the other members when you’ve lost weight that week.. it’s a group of people with their own reasons why they too want to lose weight and as a group it makes it possible. To date I’ve lost 3 stone 7 Ibs and am aiming at another 7 Ibs to reach my initial 4 stone target.

This Friday (14th May) I reach my destination, which is a photographic studio in London. I’m going to be photographed naked tastefully of course and it’s all in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Obstacles come and go and this last 2 weeks has been no exception. A very close friend of mine died suddenly in her sleep, she wasn’t  ill, in fact she was having the time of her life… now normally if something like this happened I’d have eaten and probably drank a lot. She loved this project and was incredibly supportive of it… So my dear friend Rosemary this is for you..  Rose coloured toe nails to go with the fabulous shoes.

So Friday here we come..  x

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: PETER ROSS / 07970 191668

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAKED MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Music photographer Karen McBride who features in a new book ‘The World’s Top Photographers Workshops’ (Rotovision) is preparing to bare all to go under the lens of distinguished photographer Jill Furmanovsky to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Almost 3½ stones lighter, Karen, whose camera has captured artists ranging from The Ting Tings to Robbie Williams, began a diet in October 2009 aiming to lose 4 stones by end April. In a unique twist she talked to Jill Furmanovsky whose work she has admired for many years about the plan and Jill had no hesitation in agreeing to donate the portrait that will be auctioned for the charity after it has toured and been signed by artists appearing at some of the UK’s biggest festivals this summer. Jill Furmanovsky’s celebrity subjects include punk icons The Sex Pistols and the legendary Bob Dylan and her original prints are known to fetch up to thousands of pounds.

News of the photoshoot booked to take place at London’s famous Holborn Studios on Friday 14^th May has also attracted the offer of shoes and a bespoke camera strap designed by Fee Doran aka Mrs Jones, whose star creations include Kylie’s ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ white hooded catsuit, hair by the internationally renowned stylist Keiichiro Hirano, whose work features regularly on the cover of Vogue and make-up by Decca Records new signing and recent subject of Karen’s photography – jazz sensation Kirsty Almeida.

Karen decided to adopt this particular cause because her uncle, her grandma and a friend died of cancer. She is looking forward to showing off her new figure but keen to point out that the photograph will be tasteful and artistic and Cancer Research UK are backing her all the way.
Karen stated, “I thought if I’m going to go to all the lengths of losing this much weight, getting fit and looking good, I might as well put myself in front of the camera and get photographed – naked. I thought naked might have a bit more of an impact. It won’t be crude, it’ll be respectful. Women do the Calendar Girls style shoots and this fits in with that, but we intend to introduce a fresh rock and roll twist.”
Jill Furmanovsky told us, “Karen is not only a very fine photographer but also a very inspiring person. I can’t wait to take the picture of her. As a matter of fact I need to lose a few kilos too, so perhaps I (and others too?) should join her for the last stone, though I intend to remain on the dark side of the camera! ”

To sponsor Karen visit www.karenmcbride.wordpress.com

ENDS

Please also see news links

Photography Monthly

Aidan :: Writer Photographer

Gossip Magazine

SAM

14th May … not far away.

Well it’s creeping up on me now and quite rapidly, well it feels like that anyway but, for those of you who are new to this blog what is this about? basically I’ve been dieting using the slimming world plan, with an aim to lose 4 stone by the end of April and then get photographed naked in order to raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research UK. I’m not asking people to dig deep as I know times are rough, but if enough of you sponsor this project then we CAN make  a difference to someones life.

I’ve been asked  a lot of varied questions about weight loss, here are some examples:-

1. After losing almost 3.5 stone do you have saggy skin? no I’ve been very lucky, but also very sensible about how I lost the weight, rapid weight loss can cause skin problems but I’m looking at  a lifestyle change, therefore my weight loss needs to be steady. An average of 2Ibs a week is the healthiest way to do it.
2. Why did you put on that much weight to begin with? There are lots of reasons why people put on weight, some though medical issues, depression, eating too much lack of exercise the list is endless. I’m not any different, although I was never an overweight child, and had no real weight issues till I got older but that came about due to unhappiness and illness. kinda a vicious circle really.
3. What made yo want to do something about it? I looked at my self naked in the mirror and it hit me, ooh ouch not  a pretty sight ..:) not for me anyhow. So I sat down and worked out  a plan.
4. Are you nervous about getting your clothes of for this photo shoot? of course, but at the same time I’m confident that with the hard work I’ve put in it should be  a successful shoot and do the job it was intended to do…  if I wasn’t  a tad nervous I don’t think I could do it as it wouldn’t have any meaning or purpose.

if you have questions you want to ask too please don’t hesitate to send me  a message.

K @->–

1 month today

and I’m pulling out all the stops..  this is THE photo-shoot for cancer Research UK..

I get weighed again tomorrow night.. and I reckon I’ve had  a good week…

My favourite foods of the week are oranges and feta cheese but not together..

KX

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world” …. Bette Midler

Got weighed this week .. no change, but hey that’s Ok I’m still bang on target.

I’ve just looked at myself naked in the mirror with Mrs Jones shoes on.. and even at this stage where I haven’t yet reached my target, I’m confident that none of you will be let down by the pictures were shooting for  Cancer Research UK .

So here are my prep rules for the next 5 weeks..

• Do not engage in any negative conversations
• Go To Yoga with Kirsty (Future icon, Friend and my makeup artist for the day).
• Continue eating extremely healthily
• Walk as much as I can
• Listen to lots of Elvis
• Steer clear of anyone who doesn’t appreciate what this is for.
• Laugh a lot (not difficult really)
• Go to bed early at least 3 times a week (beauty sleep you know  :)
• Make sure I don’t break out in spots.. worst nightmare ..lol
• get  alight all over tan..

if I think of any more I will add them ..

Kx

my Interview with Becky Want BBC Manchester radio

Slide the slider to 2 minutes and 20 secs in to hear my interview about the diet with Becky Want BBC Manchester.

6 weeks and counting

Yesterday Friday 2nd April, meant that it’s only 6 weeks away till THE photo-shoot. How do I feel !!!  nervous might be a good word to use. But the reason this is happening is not vanity, more it’s utilising what was a negative situation and turning it into something that is very much a positive one.

For those of you who are new to this blog, there is more information here.

I got weighed at Slimming World on Thursday which is my weigh-in day, and was over the moon to finally go past the 3 stone Mark… this makes me bang on target for the shoot which, as you may know now is only 6 weeks away.

What have I been eating.. ooh lots of fantastic vegetables, fruit bucket loads of it. My favourite is the sweet oranges from Aldi 49 pence for 6 oranges.. no excuse ladies and gents

KX