Plus-Size Blogger Lucie Maniscalchi Has An Important Message For Those Saying You Can't Be 'Fat And Healthy'

Blogger's Important Message For Those Saying You Can't Be Plus-Size And Healthy
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Plus-size blogger Lucie Maniscalchi has an important message to share with those who believe size and health come hand-in-hand.

The 27-year-old writes lifestyle and beauty posts over at Lucie Loves It, which was formerly called Fat Beauty.

After suffering from a series of health issues relating to her weight, Maniscalchi decided to overhaul her diet.

But she found that she lost followers and was criticised for her weight loss by some of her readers, who believed she was suggesting that plus-size, as a whole, wasn't a healthy way to be.

Now she wants to set the record straight, once and for all.

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"I feel you can be healthy at any size and equally unhealthy at any size," she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle. "But for me personally, I was unhealthy."

Maniscalchi, who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), says she was spurred on to lose weight after her doctor told her doing so could increase her chances of having a baby.

She also suffers from sleep apnoea, a condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep and interrupt normal breathing. This is sometimes caused by being overweight.

"My health wasn't good and losing weight seemed like the best way to help with it all," says Maniscalchi.

However after the blogger began to lose weight through a program at Slimming World, she noticed that she received a few negative comments because of her new lifestyle choices.

"I believe people should love their body at all stages - be it at a size 32 or a size 8 - and what I'm doing with my body is by no means a reflection of what I feel others should do with their body, it's just what I'm doing for me," she explains.

"It's hard though. If someone says: 'I'm losing weight to get healthy', that somehow implies you can't be plus-size and healthy and I don't believe that at all.

Maniscalchi says she was "gutted" by some of the reactions she received, but adds that she has "tried not to take it personally".

"For me, being healthy and having a family is a priority," she says. "I think now I've very much accepted I will lose followers, but I have to be true to myself and just hope they understand and support me either way."

Which, she adds, the majority of her readers do.

"All bodies are good bodies. I would never tell someone how to live their life, what to think, what to eat or what to do," she says.

"What I do with my body is 100% my decision, just as what you do with your body is yours - that may be to feed it doughnuts or a salad. I don't think anyone can tell you what's best for your body but you."

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For Maniscalchi, the term plus-size is a useful way for her to search for clothing and content that is more likely to appeal to her.

"I enjoy reading and viewing plus-size as these are more likely to be items I can fit into," she says. "While I believe it doesn't matter what size you are, I personally find the label handy."

But the moment the terms plus-size and health are used alongside one another, things can become heated.

"It can really get people's backs up," she says. "I believe you can be plus-size and healthy, as much as you can be a size 8 and unhealthy. I may not eat kale and drink three litres of water a day, but I'm eating a healthy balanced diet and I do feel healthy."

Now, Maniscalchi hopes to hone her newly-branded blog into a source of inspiration for people who want plus-size fashion and beauty tips, but who also want to keep up-to-date with her weight loss progress.

"I feel fitter, I'm more flexible and I'm more active. Does that make me healthy? Yes," she says. "Could I be healthier? Of course. Do I need to be a size 8 to be healthy? No.

"I feel too many people have an opinion on being fat and being healthy and that you can only be one or the other. And I don't believe that at all."

10 Plus-Size Fashion Bloggers And Vloggers On Our Radar
BLOGGER: Amanda Montgomery (Latest Wrinkle)(01 of41)
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Latest Wrinkle is the place to go for all things plus-size fashion. Its creator, Amanda Montgomery, sports a wide variety of styles, which means that there is something for everyone to discover on her blog. (credit:Latest Wrinkle )
BLOGGER: Mo Handahu (Lion Hunter)(02 of41)
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Mo Handahu's style is bright, bold and fabulous. Her blog Lion Hunter chronicles her unique, fun looks in a way that is accessible and easy to follow. She's winning at the sunglasses game and her printed and patterned ensembles never cease to impress. (credit:Lion Hunter )
BLOGGER: Jessica Kane (Life And Style Of Jessica)(03 of41)
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Many will recognize Skorch publisher and owner Jessica Kane from the fabulous photo she posted of herself in a bathing suit earlier this month. On her blog, Jessica is just as fab. She brings us the best collaborations with other bloggers and retailers, which is why we love her. (credit:Life And Style Of Jessica )
BLOGGER: Assa (My Curves And Curls)(04 of41)
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Assa of My Curves And Curls is the master of statement jewelry and the blazer/jean/heels combo. All hail. Not to mention, her curls are always on point. (credit:My Curves And Curls)
BLOGGER: Allison Teng (Curvy Girl Chic) (05 of41)
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Curvy Girl Chic's Allison Teng knows how to work heels and a summer floral like no one else. Her style is flirty and fun, and we'd seriously like to raid her closet. Her brand collaborations and chic looks kick serious butt. (credit:Curvy Girl Chic )
The Classic Jumpsuit (06 of41)
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Perfect for dressing up or down, this jumpsuit will make outfit pairing painless. Price: $116.36Get it at ASOS (credit:ASOS )
Retro-Cool Overalls (07 of41)
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The retro look is back in, which means it's time invest in these chic and comfy black overalls. Price: $95.21Get it at ASOS (credit:ASOS )
Everyday Boyfriend Jeans (08 of41)
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What would spring be if it weren't for the seasonal stylish pairing of boyfriend jeans and heels?Price: $90Get it at Addition Elle (credit:AdditionElle )
Cropped Top (09 of41)
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'Tis the season for way-too-cropped crop tops. Fortunately, this crop top's length is just right. Price: $18.80Get it at Forever 21 (credit:Forever 21)
Day And Night Dress (10 of41)
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This preppy button down dress is perfect for work, and after-work drinks. Price: $69.00Get it at The Bay (credit:The Bay)
Denim Shorts (11 of41)
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Finding the perfect pair of shorts can be a struggle, but these denim babies are just the right length and will be your definite go-to this spring. Price: $20Get it at Old Navy (credit:Old Navy)
Cut-Out Dress (12 of41)
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This breathable cut-out dress is just the right length, and the sexy cut-outs give it that extra edge. Perfect for pairing with pumps or booties. Price: $40 (Also available in Black) Get it at Boohoo (credit:Boohoo)
Flirty Floral Skirt(13 of41)
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We all need a good floral skirt in our closets and this one is the perfect cut and length. Who said curvier girls can't rock short skirts? Price: $44.50Get it at Torrid (credit:Torrid )
Crisp Collared Shirt (14 of41)
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Paired with a pair of boyfriend jeans or denim shorts, this perfectly oversized crisp collared shirt will make you look effortlessly cool.Price: $24.95Get it at H&M. (credit:H&M )
Simple Shirt Dress (15 of41)
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We all need a variation of this staple item in our closet. You're welcome.Price: $59.95Get it at Simply Bee (credit:Simply Bee)
Black Shorts (16 of41)
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These classic black chino shorts hit a bit above the knee, and are perfect way to dress up your day outfit.Price: $34.00Get it at Maurices (credit:Maurices )
Pretty Printed Shorts(17 of41)
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These checkered shorts are a flattering length and the loose fabric gives you room to breathe. Price: $17.90Get it at Forever 21. (credit:Forever 21)
Day-To-Day Swing Dress (18 of41)
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Sometimes swing dresses have a tarp-like effect, but this number makes the perfect piece to layer under a leather or denim jacket. Price: $30Get it at Boohoo (credit:Boohoo)
Open Shoulder Tee(19 of41)
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It's fun to show off some skin now and again. This tee's cutouts gives it some sass, making it perfectly sleek and stylish for spring. Price: $25.00Get it at Boohoo (credit:Boohoo )
Oversized Graphic Tee(20 of41)
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This graphic tee, complete with a relatable slogan, is perfect to be worn with ripped jeans and shorts, or even tucked into a skater skirt. Price: $30.00Get it at Boohoo (credit:Boohoo)
Ashley Graham(21 of41)
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Barbara Brickner(22 of41)
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Tocarra Jones(23 of41)
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Whitney Thompson(24 of41)
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Natalie Laughlin(25 of41)
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Laura Wells(26 of41)
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Robyn Lawley(27 of41)
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(French Revue de Modes photo)
Crystal Renn(28 of41)
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Chloe Marshall(29 of41)
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Justine LeGault(30 of41)
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Kate Dillon(31 of41)
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Mia Tyler(32 of41)
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Emme Aronson(33 of41)
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Tara Lynn(34 of41)
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Marquita Pring(35 of41)
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Kaela Humphries(36 of41)
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Candice Huffine(37 of41)
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Fluvia Lacerda(38 of41)
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Nadia Aboulhosn(39 of41)
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Anansa Sims(40 of41)
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Lizzie Miller(41 of41)
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