Talking Lipedema with Curvygirlbeth
This two-part interview on the Spotlight Lipedema podcast features an in-depth version of Beth’s story: both her journey of learning to identify and manage lipedema, and how she became Curvygirlbeth. Beth has congenital lipedema that has been present from birth, but was unaware of the condition until well into adulthood. Until then, she chalked it up to her “Italian genes,” since her mother has the same body shape.
Beth promotes a key part of her lipedema message: “This is the kind of body you have, so live your life.” Indulging yourself for a special occasion is OK, as long as you recognize what your body can handle and take responsibility for it. Beth is glad to spread understanding of lipedema so that more young women can know that they are not alone and that a supportive community is out there to help them.
Progress Starts with Self-Acceptance
In this interview on The Obesity Revolution podcast, Beth discusses her philosophy of self-acceptance and offers tips for how to practice self-care for those who have lipedema. She supports the idea of food as medicine, and also that everyone should have daily movement, even something as simple as putting on your shoes and walking out the front door.
Those with lipedema have very reactive bodies that go through periods of intense inflammation in reaction to certain foods. Beth believes in knowing what foods are inflammatory to your body (i.e. sugar, grains) so you can avoid them when necessary. But also, if you decide to indulge for a day, you should do so without shame.
Above all, Beth’s philosophy is that “acceptance is key.” You can love yourself while still acknowledging your faults. As she says, “we are all here to be our best selves.”
Talk Show | The Plus Talk show Episode 1
Watch episode one of The Plus Talk Show, a new show celebrating everything from fashion to beauty to hot topics. Beth stars alongside Kelvin Davis, LornaLitz Baez, and Asia Monet. The show will deal with the topics that curvy people deal with every day and include interviews with celebrity guests.
Lipedema Ladies Interview Series with Brenda Viola
In this video interview, recorded just a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Beth tells her lipedema story as part of Lipedema Awareness Month. From childhood to her first diets, significant periods of weight gain, and her lipedema diagnosis well into adulthood, Beth takes us through the steps that made her the outspoken lipedema advocate she is now.
Beth also tells the story of how she became involved in social media under the name Curvygirlbeth. She explains how managing lipedema means maintaining her strength and mobility and staying as little inflamed as possible through exercising and a diet that works for her body. Though it was first identified in 1940, lipedema is still not well-known by the general public or the medical community, and Beth’s mission is to use her platform to increase understanding of this challenging condition.