I came up with a very unusual way to save on energy bills – people sometimes stop and stare at me, but my wife loves it

One NATURIST, who even goes completely NAKED to his local bar, claims the unusual lifestyle saves him a “fortune” on clothing and energy bills.

Stuart Gilmour, 43, said he feels most confident naked and now only gets dressed to go to work or to go shopping.

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The father-of-two said he was always comfortable naked and when he was vacationing with his parents as a teenager he would quickly drive away to find a quiet spot to sunbathe naked.

Despite his pared down lifestyle, his wife Karen, 42, Googled “Why is my husband always naked?”. that he came across the word “naturism” – a lifestyle and cultural movement promoting social nudity.

The carter from Middleton, Greater Manchester, claims he was saved a “fortune” in energy costs by stripping it all down.

Stuart said being a naturalist is beneficial to his mental, physical and emotional health.

The 43-year-old claims that adopting the alternative lifestyle “lifts his spirits” and that the support he has received from family, friends and the public has been overwhelmingly positive.

Stuart, who has even cycled naked for charity, has created a Facebook page to promote naturism and all its benefits, which has amassed more than 1,100 likes and followers.

The advocate of body positivity wants to spread the message that “every body is beautiful” and that naturism shows everyone that it’s “ok to be different” – be it in terms of size, shape or colour.

Stuart, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, said: “I feel more comfortable and confident without clothes, believe it or not.

“I feel better about myself, have more self esteem and confidence – It has saved me a fortune in clothing and energy costs as I don’t run the laundry or dryer as often.

“A lot of people have body issues, if I’m wearing pants or a shirt, I’m always conscious and I’m like, ‘Is this shirt too tight? Or are the jeans too tight? Or does it cut in?’

“But if you’re naked, none of them hung up.”

Stuart said he was comfortable being naked from a young age, adding, “I used to go on holiday with my parents and I told them when I was about 16-17, ‘I’m going away.’ .

“I would climb a bit, but then I just find a quiet place where no one is around, undress and sunbathe for a few hours, get dressed and then come back.”

Stuart said that at first he would only undress in the comfort of his own home and garden, but when he was by a canal on a scorching hot day he decided to go for a bike ride naked.

Stuart said: “I was absolutely petrified.

“It was very nerve-wracking because you don’t know how to be perceived.

“When I did that, everyone was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s amazing’.”

He claims naturism has many benefits such as replenishing your natural vitamin D levels and in the winter months he enjoys wild swimming which he says is great for his mental health.

Stuart said: “For me it just lifts my spirits and I’m a much happier person all round.

“I go for walks and did a local walk in the reservoirs the other day. It’s actually a conversation starter with people.

“You talk and they say, ‘Oh, are you a naturist?’ and you just have a conversation with people you would never have a conversation with, it would just be “Hiya” and then you would move on.

“It makes you feel better, it’s better for your circulation because your body is doing what it’s supposed to be doing to control your temperature, everything just seems to be working a lot better.”

It’s common sense to dress when it gets really cold, but I’m a naturally warm person myself

Stuart Gilmour, 43

He added: “There is a local pub for me that will let me in as a naturist.

“Another pub lets me in as a naturist, but I call first and ask if they are okay with a naturist visiting their property instead of just walking in.

“Because at the end of the day it’s private property and I don’t want to upset anyone.

“It’s not illegal in public, so they can look at you or turn their backs on you, but when you’re on private property it’s a little bit different, it’s just mutual respect, isn’t it?”

“I just love being able to experience everyday life without the limitations of clothing, encouraging body positivity and embracing the individuality of our bodies.

“Naturism shows people that it’s okay to be different, be it in size, shape or colour, and the overall well-being it can give you.

“Every body is beautiful.”