ROUTE TO WELLTH
The TV star turned self-help author on therapy, refusing injectables and realising that the pursuit of skinny didn’t serve her
Appreciate
I was obsessed with my weight long before I was on TV or dropped weight for my fitness DVD. I grew up believing that to be happy or desirable you had to be waif-like; I thought when I’d fit into a size 6 or see 8st on the scale I’d finally accept myself. When I did get there [via extreme, unhealthy means] and didn’t suddenly love myself, I just thought, what the f*ck? I was so angry that being thin didn’t make me happy.
Balance
I’ve had a complicated relationship with alcohol: drinking to excess in my Geordie Shore days and then again when imposter syndrome hit following my I’m A Celebrity win in 2015. Now, I don’t go over five to 10 units per week and can easily go a week without drinking.
Sweat
Hard, fast training will always have my heart, and I’ll pop in for a session with my old trainer when I’m back in Newcastle. But now, I complement this with reformer Pilates and long walks with Milo, my golden Labrador. The best workout schedule is one that’s balanced, intensity-wise.
Heal
I was basically dragged to my first session with [husband-and-wife therapy duo] the Speakmans. They gave me some time out and a blanket; then, within an hour, I was sobbing like a baby. I’ve not looked back.
Nourish
I would eat smashed avocado on sourdough with a poached egg every day if I could – plus bacon on the weekends. But when I’m in a rush, I’ll grab a yoghurt or a smoothie.
For lunch, I like a wrap filled with veg and protein or a Nando’s butterfly chicken breast with rice and salad. Dinner might be a teriyaki salmon stir-fry or, if I come home from wor
