Vicky Pattison has admitted that was left feeling ‘anxious and lonely’ after trying for many years to be as thin as possible.
The reality star, 33, reflected on her weight and formerly being ‘obsessed with a number on a scale’ as she shared two pictures of herself to Instagram on Wednesday.
Sharing a lengthy caption to encourage her fans to ‘accept their bodies’, Vicky penned: ‘Skinny does not always mean healthy! Just thought I’d leave that there…
Candid: Vicky Pattison admitted that being skinny made her feel ‘anxious and lonely’ as she shared two snaps of herself to Instagram on Wednesday
‘For years I did everything in my power to be as thin as I possibly could be – obsessed with a number on a scale or the size on a label.
‘I lost a huge amount of my self esteem in this desperate & never ending pursuit of perfection & in the end, I was never going to be happy.
‘Because the problem wasn’t my body, it was my mindset. Being skinny didn’t make me happy- it made me anxious, lonely & f*****g hungry.’
Vicky then explained: ‘You know what makes me happy? Being strong, being fit, being healthy & having balance in my life. (Oh & cheese)
Happier: The star, 33, urged her fans to ‘accept their bodies’ and added she’s now realised there’s things she should ‘hold in higher regard’ than being thin (pictured in December)
‘So lasses, let’s stop putting so much pressure on ourselves, let’s stop punishing ourselves & sacrificing so much of ourselves just for an unrealistic aesthetic. Realise you are worth so much more.
‘I have realised as I got older that there is so much more to life than just how I look & so many things that I should hold in higher regard- being kind, being strong, being healthy and above all else.. Being happy.’
The beauty’s post was inspired as a response to a recent challenge which is doing the rounds on TikTok and sees girls trying to wrap headphones around their waists.
Commenting on the ‘terrifying’ trend, Vicky said: ‘After discovering that certain toxic trends are gaining serious pace on tiktok this post felt important.
Advice: Vicky reflected on her past while slamming a ‘terrifying’ new TikTok trend which sees young girls try to wrap headphone wires around their waists
Calling the trend ‘terrifying’, Vicky said she was making an ‘honest appeal to urge women to accept their bodies, love their shape & stop being so hard on themselves.’
She continued: ‘Ladies, I hope you know how wonderful you all are & how much more you have to offer than a clothes size or a bikini pic.. You’re all beautiful in your own ways and you’re all sheroes to me!’
Vicky also shared a picture of Instagram fitness sensation Courtney Black, who appeared on her podcast recently to speak about her own weight journey.
Speaking up: Vicky also shared a snap of Instagram fitness sensation Courtney Black (pictured), who appeared on her podcast recently to speak about her own weight journey
Vicky released a fitness DVD in 2013 after dropping five dress sizes from a 16 to a 6 and has often reflected on her former fitness obsession.
In January she admitted that she used to ‘deprive’ herself even after eating healthy snacks such as hummus.
The I’m A Celebrity star also said that is has taken her until the age of 33 to embrace her ‘curves’ and that she now ‘owns’ her figure.
Talking on her The Secret To series, Vicky said: ‘When I did my fitness DVD I had such an unhealthy obsession with a number on a scale. I wanted to be the skinniest I could. I remember being in a size 6 from River Island.
‘And there is no problem with that. There are loads of petite women out there. But I am not one of them. I am not a naturally petite woman. I am curvy. I really am.
Sensational: The I’m A Celebrity star recently revealed that is has taken her until the age of 33 to embrace her ‘curves’ and that she now ‘owns’ her figure (pictured in April)
‘I love that now. But it has taken until 33 to say that. And to own that and to mean it. To really mean it.’
Last year, Vicky spoke to MailOnline about her struggles with body image and credited her boyfriend Ercan Ramadan for helping her overcome them.
She said: ‘I’m always going to be a size 10, someone who watches what they eat, but I’m happy with that! I like what I see in the mirror, I like my curves and I am who I am.
‘Being 30, in a healthy relationship with someone who likes the way I am and how I look, that’s really helped me accept the way I look right now.
‘I’ll always try and be healthy and exercise, but that’s more so for my mindset and wellbeing, as opposed to my aesthetic. Your 30s aren’t that bad!’
Support system: Last year, Vicky spoke to MailOnline about her struggles with body image and credited her boyfriend Ercan Ramadan for helping her overcome them (pictured in 2020)