By Susan Knox
Gemma Collins has opened up about her weight loss struggles in a candid Instagram post where she poses in an eye-catching bikini.
The former TOWIE star, 43, has been on a mission to lose more weight ever since she dropped over three stone during the Covid pandemic back in 2020. The GC, who is currently lapping up the sunshine on a trip to the Maldives, is adamant that she loves her body regardless of what dress size she is, but explained why she's finding it hard to stick to her exercise and diet routine.
Posing in a black bikini featuring a blue swirl design, Gemma blew a kiss to the camera as she opened up about her weight loss struggles in the caption. The reality TV icon wrote: "Against all odds and eating chicken for a whole week with water working out 2 hours a day and losing 4 …. Yes I repeat .4 !!!! of a LB.
"My heart is being ripped out. Why me? why can I master everything except weight loss? Well I’m gonna keep showing up and I’m gonna keep going against all odds but some days it just breaks you. Shout out to all the people who feel this. Can you IMAGINE!!! Eating a handful of chicken and water for a whole week and working out I was shook when the scales said .4," Gemma added.
Gemma went on to list the three medical diagnosis' she has been given by doctors which hinder her from achieving her weight loss goals. The TV star added: "Metabolic Syndrome, Underactive Thyroid, and PCOS - the struggle is real but like F will it stop me."
It wasn't long before Gemma's famous pals and followers alike flocked to the comment section to praise the star for her honesty and vulnerability. Former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison commented: "This mindset Gemma mate!!! That's what makes you special!! And for what it's worth girl, I think you already look amazing."
"Thank you for sharing this!! So many people in this situation who feel ashamed and like they’re doing something wrong. Keep being you," another complimented. "Totally disheartening but it's about how you feel, and you always look good. Keep going," someone else encouraged.
Gemma has long spoken candidly about her weight loss journey and struggles with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can make it much more difficult to shed the pounds. While competing on Dancing On Ice back in 2019, Gemma decided to start making some positive lifestyle changes, and has steadily lost weight over the last couple of years, losing an impressive 3.5 stone.
Having ruled out surgical intervention, Gemma prefers to go about things the natural way, and is understood to enjoy outdoorsy pursuits such as walking and cycling. Addressing comments about weight loss surgery via Instagram, Gemma previously said: "A lot of people say 'Gemma you've struggled with your weight for so long, just go and have the operation'. But there is still that part in me that just wants to do it naturally and doesn't want to give up.
"I am not knocking anyone that's had the op because everyone's stories are different but for me, I am a bit scared of operations, so this is going to take me a while. I really feel positive this time, health is wealth. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don't feel healthy you ain't got nothing. So if you're feeling unmotivated today - get up, get moving, and just feel yourself and you're going to be just fine."
Most importantly of all, Gemma has 'made peace' with herself, and has come to a place of self-acceptance, whereby she tries not to focus on her weight too much. In January last year, Gemma toldThe Sun: "I have made peace with my weight. This is me. I am never going to be a Victoria's Secret Model. I struggle and I am real about it. It gets harder the older you get. I'm in my forties now. But at the end of the day, I think I am attractive. I think I am gorgeous. There is a lot of junk in my trunk but I am always keeping an eye on my health."
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