Being thin didn't make me happy
| Published date | 23 June 2022 |
| Publication title | Huddersfield Daily Examiner |
"Now, after years of hard work on myself, I have a healthy relationship with most things. I have an addictive personality which can lead to anything like exercise, healthy eating, alcohol. I can be prone to excessive tendencies," the 34-year-old writes.
"I work really hard to keep balance in my life. I've removed myself from most toxic situations that would exacerbate my obsessive qualities, such as being around people who make me nervous or insecure. That can make me want to drink or bring out old food compulsions that make me feel more in control."
Today, she lives in her dream £1.5m house with fiancé, ex-Towie star Ercan Ramadan, and says she's the happiest she's ever been. In terms of her relationship with alcohol now, Vicky reflects in the book: "I like to think drinking too much is totally behind me now because I know it's a recipe for anxiety."
Here's how Vicky's approach to taking care of herself has changed... How do you keep your addictive side at bay? I exercise regularly - and not to my detriment. I get a lot of fresh air and don't deprive myself of anything. I have nights in and I also have nights out. I have pizza when I want pizza and I eat the right amount of lettuce.
Times have changed (in relation to exercise). I've talked to my trainer about the way the industry has moved and it's more focused on wellness and mental health and training to be strong or capable rather than for some impossible, unrealistic aesthetic - and I'm all for that progression.
How do you feel when you look in the mirror? It's hard as a woman. I don't know many women who look in the mirror and go, 'Yes!'. I don't know if that's in us, or society or the media or Instagram. But I'm the happiest I've ever been in my own skin.
That has taken being really thin and realising that didn't make me happy. Being slightly bigger and probably a bit unhealthy didn't make me happy either.
It's taken getting to 34 and experiencing all these extremes and realising that none of them brought me happiness, to work out that happiness probably lies in the middle.
A little bit of squish, but getting your endorphins going every morning; greens, yes, but also cheese.
I'm now a really nice size 10...
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