Chanelle Hayes says she wants to redefine the way ‘positive’ bodies are presented as she shared a dramatic before and after image of herself.
The 33-year-old reality star shot to fame back in 2007 as a fresh faced 19-year-old on the Channel 4 version of Big Brother.
In the subsequent years, she went on to become a glamour model – posing for lads mags including Nuts and Zoo – and was lusted after by many for her good looks and toned body.
In the years since, Chanelle has struggled with her weight – reaching 17st 4lbs at which time she underwent surgery and has since dropped to 9st 10lbs.
As someone who has experienced dramatic changes to their body, Chanelle knows what it is like to be viewed by fans, followers and members of the public as her figure changed dramatically over the years.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Chanelle shared a ‘before and after’ photo of herself – with one image showing her in the prime of her youth, while a second image shows her in her current form which includes excess skin due to her recent drastic weight loss.
In a powerful statement, Chanelle says it is time for society to challenge what body types should be considered “good”.
She wrote: “So today I wanted to do a different type of ‘before and after’.
“It isn’t always perfect body = good and wobbly bits = bad. I am conscious that things on Instagram always imply that people are perfect.
“Yes, I’ve lost a lot of weight but my body wobbles and jiggles to its own rhythm.”
Addressing the two images that she shared side by side, she continued: “In the earlier picture, I didn’t have loose skin as I was 19 and hadn’t fluctuated much with my weight then, but I did have lumps and bumps.
“I was taught that this was bad by everything imperfect being airbrushed out. This airbrushing and editing conditioned our whole society into thinking we weren’t good enough if our skin wasn’t smooth enough or stomach wasn’t flat enough.
“There were even pages in magazines with ‘the circle of shame’ circling our cellulite or belly rolls.
“It was horrid being featured in those columns for what nature gave us.”
She went on: “I know I’ve been posting a lot of before and after weight loss pictures recently and that’s because I am proud at how my health has improved.
“But please don’t think that underneath the clothes my body looks like that of a 19 year old because I am a 33 mother of two who has had giant weight fluctuations and put my body through hell and my body tells that story.”
She concluded: “I am proud of what I’ve lost, but with the stretch marks, loose skin, sagging areas, I am also proud of what I’ve gained. Let’s keep it real.”
Chanelle’s statement has been applauded with followers who have congratulated her on her honesty – and backed her campaign to change social stereotypes.
One fan replied to the images and comment writing: “stunning in both pics” – while another wrote: “Best Post I've seen in ages.”
