Gemma Collins has been focused on her family in recent days, after revealing her dad Alan was "fighting for his life" in hospital with coronavirus.
Admitting it was "so tough right now" the reality star gave fans an update on how she was coping as she took to Instagram on Thursday.
The former Towie star explained she was using exercise to help her stay "positive" and advised fans to follow her lead.
Sharing old pictures of herself on a run with friends, the 39-year-old - who turns 40 later this month - shared her new mindset.
She wrote: "She believed she could and she did."
And Gemma, who recently transformed her health by losing three stone, explained: "For anyone who is feeling totally fed up right now just remember one small step can make so many positive changes."
Of her own exercise regime, she told fans: "It started with walking then it lead to running and from running it went on to 7 mile bike rides."
As for how working out has helped, Gemma said: "I’ve got to say it’s so tough right now but these small steps can be life changing just try to keep focused and most importantly of all SELF LOVE is."
Unusually quiet on her social media, when she has made an appearance the influencer has ditched her funny persona to beg fans to stick to government guidelines amid her dad's Covid battle.
While both her parents caught the virus, it was her dad who was hardest hit.
She said on her podcast: "It has been just the most awful Christmas and New Year for me. I am not going to dwell on it.
"Both of my parents have had Covid. My dad is still in hospital now. He's literally been fighting for his life."
