Imogen: “I’ve been through grief and heartache, but I’ll find happiness again”
Former glamour model Imogen Thomas, 35, lifts the lid on her recent split from Adam Horsley, adjusting to life as a single mum and her surgery regrets
Kylie revealed earlier this year, “I just wanted to stop. I knew I needed to heal… My physical system was compromised. I think it’s called a nervous breakdown.”
She later added, “I did have to rebuild myself, physically and mentally a bit.”
And insiders say despite being left shocked by the news that ex Joshua had married Australian businesswoman Louisa Ainsworth last week following a whirlwind romance, Kylie wasn’t going to let anything dampen her new happiness.
A source reveals, “Obviously Joshua’s marriage came as a big surprise and Kylie couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. It initially brought back a lot of painful memories that she’s worked hard to get over. But she told friends she feels happier than ever and that everything happens for a reason. She’s so loved up with Paul she feels that every heartbreak and mistake has led to him.”
NEVER SACRIFICE WHO YOU REALLY ARE FOR LOVE
Six months ago, I split with my long-term partner and father to my girls [Ariana, five, and Siera, two] Adam [Horsley] after six years together. I thought we were the real deal, and it took me a long time to get over and get to where I am now. When you’ve been with someone for so long and suddenly it’s over, it’s hard to adjust to a new version of your life. I forced myself to pick up the pieces and get on with it for the sake of my girls. In all honesty, it was over a long time ago and we didn’t address it, but eventually we had the chat and he moved out. I gave up so much for Adam, he didn’t like being in the public eye, but that’s my livelihood. I won’t sacrifice myself for someone else again.
THINK BEFORE YOU GO UNDER THE KNIFE
Having a boob lift and reduction was the best decision I’ve made. I’d had a breast enlargement in 2007 from a C to a Dd-cup, but my boobs had gone so saggy after I had my girls and I had bad back pain. So I had surgery to go back to a C-cup last year and I’m so happy now, I might go even smaller to a B-cup within time. When I had my enlargement, glamour modelling was fashionable and everyone was getting their boobs made bigger, but that look isn’t popular any more and times have changed. When you become a mum, your body changes and it just doesn’t look good to have massive boobs. My friends who had implants have since had them taken out, because what they thought was a good decision at the time doesn’t work for them now. Surgery trends come and go all the time, and you should think long and hard before changing your body because it will likely go out of fashion.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ACCEPT HELP WITH MOTHERHOOD
It’s hard being a single mum, but I’m trying my best. At first I was like a fish out of water, but now my mum works for me as a nanny and stays over three days a week. She’s been an absolute godsend; I get to go out and still have fun when I can, while the girls get to spend time with their granny. I have my days where I want to scream after being with the girls 24/7 and dealing with tantrums. Ultimately, I’m the one bringing them up, and occasionally they’re going to take their frustration out on me, but they’ll grow out of that phase.
HEARTBREAK IS ONLY TEMPORARY
I definitely want to find love again and get married in the future. I’ve tested the waters and been on a few dates to get my confidence back, but then I decided not to properly search for love until at least a year has passed since my break-up. After being with someone for so long, you lose your identity and it’s important to re-balance and discover who you are before you meet someone new. I love kids, and if I met a partner who wanted them, I would 100 per cent be up for it.
BODY CONFIDENCE DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT
I’m 35 now and I don’t have the body of a 20 year old any more. All my weight falls on my hips, but I’ve grown to accept that staying in shape has never come easy to me. I went through a stage after my break-up of eating processed foods, chocolate, crisps and drinking too much wine. As a mum you can easily fall into that trap. I’ve been on diets where I’ve been so hungry I’ve had to run to the cupboard and binge on snacks, but I’ve realised that the trick to weight loss isn’t starving yourself! Recently, I lost 5lbs and went down from a size 12 to a 10 through portion control, home-cooked food, and a little bit of exercise.
TIME REALLY DOES HELP YOU COPE WITH GRIEF
I lost my dad, Charles, to cancer in 2015 and to be completely honest I’m still trying to cope with it. Luckily, he was able to meet my youngest daughter, Siera, when she was born, but passed away not long after. The past three years have been so hard and my dad is still on my mind every day. I’ve figured it’s something I’m never going to get over, but rather you just learn to cope with how things have changed. As much as people say it, time does help.