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Love Isle Alex: How I lost 2st ...and you can too!
Being catapulted into the spotlight is a whirlwind experience that nobody can quite prepare you for, as Love Island’s Alexandra Cane knows only too well. After appearing on the ITV2 reality show in 2018, Alex struggled with her newfound fame and increasingly hectic work schedule. As well as battling anxiety, the 28-year-old’s eating habits got stuck in a rut and she gained weight and felt sluggish.
But, instead of retreating, Alex threw herself into exercise to boost her mental health and turn things around. Her new healthy regime worked wonders and, after three months, she had dropped an impressive two stone and, more importantly, felt brighter than ever.
To celebrate her transformation and help other women in similar situations, Alex started the year with a bang when she launched Alexandra’s Happy Body Plan, a fitness and wellbeing app that aims to nourish body and soul.
We catch up with the recently single star to find out about the reality bubble, overhauling her life and how she came back after almost hitting rock bottom…
Hi Alex. We’re hooked on Love Island. Does it bring back memories for you?
One hundred per cent. Every series is so different and I love seeing the twists, turns and challenges. It’s such a fun, light-hearted programme and such a good watch.
Have any celebrity fans surprised you?
Jonathan Ross. He said to me,“You were one of my favourites.”I was gobsmacked as I used to watch him as a little kid and to hear that from someone you’ve admired was so surreal.
If you had the chance, would you do the show again?
I look at it like being at school. At the time it felt like such a roller coaster and whirlwind and was very overwhelming, but
I look back and it was one of the best experiences of my life. But would I choose to do it again? Probably not, as I’ve been there, done it and got the T-shirt and I’m so grateful for it. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
What advice do you have for this year’s Islanders?
Be yourself. I only found out I was going into the villa about 10 days before and I’m so glad. It meant everyone saw the real me. It’s been the best thing for me and even the heavy work schedule coming out afterwards made me want to work harder.
You’ve spoken about going through a tough time last year.What happened?
My family had two major health scares. I almost lost my parents and was dealing with that privately, as well as the pressures of coming out of the show. I never opened up about it and was so focused on work and trying to do the best by everyone, but I wasn’t doing it to the best of my ability.
Did that affect your wellbeing?
When you’re being pulled from pillar to post and struggling for time, you grab and go. I’d pick up something I thought was healthy, like a tuna and cucumber sandwich, but it wasn’t at all. That adds to the weight, and combined with the lack of sleep and many other factors, I felt rubbish.
‘The progress I’ve made is insane – I could burst with energy’
How bad did it get for you?
It got to a point where I felt really, really low. I completely lost myself. I had brain fog, anxiety, insomnia and didn’t feel like me. I was snapping at everyone and was really negative. I thought, “Something has got to change.”
You then got into fitness. How has that helped?
I met my trainer, Aaron, through a mutual friend. He’s been incredible. And it’s not just the training side of things – it’s the psychological, too. He’s got me past mental barriers that I had with training, such as having panic attacks. I’ve overcome them now. He’s my modern-day Mr Motivator!
How often do you work out?
It really depends on what my schedule is. The HIIT workouts I do are all 10 minutes long, so they’re short and intense, but also fun and enjoyable. I like to get them done in the morning because it sets my day up and I feel great afterwards,
but sometimes I know it’s just not possible – I want that extra 10 minutes in bed. It’s crazy to look back at where I started. I used to walk up a hill and feel exhausted. Now I’m doing workouts all the way through without breaking a sweat.The progress I’ve made is insane and I feel so healthy and fit. I could burst with energy.
Is that where the idea for your app came from?
Yes, I wanted to share the love with everyone and show people it’s possible. I’ve been offered silly money to promote flat tummy teas and all of that nonsense, but they don’t fit with what I’m about. I’ve done this naturally and not resorted to surgery, and I’m reaping the benefits both physically and mentally.
How much weight have you lost?
I don’t really like to weigh myself because everybody’s body is so different, so it’s important not to get hung up on the scales and dress sizes. But I’ve lost over two stone. I’m currently nine stone and started at just over 11. At my heaviest I was probably a size 10-12 and now I’m a 6-8. But more importantly, I feel amazing.
Is it strange that you were described as the “curvy girl” when you were only a size 10?
I actually lost weight in the villa because it’s such a high-pressure environment and really nerveracking. I came out and was about a size 8, but obviously the TV does add pounds. Afterwards I did gain weight and was at my heaviest. After being labelled the “curvy girl” I did feel a bit worried that I was letting people down. But even though you see the visual on Instagram, you don’t know what’s going on inside. I felt rubbish and I wanted to feel my best.
Have you achieved that?
I have such a spring in my step. Each morning I wake up before my alarm and am so excited to start my day. My friends say I’m glowing from the inside. Thoughts I used to have have disappeared and I’m much more positive.
I feel like a completely different person.
Alexandra’s Happy Body Plan is available at thehappybody plan.com or on app via iTunes and Google Play, priced £49.99 or £19.99 a month