LYDIA BRIGHT

27, former TOWIE star and fashion entrepreneur

‘From the moment I could walk, I’ve loved dancing. I grew up studying ballet, tap and street dance and developed the slim, athletic frame of a dancer. But while all the other girls at school had boobs and hips, I was very flat-chested, which I hated. When I joined the cast of The Only

Way Is Essex at 18, I was happier with myself – I guess I’d grown up – which made it easier to cope with the pressures of being on TV. I never felt like I had to dress like the other girls, who often wore tight dresses and super-high heels. And although lots of the girls on the show were very voluptuous, I liked my smaller size eight frame.

I’ve managed to sculpt a more womanly figure with exercise. I’ll never be super-curvy and there’s nothing I can do about my 32B boobs, but I’ve built muscle in my bum with weighted squats and lunges and I’ve slimmed down my waist with cardio and side planks. I exercise every day; either cardio at the gym or, if I’m short on time, a quick abs workout or HIIT session at home.

I eat healthily – my diet’s packed with protein, brown rice, quinoa and fruit. I hate the way I feel after I’ve stuffed my body with junk food, which only ever happens when I’m hungover. But when I’m stressed, I struggle to eat because I feel sick, especially during heartbreak – like in 2012 when I was on and off with my ex James Argent. I lost about a stone and dropped a dress size, but it wasn’t intentional.

Now, I’m a healthier 8st 12lbs and stronger and more muscular than I’ve ever been. I’m finally content with who I am, inside and out.’ Lydia’s book Live, Laugh, Love, Always, Lydia (£16.99, Orion Spring) is out now