STRICTLY Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor has opened up about how her post-baby body left her feeling “deep shame”.
The mother-of-one – who is currently competing alongside Johannes Radebe on the BBC One competition – admitted to struggling with her confidence due to her “deflated” body.
Ellie admitted she had felt “shame” over her body
The TV star said she struggled with her post-pregnancy body
Ellie, 38, who welcomed daughter Valentina almost four years ago, said she struggled to come to terms with her post-baby body.
The TV star said she was left with “deflated breasts” and a “spongey stomach” after putting on four stone during her pregnancy.
She wrote to Facebook: “My breasts are deflated… my stomach is spongey and quivering, like a panna cotta that’s been left out of the fridge for too long.
“My body has decided it is best if it keeps hold of some of the four stone I put on when pregnant.
“I would look in the mirror and not understand what I saw there. That wasn’t me. This skin I inhabited shamed me. Sometimes it still does.”
Ellie said she spent time shaming herself further by looking at mums who had “snapped back” more easily from pregnancy.
She continued in the post, titled An Ode to My Post-Baby Body: “Pre-baby, my body was a show home – bright, aspirational and tastefully lit by stylish lamps from Heals.
“But then my baby moved in and the walls got scuffed, the carpet got stained and one of the lamps got broken during a game of indoor frisbee.
“The ‘show home’ became a ‘home’. It’s now very unlikely to feature on any Pinterest boards, but what it lacks in chic decor it makes up for in stories and heart.”
She concluded by encouraging herself, reminding that she had “incubated, born and nourished” her young daughter.
Ellie told other mums: “To risk sounding like an inspirational fridge magnet, we all only get one go at living, so it’s safe to say there is never ever time to waste crying in a New Look changing room because an ‘XL’ is a bit tight.”
It comes after it was revealed that Ellie was being pushed hard by her partner Johannes – training for ten hours a day.
The professional dancer, 35, said that there is “no competition” with the other couples and is positive he can get to the final and lift the glitterball trophy with Ellie.
Speaking exclusively to SE about his chances of winning, Johannes said: “There is nothing in trying if you know what I mean, I’m sure Ellie would say different, but I say wow, I’m here, why not go for the glitterball.
“The training has been gruelling; we work more than 10 hours a day and I love the fact that she’s got a supportive family who make sure those hours are possible for her.
“That is why I said I wish she could be applauded for what she does because honestly she has dedicated her life to this experience and that is the most beautiful thing for me.”
