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BODY CONFIDENT
BIG Brother legend Chantelle Houghton has revealed she no longer "feels trapped inside my own body" after losing four-and-a-half stone in weight.
The media personality, who found fame as a producer plant on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, has transformed her diet by removing sugar entirely, and it's worked wonders for her.
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The result is a much happier Chantelle who, at 40, is feeling fitter and healthier than ever.
In an exclusive interview in conjunction with Ice 36, she said of her impressive weight loss: "I feel great. I've lost about four-and-a-half stone. I was overweight.
"Physically and mentally, I feel amazing. I'm completely sugar-free. I don't eat or drink any sugar.
"The effect of doing that has had such a positive effect on me - mentally and physically. I'm the healthiest and the fittest that I've ever been."
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Chantelle is now a size eight weighing 9st 6lbs and is enjoying the new found freedom she has when she hits the shops.
She said: "I can actually walk into a shop and pick [clothes] off a hanger and get my size and go and buy it, rather than having to try it to make sure it hides this and doesn't go there.
"It's just really freeing to feel comfortable in your own body. I felt kind of trapped in my own body for a long time because I wasn't happy with it.
"Now I don't feel self-conscious. I just feel really happy and content."
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Last year, the popular reality star bravely spoke about going through a traumatic relationship.
She detailed being the victim of narcissistic abuse and coercive control, sharing a tearful picture from the time of the ordeal.
The mum-of-one went public with her story to raise awareness of domestic abuse and be a voice for those who might be experiencing something similar.
Now single, happy and content, Chantelle revealed the non-negotiable things she'd require from a future partner.
She explained: "I'm not dating at the moment. I'm not looking to date, but I'm not also saying I'm not going to date.
"If I met someone and I liked them then yeah I'd go out on a date with them.
"Honesty, trust, compatibility, and understanding, I suppose. I've got a child they'd need to know always comes first. Those things are really important to me."
Chantelle, who returned to the CCTV house in 2010 for Ultimate Big Brother, also had some sage words of advice for her younger self.
She said: "To remember I need to be happy with me rather than looking for happiness somewhere else and to focus on myself first and not anyone else, because that is what has got me to a place of feeling happy.
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"Just know what you want out of your life, not chasing something that you think you should be chasing, and just be happy with you."
With Big Brother rebooting on ITV this autumn and with a host of show favourites tipped to make a return, it would be great to see a bright, bubbly and confident Chantelle on screen again.
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