Just seven months ago, Chantelle Houghton was showing the results of her 2st weight loss and a non-surgical facelift, admitting she felt more confident than ever following years away from the spotlight.
But the star, who found fame on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, reveals she’s since regained the weight she lost last year. However, instead of rushing to slim down, she’s determined to embrace her new-found curves.
Chantelle, 36, tells Closer, “My weight has gone up again. I’m nearly 13st and I’ve never been this heavy in my life. I’ve gone up to a size 14-16, and at the moment, I’m even wearing a size 18 blouse, but it doesn’t bother me.”
While she’s followed a healthy plant-based diet for the last six years, she puts her weight gain down to leading a sedentary lifestyle during lockdown and feeling loved-up with her fiancé Michael Strutt. The pair became engaged in April, after just three months together, and Chantelle admits she’s “never known love like it”.
She says, “I’m not gorging on snacks and treats but I’m moving less and eating more. I’ve been eating three full meals a day, including a vegan cooked breakfast. Some evenings, I’ll have a packet of crisps out of boredom. Carbs have always been my downfall and I’ve been having a lot of bread and butter. It all goes on my stomach. When you’re in a happy relationship too, you don’t worry about what you’re eating and you do gain weight.”
And the former glamour model, who shares a seven-year-old daughter with Alex Reid, says her fuller figure has even prompted others to assume she’s pregnant. Luckily, she sees the funny side.
“Last week I went to the hairdressers and the receptionist looked at me and said, ‘Oh Chantelle, congratulations!’ I giggled and said, ‘Don’t be embarrassed, but I’ve just put on a lot of weight!’ My tummy has always been my problem area; people have been coming up to me for years and asking, ‘When is it due?’ I’ve got used to it now.”
Chantelle’s relaxed attitude is a far cry from the “obsessive” feelings that plagued her during her twenties after being crowned winner of CBB. For years, she yo-yoed between a size 8 and a size 16 and even suffered with an eating disorder, but she says her negative mindset is a thing of the past.
She candidly admits, “I’ve spent so many years of my life worrying about my weight and wasted time thinking, ‘I shouldn’t eat this or that.’ But life is too short and I love food.
“When I was younger, I was always checking the scales and dress sizes, counting calories and comparing myself to others. It was mental torture trying to achieve something that wasn’t maintainable. Now I feel like a weight has been lifted and I’ve accepted that I’ll always fluctuate.”
Watch: Celebrity Big Brother secrets revealed by India Willoughby
And Chantelle believes her fiancé Michael is the main reason she feels at peace with her body. Despite getting together earlier this year, the pair have known each other for nine years, as Michael lived next door to Chantelle’s parents, and he has two children with his ex-partner. Since they’ve been together romantically, Chantelle says her confidence has soared.
“Usually I wouldn’t want anyone to see me naked, but I know Michael wouldn’t ever be put off by the way I look. He knows all my flaws and my insecurities. I’ve never had that feeling before with anyone. I’ve always felt self-conscious and anxious with partners, but with Michael, I don’t worry about the way I look. That’s how I know it feels right.”
While the pair plan to buy their first family home together next year, Chantelle admits they’ve enjoyed their downtime during lockdown, going for walks and cooking. She jokes she’s even tried to tempt Michael to become a vegan.
“We really have been enjoying the slower-paced life and spending more time in nature. Michael loves my cooking. Yesterday we had a Chinese takeaway and I introduced him to tofu – and he liked it! I do cook meat for him and it doesn’t bother me, because it’s his individual choice. People will always eat meat and you’re never going to persuade the rest of the world to go vegan. For me, I try to make sure that I know where the meat I buy comes from.”
While she’s dealt with speculation over pregnancy rumours, Chantelle admits she would love to add to her family one day. She says, “We have spoken about children, and I would like more, but I’m in no rush. We’ll have a small, cute church wedding in 2022 and just want to enjoy the next year or two.”
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Meanwhile, Chantelle has remained firm friends with her ex-husband and fellow CBB star and musician, Preston, despite marrying in 2006 and divorcing a year later. And she admits that Michael has no qualms about their friendship.
She adds, “Preston is beyond an ex. He’s a huge part of my life, which I can’t erase. I’ve spoken to Michael about my friendship with him and he’s fine with it. He knows there are no feelings of love or desire towards him. Michael trusts me and that’s the main thing.”
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