She’s had a tough few years since undergoing life-altering surgery that permanently changed her body. And now, Michelle Heaton reveals that just getting dressed every day can be difficult for her.
Michelle – who underwent both a double mastectomy in 2012 and a hysterectomy in 2015 to lessen the chances of developing cancer– says, “I feel as good as I can do in my own skin. I feel good in clothes, but it’s a struggle looking in the mirror, to be honest.
“When I get changed, I don’t really look. I just pass over it; it’s not out of disgust, it’s more like, ‘OK, I know my scars are there, on my chest and on my tummy. Let’s just get dressed as quickly I can.’ Because otherwise, I’m just standing there, acknowledging everything, and it’s tough. I’m so proud of what my body has done for me, but it can be hard looking at myself sometimes.”
Mum-of-two Michelle had her womb and both breasts removed after doctors discovered she was carrying the BRCA2 gene, which significantly increases the chance of getting ovarian and breast cancer.
Michelle previously admitted that the operations and early menopause she had to go through as a result, aged 35, have had a devastating impact on her life, saying she lost her libido and that her mood swings nearly ruined her marriage to husband-of- nine-years Hugh Hanley. She previously told Closer, “Menopause can cause a lot of marriages to break up. My mum and dad split up when she was going through menopause, which scared me a little. I lost my libido, too.”
But Michelle now says that thanks to the hormone replacement therapy she undergoes, and the use of vaginal strengthening product Silk’n Tightra, her sex life is the best it’s been in a long time.
CHECK OUT 15 female celebrities who will inspire you to hit the gym
Need some gymspiration? Here are 15 female celebrities who will inspire you to hit the gym - SLIDER
1 of 15These ladies are all the gymspiration you need
2 of 15Binky Felstead
Named "gymspiration" of the year Binky Felstead is quickly becoming our favourite super-fit celeb. Not only has she recently been signed to Select Models, but the reality star is also the UK brand ambassador for sports brand Reebok.It's safe to say she's motivated after all, during her pregnancy with baby India she continued with her strict training regime with her personal trainer Tyrone.**How often does Binky Felstead work out?**Binky has revealed she likes to work out a few times a week: "I'm addicted to training, I love it so much. I probably train 3 times a week."I literally can't stop, and it makes me feel so much better and healthier and healthier," she told OK! magazine.
3 of 15Scarlett Moffatt
**How did Scarlett Moffatt lose weight?**Over the past few years Scarlett Moffatt has gone through an incredible body transformation. After finding out she was putting herself in danger by being overweight, the Gogglebox star lost an impressive three stone.She told New! magazine: "I've just started exercising quite a bit actually. I'd say I do HIT [High Intensity Training] about three times a week."She has since become fit and healthy, and has gone on to release her own fitness DVD Scarlett's SuperSlim Me Plan so we can all follow in her slender footsteps.Thanks Scar!There's since been reports that her DVD was a 'sham' however the TV presenter has since been papped getting fit and healthy bu going to the gym.
4 of 15Khloe Kardashian
**How did Khloe Kardashian lose weight?**The youngest Kardashian sister has proved that hard work in the gym REALLY pays off.Khloe Kardashian has a body that's toned-yet-curvy, and regularly posts photos that make us very envious. As well as hitting the gym five times a week with her personal trainer Don, Khloe also recently revealed that she now watches what she eats and drinks five to six litres of water a day.**How much does Khloe Kardashian weigh?**We know that Khloe lost 40 pounds but we're not sure if she even knows how much she weighs. She told PeopleStyle: "I don't weigh myself, I don't believe in numbers."
5 of 15Lorraine Kelly
**How did Lorraine Kelly lose weight?**We LOVE Lorraine Kelly. Not only does her show make our mornings that little bit better, but at 57-years-old she's proof that you can be fit and fabulous at any age. Over the last few years she's dropped from a size 14 to a size 10, and confessed that keeping fit and exercising has also helped her mentally.Want to get fit the Lorraine Kelly way? Well you can thanks to her fitness DVD Lorraine Brand New You.
6 of 15Louise Thompson
**How much does Louise Thompson weigh?**Binky's Made in Chelsea cast mate Louis Thompson is always posting photos of her body that make us want to run to the gym and eat a tub of ice cream at the same time (it's all VERY confusing tbh!). She regularly trains with her boyfriend Ryan Libbey - who happens to be an athlete, personal trainer and fitness model (hot!) - and has revealed that when she's in the gym she spends most of her time using weights.We're not actually sure how much she weighs - she doesn't either - but she has revealed a few of her workout routines to OK!: "We [Ryan and herself] will do four sets of eight reps for each exercise, which include things like deadlifts and weight squats."With the heavy weights, I have recently learnt to make a note of what I'm doing so that I can improve every fortnight and try to life heavier."Thanks for the tips, Lou!
7 of 15Davina McCall
**What does Davina McCall eat?**Davina McCall - who is in her forties and looks absolutely fabulous - has been giving us major fitness inspiration for years now. She regularly works out, and recently revealed that she's also cut sugar from her diet (yes, that means no more chocolate brownies, guys!).Want a hot bod just like hers? Then you need to check out her workout DVD Davina 5 Week Fit.
8 of 15Lucy Watson
**What does Lucy Watson eat?**As you can see from her social media photos, former Made in Chelsea star Lucy Watson has an amazing body. She eats healthy (she's recently been following a vegan diet), regularly goes to the gym and constantly makes us want to work out more.Lucy - what's your secret?!
9 of 15Kate Wright
**Has Kate Wright had surgery?**Did someone say body goals? Yes, TOWIE's Kate Wright has without a doubt one of the best bodies on Instagram. She's curvy, fit, toned, and regularly shares videos of herself working out. Not only do her videos help keep us motivated, but she's also really great at detailing exactly what exercises she's doing so we can all copy.Thanks Kate!And other than her lip fillers she's not had any plastic surgery.
10 of 15Helen Mirren
**How does Helen Mirren stay in shape?**Can you believe Helen Mirren is in her seventies? No, neither can we! The actress has previously revealed that she stays fit by doing a 12 minute exercise inspired by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Yes, 12 minutes! Now that's the kind of workout we're into. She told Hello! magazine: "It is the exercise I have done off and on my whole life."It just very gently gets you fit. Two weeks of doing that and you think: 'Yeah, I could go to the gym now."If it's good enough for Helen...
11 of 15Vicky Pattison
**How did Vicky Pattison lose weight?**Over the years Vicky Pattison's weight has fluctuated, but she's now settled at a healthy and happy size. Vicky's proven that you can be any size you want if you're willing to put the work in. The former Geordie Shore star lost four stones by cutting out junk food and alcohol from her diet.Want to follow in Vicky's footsteps? Then treat yourself to her fitness DVD Vicky's 7 Day Slim DVD.
12 of 15Lucy Mecklenburgh
**How much does Lucy Mecklenburgh weigh?**Since leaving TOWIE in 2013 Lucy Mecklenburgh has created her own fitness website, and regularly posts photos that make us envious of her body. In the past she explained she works out four to five days a week, and told MailOnline: "I always mix it up otherwise I would be bored. Variety is key to keep motivation."Noted!In the past she revealed she doesn't have any scales: "I don't even know what I weigh at the moment. You can get a bit obsessed and the scales mean nothing," she told Hello! Online.
13 of 15Kelly Brook
**Has Kelly Brook had surgery?**Model and actress Kelly Brook has always had a stunning figure. The 37-year-old - who has her own fashion line for Simply Be - has revealed she mantains a healthy balanced diet and has an active lifestyle. Sounds easy enough, right?On whether Kelly has had surgery or not in the past she told Mail On Sunday's YOU magazine that's she's natural: "I'm careful with the message I give out. I am natural – I don't have hair extensions or anything like that."
14 of 15Charlotte Crosby
**How did Charlotte Crosby lose weight?**Over the years, former Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby has had an incredible body transformation, which she puts down to simply working out and eating well. The 26-year-old reality star has confessed that exercise has helped her body confidence, telling the Daily Star: "Exercise is the key. It makes you feel like you've achieved something and it's so much better than lying about all day."Want to get your abs in tip top condition? Then check out Charlotte's 3 Minute Belly Blitz.
15 of 15Billie Faiers
**Does Billie Fairs work out?**Even though the yummy-mummy Billie Faiers doesn't go to the gym, she has a body that motivates most people to do a workout. The ex-TOWIE star has revealed that her daughter Nelly keeps her active, telling MailOnline: "I'm constantly running about after Nelly so I tend to be active and on my feet all day every day."She added: "I do eat relatively healthily, my diet is quite good but that's not to say I'm strict with myself, I just eat what I want when I fancy it really."
She says, “My libido isn’t what it was, but it’s back. And I’m using the device twice a week for 20 minutes – I’ve had to explain what it is to my husband. But, yes, all good in the bedroom department.”
Having turned 40 in July, Michelle – who’s a keen advocate for health and fitness – looks better than ever at a healthy size 8-10. And despite struggling with her scars, she admits she’s a lot more relaxed about her body and weight than when she was younger.
She says, “I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to work out and look good.
"But I’ve let go of that pressure now – I’m not working out as much as I used to, and I think that’s better for me. I’ve realised that going to the gym isn’t the be-all and end-all. Exercising releases happy endorphins, but working out too much can make you flip the other way.
“There has to be a happy medium – eat well and take regular exercise. I’m in a good place – I’m not my thinnest, but I’ve got balance.”
And the Liberty X singer adds that, given all she’s been through, she now can't comprehend anyone going under the knife for aesthetic reasons, having had so much surgery to save her life and reconstruct her breasts.
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She says, “With everything that happened, I wouldn’t ever have unnecessary surgery again, or go into hospital without having to be there. The idea of going into surgery for cosmetic reasons is just wrong to me, because of what I’ve had to go through for health issues. It doesn’t sit well with me.”
Michelle previously told Closer she was excited about turning 40, saying, “It’s crazy, because I still feel like a teenager. I think age is just a number – bring on my forties!”
But she reveals that the first few months of her forties were plagued with mood swings after she forgot to get a bout of hormone replacement therapy.
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She says, “I was in a darker, sadder place. I was feeling down, I didn’t have enough energy, I was moody and argumentative. Then I realised I hadn’t sorted out my hormone therapy properly. So I addressed that and I instantly felt much better. It just shows how important it is for my body and my mind.”
Michelle is mum to kids Faith, seven, and AJ, five, with Hugh – and while she says that becoming a mum is the “best thing she’s ever done”, she adds that, like most other parents, there are times when motherhood can be challenging.
“I adore my kids – Faith is my best mate and AJ is just adorable. But I do struggle, as every other mum does. Sometimes it’s so hard to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Their recent thing is lying – it’s ‘AJ hit me’ or ‘Faith did such and such’. And constantly running around after them can be so hard.
“But everyone’s the same – all we want is to nurture our children and be there for them, tell them what we can, teach them what to do. As mums, we can only do our best!"