Natalie Cassidy Reveals How a £100k Deal for ‘Scary’ 4st Weight Loss DVD Impacted Her and Why She Rejects Fat Jabs
Natalie Cassidy, best known for her role in EastEnders, has opened up about the mental and emotional toll of her past weight loss journey. Reflecting on her experience with a lucrative £100,000 deal for a fitness DVD, she revealed that shedding four stone left her feeling “damaged.” Cassidy, now 40, shared her insights during an appearance on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, Happy Mum Happy Baby.
The Impact of a Weight Loss Deal
In 2007, Cassidy was offered a considerable payment to produce two weight loss DVDs, a decision she regrets. During the podcast, she expressed her vulnerability at the time, mentioning that the offer came after the loss of her mother when she was 19.
- Financial incentive: £100,000 for weight loss DVDs
- Weight loss: Shed four stone
- Consequences: Developed unhealthy habits, including laxative use
Struggles with Body Image
The actress admitted that her self-image suffered significantly. “I still would look in the mirror and go, ‘oh I could be this, could be that,’” she recounted. Cassidy believes that societal pressures contribute to this negative self-perception, particularly among women.
She emphasized the importance of focusing on her daughters, Eliza and Joanie, as a way to shift her priorities away from her own body image concerns.
Denial of Weight Loss Jabs and Diet Pills
As she navigated her weight loss journey, Cassidy faced rumors regarding diet pills and injectable weight loss methods. Last year, she rebuffed claims that she used diet pills to achieve her weight loss, clarifying that she simply cut out unhealthy foods and reduced alcohol intake.
- Rumors: Denied usage of diet pills
- Weight loss strategy: Cut out treats and reduce alcohol
Fear of Injectable Solutions
On the podcast, Cassidy also addressed the topic of weight loss injections, asserting, “I’ve never gone through any injectable route.” She expressed her discomfort with the idea, stating, “I just haven’t. So to inject something, I’m just scared of it.”
Fletcher shared her own mixed feelings about weight loss jabs, noting the societal pressure to change one’s appearance. Both women concluded that true self-worth should not be tied to body size.
Conclusion
Natalie Cassidy’s journey highlights the complexities of body image and the pressures of the entertainment industry. While a weight loss contract may have brought financial reward, it led to unforeseen emotional struggles for the actress. Today, her focus is on motherhood and self-acceptance, distancing herself from unhealthy weight loss practices.
