The EastEnders icon gained acclaim back in 2005 with her successful fitness DVD, titled Before and After. However, the actress says that she only now feels confident in her own skin.
Charlie Brooks says losing two stone over several months for her successful Mid-Knotty fitness DVD took a huge toll on her confidence.
The 41-year-old mum of one is best known for starring as devious soap villain Janine Butcher on the iconic BBC show EastEnders – a role she played from 1999 until 2022.
However, many will also remember that she lost an astonishing two stone in space two months earlier in 2005 and shares her weight loss success secrets through her top selling fitness DVD, Before and After.
But in a candid new interview about confidence, Charlie says she struggled with her self-esteem and body image in her formative years – only really feeling confident after entering her 40s. Was staying
Opening up to Fabulous magazine, Charlie explained that a number of factors contributed to her feelings of low self-worth – including a sense of an ‘impostor syndrome’ caused by the fact that she dated Janine as a teenager. Played his part as Roop and never acted again. School.
The star says it often makes her feel like she ‘doesn’t belong’ when it comes to working in the acting profession.
She also said that being a parent to a teenager shook her confidence as she struggled to understand her daughter’s typical teen-style emotional outbursts.
Charlie further added that after shedding the pounds thanks to the fitness DVD her body confidence was affected ‘in the long run’.
She explained that she had “a difficult relationship with my body, to the point where I couldn’t walk in front of a mirror without mentally beating myself up” – adding that she felt “disgusted” when she looked at her reflection. I don’t feel anything except that”.
She further revealed that working on her ‘Before and After’ fitness DVD had a negative effect on her body confidence.
Charlie explained: “Years ago, I released a get-fit video and got really short – which had a long-term negative effect on my body image.”
She says giving up alcohol and starting a business — her iMpro online mentoring and adult acting school — has turned her state of mind a complete 180 and she now feels focused and confident.
She said: “I’ve never run a business before, but the more I show up, the more confidence I’ve gained.
“I’ve also learned to be kind to myself. My body isn’t perfect, but it has carried a baby and that’s a beautiful thing.”
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