Natalie Cassidy credits her “simple” diet regime for helping her slim down to a size ten.
The 37-year-old actress – who famously plays Sonia Fowler in the long-running BBC One soap – has seen her weight fluctuate from a size 16 to a size eight since she made her debut on EastEnders in 1993.
However, Natalie’s has revealed that by sticking to a "boring" routine of "eating well, exercise and water consumption", she has lost 42 pounds and is “confident” being a size ten.
She said: "I feel very at ease with myself now, as I’ve got older. Throughout the years I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs.
“Now, I just know the simple things that work – eat well, exercise, drink lots of water. All the boring things but I feel like my body is the size it should be now.
“I’m 37 in May. I’ve been through a lot in my life and I feel more confident about who I am and what I look like, 100 percent.”
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Natalie started her weight loss journey when she took on the London Marathon last year for the charity Dementia Revolution in honour of her former co-star Dame Barbara Windsor, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
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But she admits she developed a “thick skin” after being tormented by body-shaming trolls after appearing onscreen as her Walford alter-ego, Sonia.
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Speaking to the Daily Express Saturday magazine, she continued: “Growing up in the spotlight is all I know. I was called a ‘beached whale’ when I was 12. It was awful.
“I understand now why my mum was so angry and protective of me, I would be exactly the same if it was one of my daughters. But you do develop a thick skin, you have to really.”
Last year Natalie ran the London Marathon and fell in love with running which has helped her lose weight.
She has also “sworn off take outs”, as well as "cheese, crisps and dips", which she previously said were her "downfall".
The star also admitted she cut down on alcohol as much as possible to keep the weight off.