Channique Sterling-Brown, the much-loved TV star who plays Dee Dee Brown on Coronation Street on ITV, has opened up about her heartbreaking weight loss journey over the years and her struggles with mental health as a result.

In a recent Instagram post, 27-year-old Channique proudly displays a golden medal and opens up about the years of dieting she had endured whilst being obsessed with weight loss. She even had to take a break from social media to focus on her mental health because of how she felt about herself and how others made her feel. The TV actress who plays popular Dee Dee Brown on the long-running ITV soap has endured “uncomfortable comments” which she refers to as one of the downsides to her weight loss experience. Whilst trying various shakes and supplements, Sterling-Brown of Manchester, she would describe her self-hatred as she explained “it got really bad, I was losing control. Hating yourself is a shit way to live.” The TV personality went on to unfollow all pages full of “beautiful, unrealistic bodies”, reported the Daily Star.

“Consuming these images daily used to send me spiralling… Instead, I follow women who represent me more, in terms of shape, skills and skin colour”, she added. Channique Sterling-Brown makes more positive choices to follow those who more accurately mirror her and by changing her mindset, she felt that she could start prioritising her health and fitness in a more positive way. The TV star who shot up in popularity after he on-screen performance for the fight for Justice as she secured Roy Cropper’s release from prison for the murder of a young girl which he wasn’t responsible, all the while it was her on-screen partner, Joel, who was responsible! She’s able to use this change in mindset to encourage others who look up to her to follow more positive health and fitness role models. The TV star confessed “I stopped seeing the gym as punishment for being fat” and for the first time ever, Chennique was able to start enjoying working out! She added “My PE teacher would be shook [sic]”.

On discussing her experience with weight loss, the actress who has also appeared on Loose Women and The Big Quiz, explained she didn’t notice she was losing weight until her clothes became loose fitting, “my clothes were a bit big”, she said, “so then there’s this excitement of feeling fitting”. She went on to enthrall about buying a new wardrobe “‘cos a bitch loves to shop!”

She was taken aback by the praise she received about her figure and this “weirdly made [Channique]feel so uncomfortable. Awkwardly smiling when people gushed over [her] being thinner” rather than her academic or professional accomplishments. She talked about her anxiety, wondering “If I put on weight, is everyone gonna notice?” and explained that it felt like confirmation that all of the star’s toxic thoughts had been at the back of everyone’s head this whole time.

She added, “When people compliment weight loss I know they mean no harm, but when it becomes the main focus of your achievements, it’s disheartening. Now I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud of myself, but that’s linked to being two years veggie, being healthier and my head being a happier place to be.”

She explained that it isn’t always easy, “I still have my moments, things I’d change. But I’ve learnt to keep it moving, don’t let those negative thoughts fester or they will take control.”

The actress shared her belief about modern beauty standards and talked about her personal growth. Channique explained that changing how she sees herself and  “Unlearning the toxic beauty standards society feeds us” is the real boost.

Referring to the weight loss comparison she shared on her Instagram, Channique goes on to say “I now realise the girl on the left is just as much of a bad bitch as the gal on the right.” She wants to build others up for more than just their dress size. She wants to be known for her lough, laughter and loudness and not the body she lives in.

Channique Sterling-Brown shared the weight loss transformation post for Mental Health Awareness week and poignantly added “Gentle reminder these feelings are still valid, especially if your weight has fluctuated in the crazy times we have lived through this last 18 months. You are valued, you are worthy, you are beautiful, exactly as you were created. Be kind to yourself, your dress size, does not define you”