Beauty

Tammin Sursok reveals her “painful” body image past

I know there are many people out there who are struggling, who don't feel like they are enough, who have no hope.

To the outside world, former Home and Away actress Tammin Sursok is the epitome of showbiz glamour; gorgeous, stylish and slim.

But in an honest play, the 33-year-old has taken to Instagram to remind people that while she might have a thriving career and body image now – she didn’t always feel that confident about herself.

The petite Pretty Little Liars star has posted four pictures of her younger self with a moving message about a time when she was a chubby teen almost tipping the scales at 90 kilos.

Tammin said she wanted to reflect on “a place of painful memories” to relate to people who also struggle with weight and self-love – just as she did as an adolescent.

She also wanted to point out the pitfalls of social media and say that what you see online isn’t necessarily the reality.

“We are seeing is everyone’s ‘highlight’ reel, the filters, the perfect families, the perfect bodies – and I know there are many people out there who are struggling, who don’t feel like they are enough, who have no hope,” she said in her post.

With a plump face and unruly curls, Tammin said that her former full-figured self was still deserving of her care and unconditional love.

“I PROMISE you, you can change your life. You can get out of a painful situation,” Tammin wrote.

“It takes one positive step in the right direction. Just one step. This is not about weight, it’s about positive change from whatever negative situation you find yourself in. This is coming from me, this was my story, a little girl close to 200 pounds, who woke up one day and decided enough was enough.”

The actress – who shares her daughter Phoenix with husband Sean McEwen whom she married in 2011 – is making the revelations as part of her #thisisbeautiful campaign, which is all about promoting healthy body image.

Watch Tammin chat about life away from her Australian home!

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