Denise Welch wowed her Instagram followers this week when she shared a swimsuit snapshot to show off the results of her two-stone weight loss. The Loose Women star, 61, posed in her costume while enjoying a winter break in Barbados with husband Lincoln Townley. In her caption, Denise spoke candidly about her relationship with food and her battle with depression, writing: "Beach reach ready in Barbados! Still maintaining my 2st weight loss thanks to flexifasting with @lighterlife.It allows me to enjoy the food on holiday and means I won't pile the pounds on over Christmas. It's all about a more healthy relationship with food as dealing with depression, I need to look after myself in my well periods. Quite a serious post so normal service will be resumed tmrw!!!"
Denise Welch has shared a swimsuit snapshot on Instagram
The mother-of-two was quickly inundated with messages of support from her followers, including her Loose Women co-stars. Nadia Sawalha was among those commenting on the post, telling her friend: "Looking mighty fine!!!" Saira Khan, meanwhile, added: "Sexy mama."
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Denise has made no secret of her battle with mental health, and has spoken in the past about her struggles with overeating and drinking too much. She recently shared a video on Instagram in which she appeared makeup-free and with a towel on her head, saying: "Depression depresses every single emotion that you have so that there is a flatness and a void there… The way I describe it is that the colour goes out of my life. People that I'm around that I love being with, I don't want to be around. Things that I'm looking forward to, I don't want to be part of."
Denise Welch and Lincoln Townley's fairytale wedding
Her followers wished her well and applauded her honesty, with one commenting: "I admire your honesty and bravery so much. I hope you realise how much sharing videos like this helps so many by reminding them they are not alone with their struggles." Another wrote: "Well done Denise, must have been the last thing you felt like doing but I bet you have helped a lot of people with this video."