05 February 2024 , 08:13
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Stacey Solomon has started her 2024 with a bang and a promise to have a "f**k-it year".
The Loose Women star, 34, is not usually one for swearing, but it seems we're seeing the emergence of a new Stacey. Reflecting on recent years, the X Factor finalist, who is married to TV star Joe Swash, confessed she had "been a bit of a mug".
The mum-of-five expressed her desire to pursue dreams and ideas she hadn't previously had the courage to chase. But first, she said, she was going to "just do s**t".
"I'm also not going to make myself small and dull my light to make other people feel better," she declared, just a few weeks into the New Year. "I'd say over the last few years I've been a bit of a mug in some ways.
Stacey has been through a six-month transformation (Instagram)"I've turned down opportunities or taken certain paths because people who I thought mattered have wanted it. And it made them happy," she told OK! Magazine. "But I've realised the only people who matter are the ones who want to lift you up, support every crazy idea you have, and fill you with confidence and love. Those are the people to keep close. Let the rest go," she added.
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A few days after her honest confession, she revealed she was set to film another series of her hit BBC One show, Sort Your Life Out. Heading into her fourth season as a presenter, Stacey Solomon has previously confessed to experiencing "imposter syndrome". However, the signing of her new contract could help mark off another item on her "f**k-it year" checklist.
Stacey, who is a proud mother of five children - Rex, 4, Rose, 2, Belle, 1, and Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11 from previous relationships. Stacey has been focusing on her health and fitness, doing regular workouts, runs and gym sessions, thanks in part to the support of her sister over the last six months.
Even though she's had a deep love for sports, particularly competitive ones, Stacey had to put this passion aside due to managing "three children in four years". After making the decision not to have any more kids (which upset many of her fans), Stacey now has more time to focus on herself.
"I want to feel athletic again, because I did feel really unhealthy," Stacey admitted during the Energy Equation podcast with physiologist and lifestyle expert Oliver Patrick.
Stacey has been busy working out (Instagram)
Stacey and Joe share three kids together (staceysolomon / Instagram)Although she wasn't damaging her body directly Stacey acknowledged that her energy levels had slumped and were not where they should be with three young children to look after at the time. She also expressed the desire to avoid mobility issues like what her mum Fiona is dealing with, and hopes to "protect" herself as she grows older.
Stacey's personal trainer sister, Samantha Stone, promised her she would "fall back in love" with exercise. Now six months into her fitness journey, Stacey admits on a podcast: "I'm about six months in and I feel horrible if I miss a workout or if I don't go for a walk or a run or something. I hated running, but now I love it."
She still finds exercise tough, saying: "I'd say the feeling during exercise is 'I'm going to die' still, but it's the feeling afterwards I just feel stronger, for one." Stacey now regularly attends Barry's Bootcamp gym, where her sister works, and also does workouts at home.
When it comes to food, Stacey, who loves her grub, doesn't restrict herself but tries to cook everything from scratch instead of eating processed foods. She acknowledges that juggling kids, managing their home known as Pickle Cottage, and work commitments can be tough.
"This is the time of life where you power through every single second of each waking day if you want to make the most of it and you want to get everything you can out of it," she said. "You've just got to suck it up. It's going to be hard and you're going to be very tired." We are working as hard as we can to try and make sure we fulfil our goals for our children's futures. It's that point in life where you just have to go, go, go."
Stacey and Joe's busy lives are made a bit easier thanks to their supportive family, which Stacey calls her "village". In 2021, she and Joe bought their dream home, Pickle Cottage in Essex, for £1.2 million.
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