TOWIE's Danielle Armstrong shows off 3.5 stone weight loss and shares the easy way she did it
Danielle Armstrong is on a mission this year - to help other women feel good about their bodies and to spread lots of positivity, confidence and the importance of having a healthy body and mind. And after spending the last 18 months being kind to herself - but also trying to lose the weight she gained after the births of Una, born in July 2023, and Orla, now four.
The former TOWIE star admits, who married childhood sweetheart Tom Edney two years ago, that her time as a reality star did push into some rather fad diets, but over the last seven to eight years she's totally overhauled her routines - and the results are amazing. In this exclusive chat with OK!, the 36 year old mum of two shares how she shed three-and-a-half stone, and explains why she’s so passionate about helping other women become the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves.
Danielle, you look amazing! How are you feeling?
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Really good! When I had Orla I went from a size 8 to 10, then up to a size 16, and being naturally quite petite, that was quite a shock for me. So then there was a big rush to try and get my body back – I put a lot of pressure on myself and compared myself to others. So, second time around, I wanted to be kinder to myself, and not on Instagram looking at other new mums. It’s been a nice journey this time. As soon as I stopped having expectations, I could just enjoy the process and life as a mum of two.
Social media can be a hard place when it comes to body confidence, can’t it?
Yes, and at that time a few of my friends in the industry had babies around the same time, like Ferne [McCann] and Kate Ferdinand – and sometimes you compare. They’re all beautiful girls and everyone’s different, so this time I didn’t do the comparison thing, and it was a lot easier.
Did you do anything differently during your second pregnancy?
I was pregnant and had Orla in lockdown. I was eating a lot more and always hungry – I’d ring Tom and ask him to bring me Krispy Kreme donuts! I didn’t eat for two, I ate for three and I was convinced I was having twins! With Una, I didn’t eat as much or crave as many sugary foods because I wasn’t as sick. I still put three-and-a-half stone on, but not as much as the first time.
You’ve shared some honest photos of your body after Una...
I wasn’t thinking, “Oh I look amazing”, but I was excited as I had a plan. I was also proud of what my body had achieved – birthing two beautiful, healthy babies. And because I’d done it before, lost the extra weight, I hoped I could do it again.
Have you ever hated your body?
No, I believe in a “this is just for now” attitude. Everyone gets back into shape differently. Ferne looked amazing after three months, but for me I just had to understand that my body takes longer. I do believe you should document everything, if you don’t take pictures you won’t get an accurate reflection of how you look. The scales don’t take into account body composition, body fat dropping, gaining muscle...
You work with other women on their own fitness journeys. What’s your advice to them?
Don’t be too harsh on yourself, and trust the process. Not knowing what to do initially is the hardest thing. I understand why some women feel daunted. And we live in a world where people want a quick solution. But diets don’t work, they give you a quick fix but it’s long-term habits that make a difference.
Have you ever tried some of the diet crazes?
Yes! When I was on TOWIE I used to do the maddest diets. I remember doing the Special K diet for 10 days. I probably did lose a bit of weight but as soon as I ate anything else, I put it back on. I once tried cutting out all sugar and carbs. Yes, I was losing weight but I was miserable because I was thinking about food all the time. I’ve done the meal prepping plans too, but who’s got time to make poached eggs, avocado and salmon in the morning? I’d see influencers doing it, then realised that’s their job – people in the real world don’t have time to live like that.
What did you find actually worked for you?
My mum always said, “Eat little and often, and in moderation”. It was about understanding I could have carbs, sugar and everything else, in moderation. I always used to skip breakfast but then I’d pick at things. It was about changing my mindset and habits.
What would you eat on an average day?
Well, I’ll have a herbal tea first thing, instead of a coffee with six sugars! I’ll have a smoothie with 26g of protein, which I didn’t even realise was important – then eat every couple of hours. Maybe some rice cakes with cottage cheese, or a protein bagel with peanut butter. For lunch I’ll have a chicken salad or wrap, or some granola and yoghurt. I have dinner now at 5pm with the girls. I used to eat after I’d put them to bed – so sometimes really late. I always drink three litres of water a day, that’s a non-negotiable now.
You’ve stepped back from the limelight in recent years, are you happy you did?
Yes, I’ve gone from everyone knowing about my life to being a bit more private and just enjoying my family. But the biggest thing I’ve been doing is building my online health and fitness platform. It’s not about having a quick DVD (although no one has DVDs anymore, so an app!) – but helping people long-term, that’s what I’m passionate about.
What about exercise – and how do you find the time?
I work out three days a week, with some incline walking on the treadmill, light weights – which is important as we get older – and some light squats. I don’t like the gym and I’m not doing loads of HIIT or cardio classes, but I go because of my age, and as it’s good for my mindset. I go in the morning, after nursery drop-off. Una goes to nursery on Mondays and Fridays so I train in that time, and mum looks after her on a Wednesday. As women, we need to prioritise ourselves. We’re spinning all these plates but you have to be selfish, a good selfish.
What’s your advice to anyone considering a quick fix?
Look, I’d never judge anyone. If I didn’t have my plan, I might have considered a quick fix, like the skinny jab, but that’s definitely not for me. I’m seeing it everywhere. If it’s prescribed by a GP, that’s different. But in my opinion, it ages people. When you starve yourself, you’re depriving your body of fuel. It’s like trying to get a car to drive without petrol.
Do you still allow yourself the odd treat?
Oh, of course, I’ll still enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and a takeaway if I fancy it. I just do it maybe twice a month instead of three or four times.
What’s next for you and your fitness journey in 2025?
I’d love to keep growing it, maybe hold some big events where people can hear me talk and maybe start a podcast. I just want to help women feel confident and happy in their bodies. And if they want to lose weight, help them do it healthily.
