Roxy Jacenko has spoken out about her drastic weight loss and problematic relationship with food in what she describes as a dark period of her life.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, the PR mogul recounted how she lost 12 kilograms in 12 months—and dropped to 49kg at one point in 2016 -2017—after battling breast cancer and coping with her husband’s insider trading prison term.
“I was having personal issues, had been diagnosed with cancer, managing my businesses (Ministry of Talent, Sweaty Betty PR and Pixies Bows), had the two kids and a husband that was in jail,” she recounted.
“I recall going to mum’s place on a Tuesday for family dinner and her forcing food on me – there is no doubt I had a problem.”
Jacenko explained that her diet mainly consisted mostly of sashimi sushi and green juices at the time.
“If I was hungry, I would go to bed if I was at home to stop myself going to the fridge. I was obsessed, unhealthily obsessed,” she recalled.
But while Jacenko was in a “really bad place”, she says she received positive reinforcement from fans after posting post-workout selfies on Instagram.
“It’s funny how when people say you are looking “great” even though you are well on your way to being skin and bone that you buy into it and keep trying to get slimmer!” she told The Daily Mail.
“I was in a really bad place and while I had a four-pack which, I thought, was fantastic, realistically I was starving myself.”
But now, Jacenko says she has now reevaluated her lifestyle choices and is at a “much healthier weight” and keeping a “balanced gym and eating regime”.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Butterfly Foundation‘s National Support line and online service on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673).