Tom Burgess' fiancée Tahlia Giumelli shares details of her 'desperate' eating disorder past and the horrors of the modelling industry - before imploring people to 'be kind' to their bodies
Tahlia Giumelli revealed her past battles with an eating disorder in an emotionally raw post on Wednesday evening.
The 29-year-old model and fiancée of rugby league footballer Tom Burgess shared a lengthy essay to her Instagram, detailing her modelling career abroad where she was weighed and measured constantly, and her unhealthy relationship with exercise which began at a young age.
Alongside her moving words, Tahlia shared a gallery of images from her past that showcased her body at different sizes.
Confession: Tom Burgess' fiancée Tahlia Giumelli shared details of her eating disorder past and the horrors of the modelling industry on Wednesday evening - before imploring people to 'be kind' to their bodies
'I was looking for an old photo recently when I came across photos from my younger years and my years modelling overseas,' she began in a lengthy post.
'I was hit with the huge reality that I had significant issues with my body and how I dealt with food and exercise.'
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She added: 'I feel like since having kids it's kind of something I had blocked from my memory.'
Tahlia said her issues with food and body image started when she was just a teenager.
'When I was in my teen years at school, I would limit the amount of food I would eat and would make sure I did so many sit ups and squats a day. I was 15,' she continued.
Heartbreaking reality: Alongside her moving words, Tahlia shared a gallery of images from her past that showcased her body at different sizes
Candid: The 29-year-old model and fiancée of rugby league footballer Tom Burgess shared a lengthy essay to her Instagram, detailing her modelling career abroad where she was weighed and measured constantly, and her unhealthy relationship with exercise which began at a young age
She then told fans that at age 19, she felt trapped in a vicious cycle as she would train twice a day, take before and after photos, weigh her food and 'skip meals'.
'When I was 22, I was so desperate to lose weight overseas, I did a tea detox, only to end up months later with a diagnoses [sic] of Crohn's disease because it had set off a flare up (I had the gene but I had set it off by upsetting my insides),' she added.
'I constantly stood on scales and pulled out tape measures. I was once pulled off a job late one night by a client (a pretty big name client) because a friend of theirs had seen me on a previous shoot and said it looked like I had put on weight and my face was chubby. I felt gutted and ashamed. There was no one to blame for this.'
Tough times: 'I was once pulled off a job late one night by a client (a pretty big name client) because a friend of theirs had seen me on a previous shoot and said it looked like I had put on weight and my face was chubby. I felt gutted and ashamed...' she said
Tahlia went on to thank her agency for the support they showed her.
'My agency has been my biggest support since I was 18, the first thing Chic did was sit us down and explain how to eat well and eat healthy, to care for our bodies, if only I had listened,' she added.
Tahlia added that the industry abroad only contributed to her negative body image.
Powerful: 'I eat because I want to nourish my body and give it the strength and energy it needs to care for two children. We should have so much respect for our bodies. They are powerful. Be kind to them,' she added
'In London I was pulled in regularly measured with a tape measure, in LA I was made to stand on scales and constantly reminded to stay thin. The industry has changed for the better over the years. It's not something I've voiced before,' she said.
Tahlia went on to tell fans that after giving birth to two children, she has a better relationship with her body and urged others to try to do the same.
'I eat because I want to nourish my body and give it the strength and energy it needs to care for two children. We should have so much respect for our bodies. They are powerful. Be kind to them,' she added.
Grateful: Tahlia went on to tell fans that after birthing two children, she has a better relationship with her body and urged others to try to do the same
Tahlia and Tom announced their engagement on New Year's Eve in 2019, after three years of dating.
The couple have been forced to reschedule their wedding date due to COVID 19.
The share daughter Sophie, two, and Elodie Rose, almost one.
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact: Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23. For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
Family: The couple have since gone on to welcome daughter Sophie, two, and Elodie Rose, almost one. All pictured
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