Love Island’s Alexandra Cane ‘doesn’t recognise herself’ after two-stone weight loss
SHE was described as Love Island's "curvy" contestant - but after using exercise to combat anxiety, Alexandra Cane dramatically transformed her body.
The 28-year-old lost an impressive two stone and now admits: "I don't recognise myself."
But her weight loss hasn't come without its challenges. She was forced to deny having secret liposuction surgery after cruel trolls accused her of faking her weight loss.
Others judged her for changing her image to look like her "skinny" co-stars from the 2018 ITV2 series.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun Online, Alexandra has hit back at criticism and says she feels "proud" of herself every day for turning her life around.
"I can understand why people thought that about my transformation, but now I feel as fit as a fiddle," said Alexandra.
“I never did this to lose weight or look a certain way. I’ve always believed that you should strive for self-acceptance, whatever weight you are.
"In Love Island I thought I was healthy, but I look back now and think I couldn't even walk up a hill without getting out of breath.
"Now I'm so full of energy and I don't have brain fog. I'm hydrated and full of life.
"When I compare myself from then and now, the way I feel inside is like a whole new woman.
"Whatever anyone wants to say about that, that's your opinion and perspective of me. I know how I feel and no one can ever take that away from me. I will continue to do what makes me feel good."
Alexandra - who dated Love Island's Dr Alex George - says she piled on weight after "losing herself" following her reality TV stint.
She dropped from 11 stone to nine in just three months - and is now determined to help others in her situation.
Alexandra has launched a six-week Summer Shred workout to help others in isolation following the success of her fitness and well-being app – Alex’s Happy Body.
"I don't recognise myself," she said.
"I look in the mirror and ask 'who is that girl'. But I'm proud of myself and I thank myself every single day because it's not easy to break away from habits, it' really tough.
"The way exercise makes you feel is infectious. It makes you feel like you are superwoman. It really changes you for the better. Now I want to be able to help other people."
Alexandra is currently in isolation alone after moving out a few weeks before lockdown.
She says a solo travel trip helped her prepare for time on her own, but daily workouts with fans are keeping her "sane".
Thousands of people have been joining her in free ten-minute live workouts and signing up to her six-week slim-down for the summer programme.
She said: "Being on your own can be really uncomfortable at times. You have to learn things about yourself that you might be disguising in social situations and to face your realities and fears.
"It's not just physical, it's about the mental side more than ever. In this lockdown you miss human contact and human conversation.
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"You are going to be battling with your thoughts every single day but it's what you choose to do with those thoughts.
"With these workouts we're keeping each other motivated. It makes me emotional thinking about it.
"It's really beautiful and is the only thing that's going to keep me sane because we don't know how long this is going to go on for.
"My workouts are short sharp bursts of energy and you feel like you've really accomplished something.
"When you've kick-started that energy you feel so motivated to keep that up. It almost becomes addictive and that's your regular craving.
"I've had thousands of people joining in which warms my heart. You can fit 10 mins into your day and you don't need equipment. There's no excuses."
- Alexandra’s Summer Shred is available at for £29.