Roz Purcell reveals she 'felt stuck' with eating disorder and 'feels sorry' for her younger self

The former Miss Universe Ireland took to Instagram to speak about her journey to wellness to mark eating disorder awareness week and to encourage people to seek help if they are suffering.

Taking to the social media platform, the wellness expert shared a list of lessons she had learned after going through recovery.

Wearing a purple jumper and sitting cross legged in a chair, the former model can be seen holding a piece of paper which reads:

“I had an eating disorder. I felt stuck with it. I didn’t think help would work for me. But it did.”

The influencer then revealed a list which detailed the things she lost and gained during recovery.

"What I lost in recovery:

“Food guilt, my internalised fatphobia, my weighing scales, the idea the smallest version of me was the better one, the idea I needed to punish my body with exercise so I could eat.

"What I gained in recovery:

"My love of food, respect for my body and a great relationship because I was actually really happy.”

The Tipperary native also revealed that she feels sorry for her younger self because of the limitations her eating disorder placed on her life.

“This week comes with a lot of side by side pictures showcasing the physical changes from eating disorder to recovery.

"But I really wanted to try show what changed in my head. I feel like if my younger self saw this list I may not have resisted recovery so much.

"When I talk about my eating disorder I still get really emotional and it’s not because I’m not recovered but I feel really upset for my younger self (my whole life was about being smaller and I missed out on so many great times, friends and opportunities because of it) and I also realise how much has changed that I’ve taken for granted.”

Roz has been open about her struggle with her body image during her modelling days.

The 30-year-old body positivity advocate now uses her social media platform to highlight many body issues that people may struggle with.

And she hopes opening up about her struggles in the past will help someone else.

Urging people that there is a path to recovery, she added:

“I can’t recommend seeking expert help enough it was literally life changing. I also want to remind people -eating disorders come in all sizes & some are invisible, all should be given equal support and not dismissed . If you’re a friend or family member of someone suffering don’t under estimate what your words and actions can do. #eatingdisorderawareness

“FOR SUPPORT @bodywhys are fantastic to offer advice on how to get help or how to support someone going through an ED.

Fans and friends flocked to the author's page to praise her for her honesty:

One wrote: “Thank you so much for being outspoken on this topic. I don't remember having any nice role models like this when I was a teenager and needed them most.

While another said: "Thank you. Such a tough topic for men (me included) but doing the work is so important and the only way to beat it."