Gemma Collins has announced she’s finally happy with her body after years of yo-yo dieting and says 'I’m not going to waste my life trying to be skinny’

Gemma Collins has revealed how she doesn’t want to waste her life 'struggling to be skinny’ and is happy with her body and the way she looks.

The former TOWIE star, 42, is often open about her weight and has now opened up about how she’s come to terms with her appearance and doesn’t say she 'needs to be too skinny’.

In body-positive news, Gemma shared how she is happy with her body and how she focuses on exercising daily and eating straight from her garden.

Speaking to MailOnline, Gemma admitted she didn’t want to waste her life trying to change herself, and said she wanted others to accept that 'people have big bodies’.

„I eat from my garden, no pesticides, I eat very healthy, but sometimes that’s how we are,” she said.

’My body is the way it is, I’m not going to be super skinny, I’m not going to be super slim, I’m not going to spend the rest of my life trying to be something I’m not.

’This is me, this is me, this is my body shape, this is my body type – sometimes people have to accept, people have big bodies and people are big.’

Promoting her new agony aunt campaign called Gemma’s Dilemmas via Plusnet, Gemma said: 'I’m not going to waste my life constantly trying to be skinny.

In the past, Gemma has Describing her battle with polycystic ovary syndrome, she told how Managing her weight has been a 'struggle’ since she was diagnosed.

Now, Gemma has spoken out about how she exercises every morning and eats healthy, saying she tries to eat as much fresh food from her garden as possible.

He added: „I exercise every morning anyway […] Until I do that, that’s it. I don’t live my life to suit or please others, I please myself.

Keen to be eco-friendly, Gemma is currently busy planting her winter vegetables with her garden fully vegetated.

She told me how she spent most of the summer in her vegetable patch, able to eat wholesome food grown straight from her garden.

She said: 'I’ve planted all my vegetables and today we’re preparing our land for winter vegetables, that’s what I’ve been doing today.

’Hopefully we’ll have a holiday in two weeks, but for now I’m having a lovely summer in the garden, experimenting with vegetables and getting a fully functioning garden where I can eat from my garden.’

She often shares photos of her sprawling garden on her Instagram page, showing off her thriving vegetable patches and the delicious and fresh food she can make.

The star is currently launching a campaign as an anguished aunt for Plusnet, answering people’s modern-day dilemmas and giving them straightforward advice.

Speaking about Gemma’s Dilemmas, she said: 'From tech mishaps to fashion disasters, I know how to deal with everyday frustrations, which is why I’m launching my new campaign, Gemma’s Dilemmas, to give the nation my advice and solve their problems – one at a time.

’Kids, keeping things simple is the key to a happy life, so let’s hope the nation takes a leaf out of my book.’

Earlier this week, Gemma also opened up about it Suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS] and an underactive thyroid.

Showing off her curves in a leopard print bikini, she wrote on Instagram: 'Carbohydrated Barbie for life ✌’.

Raising awareness of her current health, she added: 'It’s a constant struggle everyday with an underactive thyroid and pcos, but do you know what FIT is?’

Gemma has previously spoken about her battle with PCOS and said it has been a 'struggle’ to manage her weight since she was diagnosed.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to become enlarged with small cysts on the outer edges. Symptoms include menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, acne and obesity.

It comes after Gemma shared a video of a recent exercise session with her personal trainer last month, giving a pep talk as she worked up a sweat.

She told her 2.2 million followers: 'That’s my workout! If someone is struggling today, wake up.

’I’m moving and feeling amazing. I feel excited and ready for my weekend. Yes, I’m sweaty, and yes, I’m in terrible pain this week, but no pain.

Gemma continued: 'A lot of people say to me, „Gemma you’ve struggled with your weight for so long, go and have an operation”, but that part is still wanting to do it naturally and not wanting to give up.

’I’m not knocking anyone who’s accepted because everyone’s story is different, but for me I’m a bit scared of operations.

’So it’s going to take me a while, but I’m feeling positive at the moment. Health is wealth.

’You can have all the money in the world but if you don’t feel the healthy honeys, you have nothing.

’So if you’re feeling down today, get up, move, feel yourself, breathe, move and you’ll be fine!’

Last year, Gemma shed 3.5 stone and revealed she was 'keeping up with the Kardashians’ when eating her salad.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, she Said: 'I think being happy means now I manage my day and make sure I eat my breakfast in the morning.

’I’m getting a Kardashian while I’m eating too many Caesar salads’.

Asked if she would ever consider having weight-loss surgery like her ex-boyfriend James Argent, Gemma gushed: 'No! Never’.

James, who dated Gemma from 2011 to 2013, recently lost an incredible 14 stone after gastric sleeve surgery.

Gemma continued: 'Some people need it [surgery] I get it, they have to choose for themselves, but I don’t need it. I’m beautiful, I’m big, I’m successful, what more do I want in life?’

To see Gemma Collins in Gemma’s Dilemmas, visit Plusnet’s Instagram.