Ilona Maher feels "ashamed" about social media influencing how she views her body

In a candid video posted to TikTok on January 24, Ilona said: "Some post-gym thoughts for y'all.

"Now that skinny is everywhere and thin is in and weight-loss drugs are being marketed to us nonstop, I don't want you guys to be ashamed or feel that you are weak-minded for getting slightly influenced by all this rhetoric.

"I don't want you guys to be like, 'Well, I love myself, why am I thinking this way? I don't know if I want to lose weight, but this athlete who I used to look up to, is telling me to buy their weight-loss drug.'

"I don't want you to feel bad about yourself."

Ilona admitted she is guilty of it.

The athlete continued: "I know that it affects me, and I love my body. My body is amazing, but even I get these feelings of 'Oh, maybe I should lose a few pounds.'

"And I do feel ashamed. I feel ashamed of myself for feeling it. But I think we also have to remember how powerful society is and how powerful the influence of social media can be."

However, Ilona stressed that it is "completely normal" for people to have those thoughts.

And the Paris 2024 Olympic Games rugby sevens bronze medallist wants to drum it into people that being "as thin as possible" is not the way to go.

Ilona said: "Can we change it to be, I wanna feel as best as I can in my body. I wanna be as strong as I possibly can. I think we just have to change the dialogue. Be kind to yourself."

The star ended her candid video with: "It is hard to see all of that information floating through your brain, saying this is the right way to look. I'm with you on it.

"For me, I'm doing what's best to feel the best in myself, and that is to eat right and to lift weights and be strong. Let's all strive for that. I love you. Keep fighting the good fight out there, and I will too."