Demi Lovato says she "wasted so many years" being ashamed of her body.
The 22-year-old singer, who sought treatment in rehab for eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and self-harming in 2010, admits she finally feels beautiful after learning to overcome her body image issues.
The 'Really Don't Care' hitmaker posted images to compare her outfits for the MTV Video Music Awards over the past four years on Instagram last night (25.08.14), with the caption: "This picture makes me feel so many mixed emotions. I remember the day I wore the dress in the very first picture. I remember asking for Spanx to flatten my stomach because I [used] to feel so heavy and 'fat.'
"Now looking at this picture, you can clearly see my hip bones. It makes me sad because I wasted so many years ashamed of my body when I could've been living the happy and healthy life I live today."
The brunette beauty, who attended this year's ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (24.08.14) in a daring red Lanvin gown, added: "It TRULY just goes to show you that your perceptions can lie to you. OR they can make you learn to enjoy life. Fortunately looking at the picture of myself in the red dress yesterday, I not only feel so grateful for the love and support I've had from fans, friends and family, but ... I also feel ... beautiful.
"I'm so excited to live my life the way I deserve to, and to the complete fullest."
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