Lexi Thompson Admirably Shares Personal Struggles on Social Media

IF EVER any of us needed proof that money and success does not guarantee happiness it came in the shape of a distressing statement issued by Lexi Thompson, one of the best female golfers in the world.

The American would appear on the surface to have everything she could possibly want. But there have been several signs recently that all is not well in her world. Earlier this year she announced that she was taking take away from the game to "recharge her batteries". It later emerged that she was still struggling to cope with the fallout from last year's ANA International, when she was penalised for replacing her ball incorrectly on a green during the third round.

She was informed of the penalty while playing the final round and it affected her deeply. Unsurprisingly, she lost that tournament, and struggled for much of last year and this. Thompson was also involved in rules fracas at the Honda this year. It is hardly surprising she feels that the world might be conspiring against her.

Not long after she said that she was taking a break from the game it emerged that she was battling with depression. Now she has revealed that she has serious body image issues. This will come as a huge surprise to those who have seen the results of the many photo shoots in which she has taken part.

In an Instagram post, Thompson admitted it might sound "crazy" that she would struggle with body image, but says that she has been dealing with this for a long time.

Her statement read as follows:

"So this is a pretty personal post and some people might think it’s stupid or that I’m crazy but I’m going to share it anyway.... one of the biggest issues I’ve gone through is my self image/ body confidence. When I was really young, I just ate what I wanted to, didn’t care about fitness at all or what I weighed. Then as I slowly got into fitness seeing the results, I started getting crazy about it, seeing the attention I was getting, doing certain photo shoots I never thought I would.

"I was putting my body through brutal workouts twice a day not really eating because I thought that’s the way I would lose weight and weighing myself constantly. I would compare my self to these stick thin or fitness models on Instagram, tearing myself down because I didn’t have the toned stomach or the big butt.

"As a girl I know body confidence is a huge part of life and what we all go through. You think you’ll be happy once you get this certain body? But will you really be? Maybe more confident and by doing it the right way is how u [sic] need to go about it. The only way you’ll ever be truly happy though is if you love yourself first. But what I want to share is that your not alone in any of your struggles. And what I’ve learned is that I’m not going to deprive myself in the one life I get to live, I’m going to enjoy life and my food. You should never compare your body to others it’s a never ending battle of being miserable trust me. Your body is your body, it is beautiful so embrace it."

She is to be admired for having the courage to admit her issues, and the world of golf will surely want to wish her well and see her return to the game with physical and mental health restored.