Ferne McCann weighs in on Lucy Mecklenburgh and Danielle Armstrong weight loss product rant

Ferne McCann has called out Lucy Mecklenburgh after she criticised Danielle Armstrong’s weight loss products on social media on Wednesday.

The former TOWIE star, 29, had earlier slammed influencers for promoting ‘restrictive diets’ to new mums and shared fans’ negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition – a brand which both Ferne and Danielle endorse.

Taking to her special Fern Nutrition Instagram page, Ferne weighed in on the debate saying she can understand why people feel the need to ‘damn others’ and insisted she has never been on an ‘extreme restricted diet’. 

Weighing in: Ferne McCann has called out Lucy Mecklenburgh after she criticised Danielle Armstrong’s weight loss products on social media on Wednesday

Starting her post on her Instagram Story, Ferne shared Danielle’s video rant, where she hit back at Lucy, and penned a message to any of her ‘unnerved’ followers.

She said: ‘To all of my lovely customers and followers if you are feeling unnerved after watching Lucy Meck’s stories today then please watch @daniellearmstrong88 story. You will find some reassurance.’

Ferne went on to admit that she used to be a ‘sceptical’ over Herbalife Nutrition but that she has ‘never felt better’ after it helped her to lose her baby weight after welcoming daughter Sunday, three, in 2017. 

The reality star said ‘it’s cool’ if Lucy felt she had to ‘blast’ Herbalife Nutrition, but that she will never understand why people feel the need to ‘damn others’.

Way back when:u00A0The former TOWIE star, 29, had earlier slammed influencers for promoting 'restrictive diets' to new mums and shared fans' negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition - a brand which both Ferne and Danielle endorse (the trio on TOWIE in 2013)

Way back when: The former TOWIE star, 29, had earlier slammed influencers for promoting ‘restrictive diets’ to new mums and shared fans’ negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition – a brand which both Ferne and Danielle endorse (the trio on TOWIE in 2013) 

Debate: Taking to her special Fern Nutrition Instagram page, Ferne weighed in on the debate saying she can understand why people feel the need to 'damn others' (Lucy pictured)

Diet: Ferne insisted she has never been on an 'extreme restricted diet' (Danielle pictured)

Debate: Taking to her special Fern Nutrition Instagram page, Ferne weighed in on the debate saying she can understand why people feel the need to ‘damn others’ (Lucy, left, and Danielle, right) 

Rant:u00A0Starting her post on her Instagram Story, Ferne shared Danielle's video rant, where she hit back at Lucy, and penned a message to any of her 'unnerved' followers

Rant: Starting her post on her Instagram Story, Ferne shared Danielle’s video rant, where she hit back at Lucy, and penned a message to any of her ‘unnerved’ followers

Ferne penned alongside a picture of herself in lilac gym gear: ‘Right my darlings, Lucy Meck blasted Herbalife on her Story today, which is cool if that is what she felt that she had to do, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 

‘But I’ve never understood why people feel the need to damn others. People have a choice, people have a choice to consume Herbalife products or not. To subscribe to Lucy’s fitness website or not.’ 

She continued: ‘Pre-Herbalife I was the biggest sceptic. Pre-Herbalife I was also never in the best shape (never unfit just didn’t have any definition).

‘I was a Herbalife sceptic and it wasn’t until I tried the products that I converted. I have NEVER felt that I have been on an ‘extreme restricted diet’, as Lucy put it. In fact, after consuming the products, I had never felt better.’

'Sceptical':u00A0Ferne went on to admit that she used to be a 'sceptical' over Herbalife Nutrition but that she has 'never felt better' after it helped her to lose her baby weight after welcoming daughter Sunday, three, in 2017

‘Sceptical’: Ferne went on to admit that she used to be a ‘sceptical’ over Herbalife Nutrition but that she has ‘never felt better’ after it helped her to lose her baby weight after welcoming daughter Sunday, three, in 2017 

Claims:u00A0The reality star also claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has previously affiliated the brand in 2018 and that she has seen better results in the gym

Claims: The reality star also claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has previously affiliated the brand in 2018 and that she has seen better results in the gym 

Never!u00A0Ferne went on to insist that she would 'never encourage' others to try something that she wasn't 'totally backing' herself

Never! Ferne went on to insist that she would ‘never encourage’ others to try something that she wasn’t ‘totally backing’ herself 

Ferne explained that the breakfast shake is ‘high in nutrients and low in calories’ which helped her to lose her baby weight.

The reality star also claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has previously affiliated the brand in 2018 and that she has seen better results in the gym. 

Posting a throwback picture of the footballer, she appeared to throw shade at Lucy as she captioned it with: ‘Oh hey hun, it’s only one of the world’s best professional footballers repping Herbalife.’

Ferne went on to insist that she would ‘never encourage’ others to try something that she wasn’t ‘totally backing’ herself.

Motherhood:u00A0The reality star also added that she breastfed her daughter Sunday for six months and started on the products two months after, adding that there is 'no pressure'

Motherhood: The reality star also added that she breastfed her daughter Sunday for six months and started on the products two months after, adding that there is ‘no pressure’

Dinner:u00A0Ferne went on to share a picture of her healthy dinner and admitted that she was the 'biggest foodie'

Dinner: Ferne went on to share a picture of her healthy dinner and admitted that she was the ‘biggest foodie’

A dig? Finishing her posts, the reality star shared a video of Sunday dancing to the musical Rent's hit single Seasons of Love, where the cast sing the lyrics 'five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes'

Song: Ferne said she is very grateful to have a 'very happy and healthy baby', she added: 'How long has mummy been loving Herbalife? Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes... soz, couldn't help myself' followed by crying laughing emojis

A dig? Finishing her posts, the reality star shared a video of Sunday dancing to the musical Rent’s hit single Seasons of Love, where the cast sing the lyrics ‘five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes’

Posting a picture of herself with daughter Sunday, she penned: ‘I would never encourage others to try something unless I am totally backing it myself.

‘I want to encourage women, empower, inspire and cheer every single one of our challengers on. 

‘In fact, our challenges are more than just shakes, they are a community, love, motivation, hope and so much more.’

Ferne added: ‘I b****y love doing them, every single night I am on a live or listening to a live on our groups. 

‘Why? Because I am passionate about helping others feel good about themselves and I b****y love it. No ‘extreme restriction diets’ over here with me.’

Reponse:u00A0The updates come after Lucy responded to Danielle after she hit out at the reality star for criticising her weight loss products on Wednesday night (pictured withu00A0fiancu00E9 Ryan Thomas, their son Roman, 12 months, and Ryan's daughteru00A0Scarlett, 12, in January)

Reponse: The updates come after Lucy responded to Danielle after she hit out at the reality star for criticising her weight loss products on Wednesday night (pictured with fiancé Ryan Thomas, their son Roman, 12 months, and Ryan’s daughter Scarlett, 12, in January)  

Ferne went on to share a picture of her healthy dinner and admitted that she was the ‘biggest foodie’.

The reality star also added that she breastfed her daughter Sunday for six months and started on the products two months after, adding that there is ‘no pressure’.

Ferne insisted that it has always been ‘very important’ to her that she is consuming enough calories and whole foods.

Finishing her posts, the reality star shared a video of Sunday dancing to the musical Rent’s hit single Seasons of Love, where the cast sing the lyrics ‘five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes’.

Ferne said she is very grateful to have a ‘very happy and healthy baby’, she added: ‘How long has mummy been loving Herbalife? Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes… soz, couldn’t help myself’ followed by crying laughing emojis.  

Rant:u00A0Taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, the ex-TOWIE star, 29, claimed that diet brands 'prey on the vulnerable' and that she 'sticks to what I believe' as she addressed her former co-star Danielle's, 32, pictured, rant

Rant: Taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, the ex-TOWIE star, 29, claimed that diet brands ‘prey on the vulnerable’ and that she ‘sticks to what I believe’ as she addressed her former co-star Danielle’s, 32, pictured, rant

The updates come after Lucy responded to Danielle after she hit out at the reality star for criticising her weight loss products on Wednesday night. 

Taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, the ex-TOWIE star claimed that diet brands ‘prey on the vulnerable’ and that she ‘sticks to what I believe’ as she addressed her former co-star Danielle’s rant.

Lucy also claimed that there is no ‘magic pill, tea or low-calorie shake’ that is a ‘long-term solution to weight loss’ and that new mums ‘don’t need the pressure’.

It came after the reality star had earlier slammed influencers for promoting restrictive diets to new mums and shared fans’ negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition – a brand which Danielle and Ferne endorse. 

Lucy first of all shared a screenshot of her original Q&A, captioned ‘your experiences taking diet products’, she added: ‘This is what I asked.’

Opinion: Lucy also claimed that there is no 'magic pill, tea or low-calorie shake' that is a 'long-term solution to weight loss' and that new mums 'don't need the pressure' (pictured last year)

Opinion: Lucy also claimed that there is no ‘magic pill, tea or low-calorie shake’ that is a ‘long-term solution to weight loss’ and that new mums ‘don’t need the pressure’ (pictured last year)

The reality then shared some of the responses she had received, where people had criticised the products with one person claiming they were left ‘looking like s**t’, and said: ‘This is what you guys told me.’

Writing a lengthy statement, Lucy continued: ‘I never mentioned anyone’s name or brand. I stick to what I believe. 

‘New mums don’t need pressure to lose weight. We are exhausted and have so much to deal with anyway. I believe a lot of these diet brands prey on the vulnerable.’ 

Lucy then spoke about her own experiences as a new mum after welcoming son Roman, 12 months, last year.

She continued: ‘When I had given birth my phone ads were all for ‘fast weight loss after baby’ and ‘need to lose two stone in a month!’ I feel extremely sad hearing your personal experiences using them’ followed by a heart broken emoji.   

Slammed: It came after the reality star had earlier slammed influencers for promoting restrictive diets to new mums and shared fan's negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition - a brand which Danielle endorses (Lucy and her son pictured in May)

Slammed: It came after the reality star had earlier slammed influencers for promoting restrictive diets to new mums and shared fan’s negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition – a brand which Danielle endorses (Lucy and her son pictured in May) 

Lucy added that she only started exercising four to five months after welcoming Roman.

She said: ‘When I felt ready around 4/5 months pp I introduced light exercise and balanced meals into my busy mama life,’ heart emoji.

Lucy ended her statement by insisting that there is no ‘magic pill, tea or low-calorie shake’ that is a ‘long-term solution to weight loss.

She concluded: ‘We are all unique and will all take a slightly different approach to healthy living. But I promise you this, there is no magic pill, tea or low-calorie shake that is sustainable for a long-term solution to weight loss and overall health.’

Lucy’s response came after Danielle hit back at her former TOWIE co-star for  criticising her weight loss products in a rant shared to Instagram on Wednesday. 

'It's damaging!'u00A0Lucy's response came after Danielle hit back at her former TOWIE co-star for criticising her weight loss products in a rant shared to Instagram on Wednesday

‘It’s damaging!’ Lucy’s response came after Danielle hit back at her former TOWIE co-star for criticising her weight loss products in a rant shared to Instagram on Wednesday

First-time parent Lucy took to her platform earlier in the day to slam influencers for promoting restrictive diets to new mums and shared a fan’s negative experience of using Herbalife Nutrition – a brand which Danielle endorses.

Following her post, Danielle urged the TV personality, who owns her own fitness brand Results Wellness Lifestyle, to ‘not damage and tarnish what I represent because you might have lose a few customers’.

The exercise enthusiast fought back tears as she defended her ‘community’ and explained that Danni’s Body Goals sells nutritional plans featuring shakes, live workouts, cook-alongs and motivational talks.  

Danielle and Lucy have both been passionate about encouraging healthy lifestyles to fellow mothers on social media, after welcoming daughter Orla, nine months, and son Roman, 12 months, respectively.

A representative for Lucy told MailOnline: ‘Lucy’s comments never mentioned Danielle Armstrong, Herbalife or Danielle’s job with the company.

Online feud: Following her post, Danielle urged the TV personality, who owns her own fitness brand Results Wellness Lifestyle, to 'not damage and tarnish what I represent'

Online feud: Following her post, Danielle urged the TV personality, who owns her own fitness brand Results Wellness Lifestyle, to ‘not damage and tarnish what I represent’

‘Her opinion is about the dangers of shake and calorie restricted diet culture in general and particularly the targeting of new mums by these companies and the pressure they feel.’

In her original upload, the ‘upset’ model said: ‘Little morning rant here. It’s just quite worrying actually. I keep seeing on Instagram new mums promoting extreme restrictive diets.

‘I don’t understand. I don’t understand who’s advising them, suggesting this is a good idea? It really upsets me.

‘When you’ve just had a baby especially, you just grab whatever you can. For me, it was tea, toast and coffee. You know, Ryan [Thomas] was amazing, he’d make me some nice meals, but other days, it’s tea and toast, and that’s fine.’  

The Tumble star went on to ask her followers about their experiences of taking diet products, with a social media user claiming Herbalife gave them ‘sore kidneys, shakes and tremors’, and left them ‘looking like s**t.’ 

'We're in the same industry!' The exercise enthusiast fought back tears as she defended her 'community' and explained that Danni's Body Goals sells nutritional plans

‘We’re in the same industry!’ The exercise enthusiast fought back tears as she defended her ‘community’ and explained that Danni’s Body Goals sells nutritional plans

Directly addressing Lucy’s posts, Danielle defiantly detailed the facts behind the weight management corporation.

The TV star said: ‘I just wanted to get on here to talk about something, it feels really weird doing this as I’ve never gotten into social media or Twitter war, but it’s just been brought to my attention. 

‘I don’t actually follow Lucy Meck… but someone has contacted my agent asking for comment on Lucy Meck’s story where she is slamming ‘influencers’ for promoting shake diets to new mums. 

‘Instead of going back to them, I thought I’d like to keep it real and say it here. Firstly I wanna say, I respect her opinion, but one thing I will say is that Lucy has a subscription to a fitness and meal plan.’

Highlighting that their brands are similar, the blonde added: ‘A lot of the times when I see people ‘slam’ those meal shake products, the majority of the time, they are PTs or people that have subscriptions for online fitness platforms or a meal plan. 

‘So one thing I want to say is guys please be mindful – it has a massive impact, Lucy has millions of followers, I know what that can do, it’s damaging… it is… so be mindful that this is also a business for Lucy, it’s like Coca-Cola slamming Pepsi. 

Family first: They've both been passionate about encouraging healthy lifestyles to fellow mothers on social media (Lucy pictured with son Roman, 12 months, and fiancu00E9 Ryan Thomas)

Family first: They’ve both been passionate about encouraging healthy lifestyles to fellow mothers on social media (Lucy pictured with son Roman, 12 months, and fiancé Ryan Thomas)

‘We’re in the same industry… she just has it her way with workouts every single day and making nice presented food that I’m sure tastes amazing, but for me it’s about finding something that’s quick, convenient, high in nutrition and low in calories.

‘With shakes, protein pancakes, waffles, meal supplements and meal replacements, that’s what’s happening here.’

The influencer grew emotional as she touched on the importance of boosting her fans’ confidence effectively.

Danielle said: ‘I just wanna put a few facts right before I get on to the mum thing as whoever knows me, knows… I can actually get upset… knows much I want to help mums feel body confidence. 

Priorities: The businesswoman shares daughter Orla, nine months, with fiancu00E9 Tom Edney

Priorities: The businesswoman shares daughter Orla, nine months, with fiancé Tom Edney

‘I’ve never once said ”as soon as you have a baby, let’s get you on a shake plan”. Of course not – I didn’t even do that! I waited eight or nine weeks before I did my first 21-day challenge.

‘I actually would love for Lucy and any other influencer/PT who is slating what I represent and Herbal Life nutrition to really have a look at what goes on in our challenge groups.

‘We do live workouts, cook-alongs with Wholefoods, motivational talks, meditation – there’s so much that we do!

‘It’s damaging when people like Lucy can say that these influencers promoting shake diets… yeah shake diets are bad, diet pills and juicing without any whole foods [are bad too] – we don’t promote that!’

The Full Monty star also shared Herbalife’s success in the last year as she continued to insist that its products are safe to use.

Impressive: Danielle has lost 3.5 stone after giving birth

Before: The TV star pictured pregnant last year

Impressive: Danielle has lost 3.5 stone after giving birth (pictured right when pregnant last year)

She elaborated: ‘We promote helping you get into calorie deficit, that is what you want to do to lose weight, in a healthy with balanced food but in forms of low calories.

‘Let’s just say my shake this morning had everything that the body requires, then I’d have a mid-morning protein snack, then I’d have a healthy lunch, then protein snack in the afternoon and a healthy balanced evening meal.

‘I don’t know what more I can do… for anyone who is going to continue to slate HerbalLife nutrition products… I know Lucy said someone ended up in A.E. And if that’s the case, I’m telling you, that wouldn’t be down to HerbalLife nutrition.

‘Last year, the company turned over £5 billion in net sales, last year turn over was £8.9 billion. 

‘If all these bad things were happening, I would not be taking these products, my mum, I would not encourage my followers to, we would not have done £5.5 billion in sales, they’d be a hell of a lot of sick people in the world.

‘We’re regulated in over 96 countries, we’ve been around for over 40 years. Our ambassador, Cristiano Ronaldo, he wouldn’t be affiliated with a company like that. I’ve had to set the record straight as enough is enough now.’

The mum-of-one ended her lengthy video by encouraging other health specialists to explore Herbalife before commenting on the company.

Danielle said: ‘I’d encourage any influencer or PT, Lucy, who wants to check out our products, to take them to a nutritionist. I did that when I first tried out these products. Come and see what we do in our community. 

‘There is nothing wrong with doing it my way, what you guys do is absolutely fine, but please do not tarnish what I do or represent and absolutely love doing, because you might have lost a few customers yourself!

‘Anyway, sorry to have a rant, everyone is going to have their opinions! I’m open to anyone’s opinion, but I had to get on here as I’m proud of helping thousands of people all over the world over the four years. 

Impressive: Lucy shed four stone after welcoming her son Roman in March (pictured last July)

Bumping along: The fitness enthusiast pictured pregnant with her baby boy last year

Impressive: Meanwhile, Lucy shed four stone after welcoming her son Roman last March (pictured left last July, right earlier that year)

‘Let’s all be kind to each other and help each other’s businesses instead of putting it down.’ 

Earlier this year, Danielle revealed she lost 3.5 stone and fits into her size 10 jeans again after giving birth.

She said at the time: ‘After gaining four stone in my pregnancy I really wanted to show women how your body looks after having a baby as for some women like myself it’s not as easy to snap back in to your post-pregnancy clothes. 

‘I decided 6 weeks after having my baby girl I wanted to start feeling like me again and to shift some of the baby weight I gained. I followed a simple nutrition plan and a few workouts from home and the results have been incredible.

Picture of confidence: The TV star recently showcased her toned frame in lingerie and revealed she was back in her size 10 jeans after following her exercise and nutrition plan

Picture of confidence: The TV star recently showcased her toned frame in lingerie and revealed she was back in her size 10 jeans after following her exercise and nutrition plan

‘Six months of following this plan I’ve lost 3 stone, back in my size 10 jeans and feeling happy. Of course I love being a mummy but it’s also important to feel like ME again.’ 

Lucy, meanwhile, previously credited her 4st stone weight loss to ‘listening to my body’ and enthused about being ‘in awe’ of childbirth.

The brunette told MailOnline last year: ‘I didn’t do any diet or quick fixes. I didn’t put pressure on myself and had good nights’ sleep. I just listened to my body and I needed rest. 

‘For the first two months, I did the odd bit of walking. I try to get one nutritious meal in the day, not just coffee and biscuits which I would probably have if Ryan wasn’t such an amazing chef. 

‘I tried to do 10 minute stretches a day and ease into light workouts at home – I haven’t got any big golden thing that gave me the weight loss. 

‘I thought after my eight week check when I got the all clear [to exercise] I would have been back to training four times a week, but I just thought to myself ‘I’m tired, when I get an hour free, I either want to spend it by having a nap or it’s extra play time for Roman. There’s always something else that needs doing’.’

'He is my priority now': The brunette previously credited her 4st stone weight loss to 'listening to my body' and enthused about being 'in awe' of childbirth

‘He is my priority now’: The brunette previously credited her 4st stone weight loss to ‘listening to my body’ and enthused about being ‘in awe’ of childbirth