Kathryn Thomas’ Instagram post is the underwear photo we needed to see right now

This morning, Kathryn Thomas posted a picture of herself in her underwear to Instagram. Unsurprisingly it caused a bit of a stir online.

Now, when you think 'TV star' 'Instagram' and 'underwear' what automatically comes to mind is some provocative photoshoot involving barely-there lingerie on an impossibly beautiful woman. Velvet cushions suspender belt, bombshell waves, perfect red pout... You know the score. There's no doubt that the gorgeous Kathryn could easily have produced one of those – but instead she's given us an underwear shot that's worth paying attention to. In the photo, the Operation Transformation host stands in the centre of a group of this year's contestants from the show. They're all glammed up ahead of their final weigh in, but the host herself is, well, not dressed at all. Instead of a glam gown, Kathryn has rollers in her hair, fluffy slippers on her feet, and is wearing a nude bra and a large pair of support pants. They're the full-on kind too, the ones that pinch at the thighs, hinder your breathing and leave you sweaty all over. It's a reversal of the usual Operation Transformation photo, where the contestants are usually the ones in their underwear ahead of their weekly weigh in. But it's also a powerful statement. As a curvy woman who wouldn't dream of putting on a dress without Bridget Jones suck-me-ins at the very least myself, it's SO VERY REFRESHING to see that a woman as fit, slim and stunning as Kathryn feels the need to wear support underwear too. And it's not even in a sexy colour – Kathryn's undergarments are in that same goes-under-everything shade of nude leaves me feeling decidedly sausage-like when I've squeezed into my own. I've always assumed that women like Kathryn didn't need shape wear to feel good about themselves, just as I've always assumed that they're happy with how they look. However, the caption on the Operation Transformation host's post reveals otherwise.

"This ethos of this programme is to educate people in the whole area of fitness and nutrition so as to improve their health. But, just as importantly, the show is about encouraging people to love and respect their bodies and regain their confidence which has been entirely lost. "To stand on TV in your jocks, esp if your self esteem is in your boots is not easy. But the courage and confidence it takes means the desire and momentum for change Is already in motion. "I always feel if there was one lesson we could all master in life, it would be to not give a shit what people think of us. It would allow us really focus on what we want, what actually makes us happy and it would free us up to concentrate on achieving our goals and dreams. It’s not easy in today’s world and I’m not saying I’ve fully mastered it either. Far from it. "But learning to become proud of our bodies and what they are capable of doing is so important. Healthy bodies, it’s worth remembering, come in all shapes and sizes."

Healthy bodies – even celebrity ones – sometimes have to wear shape wear to feel that they look their best too. And that's strangely good to know.