Heidi Montag learning martial arts

The reality TV star – who recently admitted she and husband Spencer Pratt are on the verge of bankruptcy – is having to change her lifestyle dramatically in order to cut down her expenditure.

She admitted: “I can’t afford security, so I practice self-defence and chain punching.

“I have spent millions on security in the last four years because I had to take care of the cost all on my own. It’s crazy and it’s hard, but life is not always fair.

“I have had to change my life. I can’t afford to go out to the clubs anymore because the sort of protection I need can cost anywhere from five to 10 thousand dollars a night ... when you travel it’s even worse, because you need to cover the guards travel, food lodging, etc and pay them. That is actually where all my money went because safety is number one.”

Although Heidi is learning ways to protect herself, she is not yet confident in her abilities in the practice of Wing Tsun and so admits she has taken to leaving the house less and less.

She told RadarOnline.com: “It is scary to be out there without protection, people do follow me and you can never be too careful.

“It’s overwhelming, and it’s most difficult when I’m in large groups of people

“I’m not ready to go out alone yet ... I’m only 5ft 2ins tall and have a small frame so I understand I can’t completely do it alone. Which is why I don’t go out as much anymore.

“Half the reason I am laying low and staying to myself is because I don’t have that security like I used too, and you never can predict what will happen.”

Despite her safety worries, the blonde beauty says the lessons have given her a confidence boost.

She added: “It gives me a confidence I didn’t have before. I am doing this self-defence because it gives me inner strength, and I feel safe in my home. It’s a deterrent, but I know I can’t do what the body guards do.”