I'm a size 20 personal trainer, and people are appalled. I get abused online and called 'fat,' but I'm super fit and healthy. Here's my story.
I posted a photo of myself at the gym on Instagram, and the comments started pouring in. Strangers demanded to know how I could call myself a fitness expert. But I wasn't ashamed of my size; I was proud. I've always been a bit on the heavier side, hovering around size 22 as a 5ft 4in woman. I attended slimming clubs in my teens and 20s, but it never stuck.
I struggled with low self-esteem and poor mental health. Then, in 2018, I met my now-wife, Bethan, on Tinder. We married three years later, and I was a size 24 on our wedding day. I hated how I looked and started to worry about my health.
One day, while walking, it hit me: I hated exercise. I was only 30, but at 24st, I was concerned about my life expectancy. So, I decided to make a change. I limited my calorie intake to 1,750 a day and began working out four times a week. It was tough, but I was determined.
By September 2023, I had dropped to 16st and a size 12-14. Inside, I was still the same person, but how people reacted to me was transformed. They gave me compliments, were interested in me, and I felt visible for the first time in years.
However, when my personal trainer suggested aiming for 12st, it backfired. I felt like the numbers on the scales were the only thing that mattered. So, I stepped back from my new lifestyle.
I eased up on diet and exercise, and the weight crept back on, which was hard to accept. I decided to get back to fitness, but without the calorie counting. In March 2024, I returned to the gym, focusing on moving my body, building confidence, and improving my mental and cardiovascular health.
I was gaining weight, but I was also getting stronger. At 18st, I decided to qualify as a personal trainer. I hoped that my unique journey would inspire others.
Even though my weight continued to increase, I felt amazing. So, in March this year, I started posting photos to share my journey. But here's the thing: can you target fat loss to one area? It's a common question.
Targeted fat loss, or 'spot reduction,' is the idea that you can lose fat from a specific part of your body by focusing on that area. However, the scientific consensus is that it's largely a myth. When you lose fat, it tends to come off in a general manner, spread across the body. It's determined by genetics and hormonal factors, not specific exercises.
But here's the catch: you can focus on specific muscles, which can help tone and grow them. This can give that area a different look, especially if you're lean. So, to lose fat, you need to:
- Reduce your calorie intake
- Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (they contain fiber, which helps you feel full)
- Do regular exercise, more than you were before (walking, gym classes, or weights)
- Stick to a long-term plan. If it's too drastic, you're more likely to give up.
Now, my current weight is just over 20st, and I'm a size 20. I feel the happiest and fittest I've ever been. I ignore the online abuse from people who are appalled to see a 'fat' person working as a personal trainer. I train four times a week, walk my dogs without getting out of breath, and I'm stronger than ever. In fact, I've just entered a Strongman competition.
Yes, I'm technically obese, but I focus on the benefits of my training and lifestyle for my physical and mental health. From a young age, women are taught that losing weight is the route to looking and feeling our best. But gaining pounds, while getting fit and strong, has brought me the confidence I've dreamed of all my life.
