From beating the fear of gyms to obsessing over fad diets, how three women overcame challenges to finally shape upFROM feeling so body-conscious they wouldn’t join a gym to being obsessed with the latest fad diet, three women tell Fabulous the challenges they overcame to finally shape up.
I met Lee when we were both working in retail in September 2012. My size never bothered him, but after having our son Luis, in October 2015, and daughter Sofia in April 2018, my weight crept up to 15st 7lb and a size 20. Lee is a keen cyclist and tried to convince me to go to the gym, but I refused. Exercise felt like an exclusive members’ club I couldn’t be a part of.In March 2019, I went to see my GP for a regular asthma review and had a chat about my health.
I’m now a size 12 and aiming to be a 10 by Christmas, but more importantly I’m so much happier. I like what I see in the mirror and I feel so strong. Lee adored me either way, but loves how much more confident I am.”Debbie Gough, 45, is a decorator and lives in Sevenoaks, Kent, with her wife, Lisa, 44, also a decorator.
I had my daughter Rosena, now 19, in May 2001, followed by my son Samuel, 17, in December 2002, with my then-partner. I didn’t gain much weight with either of my pregnancies, remaining around 17st and a size 22-24 after they were both born. I’ve lost 5st in the last 18 months, going down to 10st, and can now run 13.1 miles – a half-marathon – in one go. I run five days a week and I’d like to do a full marathon soon, too.