By Liana Jacob
MEET the British woman whose break-up saw her saw her diet spiral out of control but has since turned her life around, building up a super-hot physique and dropping three dress sizes.
Sales advisor, Katie Simmonds (24), from Wales, UK, had a tough upbringing, being bullied which saw her become quiet and reserved. Despite this, she had always been a sporty person; participating in cross-country running in high school.
It wasn’t until her break-up that she stopped exercising and ate nothing but sugary foods and ready meals, which led her to pile on the pounds to reach 10st and a UK size 10 to 12.
Hating herself and avoiding going out in the day, she decided she no longer wanted to feel that way and signed up to the gym in 2015. Since then, she’s shed the pounds, weighing 9st 4lbs and is a UK size 8.
“I had quite a tough upbringing, family life, bullying which led me to be quite a quiet and reserved person, especially with people I didn’t know, I would be the one to listen more than I spoke,” Katie said.
“My lowest weight was due to going through quite an unpleasant break-up which I struggled to get over; I didn’t eat properly for over a month and some days I would run off a cup of tea and a chocolate bar only.
“There was a point when I was too skinny and even though I felt sad, I secretly liked how skinny I was because at the time it was the only thing that made me feel good about myself, thinking I looked good.
“I got to my lowest point where I didn’t feel like I wanted to be here anymore; I hated my body, my personality – everything. I had no self-esteem to the point I didn’t even want to go out and one day I just thought this isn’t how I want to be.
“I always admired how hard girls would work in the gym and how happy they said it made them feel and I wanted to feel like that which was when I got my first gym membership.
“I kind of did my own thing at first. I was nervous, so I stuck to cardio but as I got to know people and looked online for different workouts to do, I would slowly pluck up the courage to try them in the gym.
“My love for training started from then. I also started writing blog-like captions for my Instagram photos about mental health and how I feel to help people who may have had the struggles that I have had and this also helped me not to be ashamed of myself or my past.
“I get a lot of people who tell me that this is inspiring and they wish they could do the same, all because I was fed up of being the quiet girl.
“It has turned my life around and keeps me sane. My confidence is higher than I ever thought it would be, I feel happier than ever and I’m proud of myself.
“The fitness industry is so supportive as well, which I love; no one really judges you because we are all on our own journeys for different reasons.”
From a non-existing exercising routine to training six days a week, Katie has completely turned her routine on its head, now committing to a 12-week plan to get in shape, despite facing some challenges along the way.
“I feel like that was a massive turning point for me in terms of my physique. Chicken, eggs, rice, sweet potato, oats and green beans were mostly what I ate during those twelve weeks,” she said.
“I struggled with binging a lot; I just couldn’t control it, but I have definitely taught myself to control it and to be honest I don’t really binge at all anymore.
“I get a lot of women message me about how good I look and what I eat etc. Also, that I inspire them, which makes me really happy.
“I would say, your mind needs to be in it. Don’t start something if you’re not going to give it your absolute all.
“Don’t focus on physical progress and enjoy the process of training then the results will just follow. Meal prepping and cleaning up your diet is also a huge thing.
“I’m happy with who I am now and I love how much I’ve developed mentally more than physically.”
For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/_katiesimmonds/
