An Irish woman lost a massive 112lbs after being inspired by the ‘fit and healthy atmosphere’ at the gym where she worked.
Jade Delaney tipped the scales at more than 20 stone when she joined the cleaning staff of Fit Studios in Fairview, Dublin.
The 21-year-old admits that being surrounded by super-toned bodies all day made her feel out of place and uncomfortable: “I felt ugly. I didn’t want to be there. I just didn’t fit in whatsoever.”
However, that all changed fast when one of the gym’s owners encouraged Jade to participate in some of the classes.
Less than a year later, she had lost nearly half her body weight and had gone from a hefty size 22 to a healthy size 12.
Jade was interviewed on Irish television recently, and paid tribute to the gym’s trainers for giving her the motivation to lose weight, particularly in the first few difficult months.
“When I was starting the classes I had no training clothes I didn’t have a pair of training runners or nothing and I didn’t know what to wear. I was just so nervous but my trainer helped me.”
Jade slowly grew in confidence and combined her new exercise routines with a healthy diet.
She told TV3: “I was always the biggest out of all my friends. I was eating the wrong foods at the wrong time. My nickname was chicken balls and now they’re calling me shredding chicken!
“I was in a state of mind and I was surrounded by fit people in the gym all the time. It was the time to do it.”
Jade admitted that her new look has completely transformed her life. She has more confidence and is enjoying her clean lifestyle: “I loved going out at the weekend as well and I was drinking a lot and partying a lot, now it’s only on a rare occasion. Now I spend the weekends going out and training.”
When asked what advice she would give to people who feel they are overweight now, Jade replied: “I’d tell them to go and do it. At the end of the day the personal trainers are there to help you, that’s their job. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable around them. Do it not only to look good but to feel good!”
Jade now plans to go to college and study fitness and leisure management so that she can inspire others in the future: “I want to be able to help people who are struggling like I was and let them know that it can be done.”
