Name: Desiree Jones
Age: 19
Height: 5ft 2inch
Weight: 58 kg
Residence: United Kingdom
Fitness Achievement: Overcame Anorexia & Built Lean Muscle Mass.
What made you take up fitness seriously?
Growing up I was always someone who liked being active. However when I started secondary school it got way out of hand. I became over obsessive with it. I lost all control. I ended up becoming extremely underweight. I had an eating disorder which I was diagnosed at the age of 14/15. When I first got help I didn’t want it I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me. I then was not allowed to do any exercise which I found really hard. I used to hardly eat a thing; I was so scared of food. I was scared of what it would do to me. I had so much hate for myself. I was then took out of school because my weight for way too low I was 5 stone (1 stone=6.35 kgs) at the age of 16. I was then threatened to be taken away from my mum that is when things kicked in I knew that I was ok. I found some inner strength, I started fighting for life. It was a very difficult journey. Many times I wanted my life to end and I kept slipping back. I got myself back into school to do my GCSE. I managed to pass everything I don’t even know how. I still had a long way to go. During my recovery my mum said to me when I was in a much better state as I now had an aim and that helped me. She would start the gym with me when I got to the weight I needed to. I got to that weight and December 2016 I started the gym. I used to do a lot of cardio to start with and a bit of weights. I didn’t fuel my body enough. I started doing more of lifting. I loved how it made me feel and my views and goals completely changed.
2014 – I had no self confidence, I was constantly putting myself down. I was suffering with anorexia nervousa and depression, I didn’t know who I was. I found myself in a constant battle trying to find reasons why I should even be in this world. Constantly shutting myself out of the world, telling myself I didn’t deserve anything.
2017 – I am full of so much life, I am full of so much happiness. I have finally found myself. I finally have self believe, I have self confidence. Over the years I have removed all negative people out of my life. I have found my inner strength. I have reminded myself that I am worth life. I deserve better. All those negative things I had going on at that time I didn’t deserve to punish myself for it. I stopped blaming myself and started to overcome things.
I got a recovery tattoo because I am not ashamed. It has made me into the person that I am today. I believe everything happens for a reason. I have become so much stronger and happier. I share this story of mine to show you guys that even when you feel like you have no hope things CAN and things WILL get better.
You are enough. You are worth everything. Never give up in you.
What keeps you motivated?
The main thing that keeps me motivated is looking back on how far I have come. From being someone who hated the way I looked, who suffered with anorexia nervousa and was extremely underweight and fighting for my life to then get to where I am now. I love how it makes me feel, I love how much more confident I feel about myself.
What are the hurdles you faced on course to achieving your fitness goals?
To start off with I was still fighting with thoughts of I wasn’t good enough and I needed to be skinny. I hated gaining weight and used to make me feel disgusting. I was always worrying about the scales. Trying to get myself to eat enough and not to over do it. I would say the past 8 months is where I have really stopped having those hurdles. No more worrying about the weight gain, how much I am eating. I don’t wanna be skinny anymore but to be strong.
Who are your role models / Whom do you look up to?
I have so many role models. Firstly I would say my Mum, because if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be where I am now. She showed me how to be strong, how to fight for your self worth. She helped me so much. She showed me how some people aren’t worth getting ill about or getting yourself down. She showed me how to pick myself back up.
Another person is Beth_fitnessuk she is one hell of an inspiring person. Her transformation is amazing. She is someone that keeps me going and makes me feel better about myself. She helped me see that gaining weight isn’t a bad thing.
What is your current workout program?
My current goal is to build more muscle, to become stronger. I am currently training 4-5 days a week. I do what I can with work as I work full time as a support worker so I have crazy hours. I am trying to improve upon my upper body I want to be stronger and show more definition. I went too long worrying I would look silly if I lifted for my upper body.
What diet did you follow while training?
I have never followed any sort of plan, I have always just had a healthy balance diet of what I want and like. I eat all homemade meals. I ensure I am getting a good amount of protein, carbs and fats!
What is your favourite workout and your favourite body part to exercise?
My favourite thing to train is legs and I love doing hip thrusts
What is your cheat meal?
I must say I love a cheeky Nando’s or Chinese or cheese cake
What supplements have you used and which ones do you find the best?
I personally use BCAA and Protein.
Protein helps me to increase my calories as I need to eat a lot.
BCAA I find it helps me get through my workouts
What have been your accomplishments so far?
I managed to overcome such a horrible illness. I have gained 3 and half stone over the years and I feel the best I ever have. I have started an Instagram account which I have 36.9k and I can’t believe it. Sharing my story has allowed other people to see their self worth. Helping people is what makes me happy. One of my teachers at college didn’t believe I could achieve my GCSE or handle the course. I managed to prove them wrong. Got all my GCSE for D*D*D* at college and now working in a full time job as a support worker. I have become a key worker for someone and I couldn’t believe it as only been here 3 months. I become an ambassador for BPI I couldn’t believe they wanted me part of their team!!
What are your long term plans in terms of fitness / career in fitness?
My long term goals it to become stronger and to build more muscle. Also I want to be able to inspire more people. I plan to maybe do something that helps individuals over come mental health and possibly do online coaching. I know I want to carry on helping others and to build up my connection with people.
What are some diet and workout tips you would like to give our readers?
Ensure that you fuel your body with enough food! Don’t ever deprive your body. Make sure you eat enough, don’t be scared of carbs or fats but keep them in check. Also make sure you give your body rest, don’t over train and listen to your body.
What is one fitness advice you would like to give every beginner?
Another thing is don’t let fitness over take your life. It should not become too much of an obsession! Don’t feel bad if you want to take a extra day off or go out for a meal or whatever. Life is about balance and happiness. Do what works for you, do what makes you happy and don’t worry about anyone else.
You can follow desiree at Instagram: dessyslife_
