And after qualifying as a personal trainer last month, Josie Gibson, who dropped from a size 20 to a super-slender 10, reckons she could transform anyone into a fitness bunny. She says: “I know just how hard it is to lose weight and get in shape – I’ve been there. But if I can do it, anyone can.”
What about the notoriously gym-shy Kate Moss, who has been pictured looking a little out of shape in her bikini this summer?
Josie says: “She’s still gorgeous, but looks quite untoned now. She’s nearing 40 and it’s harder to stay trim the older you get. I’d get Kate off the booze and cigarettes and training with me. I’m fitter than Kate and would be a great workout buddy for her – I’d soon whip her into shape!”
And Josie adds she’d also like to help yo-yo dieter Lauren Goodger slim down for good. She explains: “I’d happily work with Lauren. I know she’s been open about her weight struggles. The problem with Lauren is she goes on too many faddy diets then, when she falls off the wagon, she puts on the weight again. I’ve met Lauren and she’s not as big as she looks in pictures. If I was to work with her, I’d just get her eating loads of tasty, healthy food and exercising regularly.”
But one celebrity Josie is unlikely to offer her personal-training services to is Sarah Harding. Since Josie slimmed down, she’s often been mistaken for the Girls Aloud star and there have been reports that Sarah was unhappy with the comparisons.
Josie says: “I find it really flattering to be compared to Sarah as she’s really pretty. But I heard she wasn’t too happy about the comparison. I haven’t had that confirmed, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she said that.”
She candidly adds: “I’ve heard Sarah’s the bitchy one of Girls Aloud. The rest of the girls are supposed to be lovely, but I’ve heard Sarah isn’t so nice.”
Josie – who is 5ft 10 and currently around 101/2st – has a second workout DVD coming out this Christmas, but adds that, after her incredible weight loss, she now allows herself at least one cheat day a week to scoff on her favourite treats. She says: “I went hell-for-leather when I first lost the weight, but now I’m happy with where I am and am working to convert fat into muscle and get tight and toned up everywhere.
“I train three times a week and allow myself one or two cheat days a week where I have a yummy curry or sweets. The rest of the time, I eat organically, but it’s nice to have some indulgences.”
She adds: “Just over a year ago, I felt awful and my confidence was so low. But now I’m feeling amazing and confident. I’m so proud of my body.”
The 28 year old – who had a boob job taking her from a 34A to a 34DD in May – laughs: “I love my new boobs and enjoy flaunting them.”
Meanwhile, Josie insists she and fiancé Luke Sanwo are more loved-up than ever, following a brief split earlier this year. The pair recently celebrated their two-year anniversary and Josie gushes that, while they haven’t got any wedding plans sorted, she’s been thinking about motherhood more recently.
Josie previously said she’d love to adopt a child and have a “rainbow family” like Angelina Jolie. She says: “I’d love to adopt a baby – I’d have a child from every country! I wouldn’t mind having a baby naturally, but it would be lovely to offer a child in need a loving home.”
However, the star insists she wouldn’t worry about gaining weight if she fell pregnant. Josie adds: “I know so much about health and fitness now, I would stay healthy throughout the pregnancy. I’d eat sensibly and workout throughout. You can do more gentle exercises, like yoga, while pregnant. I wouldn’t worry about shedding the weight after the birth, either. I looked pregnant when I was bigger anyway, so if I can transform my body once, I can do it again!”