'Weight Training Changed My Life'

After years of yo-yo dieting, Jennie Finlay, 41, found hitting the gym changed her shape and life, for the better

- Jade Beecroft

Celebrating at my friend’s wedding, I realised it was the first time I’d worn a dress since my own big day 20 years ago – for years I’d been hiding behind baggy clothes. It was the bride, Lorraine, who a year earlier, had lifted me from rock bottom. I’d lost my long-term partner to a heart attack and was overweight myself. Lorraine insisted I join her at the gym, knowing it would make me feel better. Without her, I never would have transformed my life.

I’d always been ‘the big girl’ at school.  I was a chubby child, despite playing hockey, and as a teenager I was chunkier than my friends. At 16, I was ‘the bubbly one’, low in confidence but making jokes to cover it up.

I was a yo-yo dieter. When I was 21 I slimmed down to 12st, a size 16. I had a goal – I was marrying my fiancé Greg and wanted to fit into my wedding dress. At 22, I was expecting my first child and I ballooned back up to 16st – heavy for my 5ft 3in frame. Another child three years later meant I piled weight on again. Our marriage didn’t work out and, when I was 30, we separated. I lost about 1st 7lb through the upset and, single again, I wanted to overhaul my life. I started swimming but the weight never stayed off.