'Now I can borrow MY TEENAGER'S CLOTHES'

After some blunt words from a doctor, Neha Madhu, 44, is stronger, fitter and more confident than ever before

- ELAINE HAYWARD

If you’d told me two years ago that one day I'd be confidently posing for full-length photos and even sharing clothes with my teenage daughter, I’d never have believed you. Back then, I felt stuck. I’d tried and failed so many times to lose weight that I no longer thought lasting change was possible.

Growing up, I was what people used to called 'heavy-boned' and when I got married at 22, I was a size 14-16. After having my two children, the same pattern repeated. I'd lose a little through diet and exercise, but gain it all back once good habits slipped.

My lifestyle didn’t help. I travelled every six weeks for business or holidays, which meant endless hotel breakfasts and restaurant dinners. At home in Hertfordshire, my diet was carb-heavy with lots of rice, lentils, chapatis and fried food. As a vegetarian, I thought I was eating healthily, but I later learnt that although lentils are a good source of protein, they're also high in carbohydrates. Without realising it, I was eating far more than my body needed.

In 2016, I worked with a dietitian and personal trainer and lost over 3st in 10 months. But running my own business while juggling family life made it hard to stay consistent. Then Covid-19 hit, and like many people, I turned to food for comfort. The weight piled back on, and by the time life returned to normal, I was about 14st 2lb.

Then at the start of 2023, I came across a personal trainer Tejal Patel, on Instagram who runs Tej-Fit. I messaged her, but never got in touch again. The following September I spotted Tej at a beauty and lifestyle exhibition, but felt too embarrassed to say hello. Deep down, I still wasn't ready to commit. I told myself I'd get around to it one day.