The stars who have toned up in lockdown

While the lockdown upended our lives, these celebrities have used the time at home to make changes to their minds and bodies – and are healthier and happier for it

‘I bought denim shorts as motivation!’

TV personality Nadia Essex has admitted to struggling with her weight in the past and recently embarked on a shape-up journey, after giving birth to son Ezekiel in March.

And having lost half a stone during isolation, Nadia, size 12, showed fans the results of her efforts in photos she posted on Instagram. She revealed she’d worked hard to lose weight while at home by following the Do The Unthinkable meal plan.

Nadia, 38, posted, “I’m 7lbs down and feel bloody fabulous. Truly enjoying this plan!! The food is delicious and I’m starting to workout with @steve.ahern and move more, which I know is helping me feel good and keeping me healthy.”

The new mum also revealed her diet inspiration, writing, “I bought these size 12 Zara denim shorts as motivation and I’m bloody determined to fit in them by the end of July.”

‘I’ve worked hard and haven’t had any alcohol’

Since having daughter Sunday in 2017, Ferne McCann has wowed fans with her body transformation – slimming down from a pre-pregnancy size 12 to a gymhoned size 8 afterwards.

And while admitting she was happy with her figure either way, Ferne, 29, recently revealed that, after endless boredom snacking in lockdown, she decided to kickstart a strict regime – involving tough workouts, no alcohol and Herbalife shakes to get her in the best possible shape.

Ferne wrote on Instagram, “I have worked so goddamn hard the last 21 days. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol (which is a big deal for me). I know there was no weight to lose BUT I have trained & pushed myself like you wouldn’t believe… After non-stop fridge raiding since the start of lockdown & drowning my sorrows, I knew I wanted to get serious. So here I am.”

‘I stopped the excuses and changed my thinking’

He shot to fame when he started dating TOWIE star Sam Faiers, and now stars in her reality show, Mummy Diaries.

But Paul Knightley has garnered fans in his own right after showing off his impressive fitness journey last month.

The former property developer, 33 – dad to son Paul, four, and Rosie, two, with Sam – shared a collection of progress photos with followers of his Instagram account, telling fans how he’d slimmed down and bulked up over the three months of lockdown through hard work and regular workouts with his personal trainer.

He wrote, “How powerful is a changed mindset! Look what can be achieved in just 12 weeks when you stop the excuses and change your way of thinking. Hard work and discipline – me and @kc_life_change_ fitnesspt have been training every day now, no days off and this is only the start.”

‘I made a promise to myself’

She’s struggled with body confidence and depression in the past, saying, “Many people think that, because you’re on TV, you are body confident, but they are so wrong.”

But it seems lockdown’s helped Yazmin Oukhellou feel happier and healthier, as the former TOWIE star showed off her new curves on Instagram last month.

While already a fitness advocate, Yazmin says that short daily workouts – along with eating healthy, wholesome meals – has helped her build muscle and slim down, but she’s allowed herself treats when needed.

Posting alongside two bikini-clad pictures, size 8-10 Yazmin wrote, “I made a promise to myself to take some steps towards doing things for me rather than other people.

“I’ve made some small lifestyle changes that have really had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing and mindset. I can honestly say I feel amazing for making these changes!”

‘It’s amazing how quickly you get fit and see results’

She had her second child in January, but Casey Batchelor is looking trim and toned, with isolation proving to have helped her slim down to her pre-pregnancy size 8.

The former glamour model, 35 – who is mum to daughters Florence, two, and sevenmonth-old Sadie with fiancé Dane Goodson – recently shared pictures on Instagram showing her progress.

And yoga-loving Casey – who says she works out in short bursts to fit around her daughters’ nap times – credits her own high-intensity Yoga Blitz app for helping her shed the pounds. Captioning snaps of her transformation, she said, “Sometimes pictures are much more accurate than the scales… A stone and a half down and starting to feel like my abs are coming back. I really struggled at first, though – out of breath and weak – but it’s amazing how quickly you can get fitter and really see results.”