‘The show helped me drop 5 stone’
Lianne Hedley tells Closer how the hit reality show inspired her to begin a life-changing health kick
When Lianne Hedley tuned into Love Island series 4 and saw the stars strutting around the villa, it was a reminder of how little confidence she had in her own body.
Lianne, 30, who has a son, Kobe, three, had put on 3st in nine months, and felt so insecure she’d avoid making plans with friends and hated looking in the mirror.
So she was taken with how the contestants flaunted their figures on the show – and was determined to feel as good as they did.
Lianne overhauled her lifestyle and, after losing 5st and dropping five dress sizes, she’s now more confident than ever.
SELF-CONSCIOUS
Lianne, from Wigan, says, “I watched Dani Dyer and Samira Mighty in their bikinis, and I was envious of how relaxed and confident they looked.
“I was the complete opposite. Since putting on weight, I’d really struggled to accept myself. I was so self-conscious and I was always covered up in baggy clothes.
“Those girls were my inspiration to live a happier, healthier life.”
While Lianne says she had always been curvier than her friends, at a size 12 and 11st
7lbs, she was healthy for her height of 5ft 4. She says, “Like most women, I had some body hang-ups, but I didn’t worry too much about what I ate. I’d enjoy a McDonald’s at the weekend, and I drank Coke every day. If I had a cup of tea, I’d always have a biscuit, too.”
In 2014, Lianne met her partner, Michael, 29, who works in construction. She says, “It was love at first sight and, within a year, we moved in together and I fell pregnant with our son, Kobe, in 2017. Michael and I were over the moon. But I saw pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted.
“I have a sweet tooth and I’d eat bars of chocolate, cakes and biscuits every day. For dinner,
I’d eat spaghetti Bolognese and would serve myself the same portion as Michael, despite the fact he’s 6ft.
“The NHS guidance is that women should expect to put on around 2st during pregnancy. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself as I was carrying our baby, but my weight just went up and up.
“Then, from about 20 weeks pregnant, I struggled to feel Kobe moving inside me. Staff reassured me by finding his heartbeat, but I knew my size wasn’t helping.
ANXIETY
“I had gone up three dress sizes and had put on around 3st. By July 2018, at 39 weeks, I was induced before having a Caesarean. Thankfully, Kobe was perfectly healthy.”
With a newborn, getting her weight under control was low on Lianne’s list of priorities – but she was filled with worry.
She said, “I was scared I’d get a weight-related illness and not be able to look after him.
My weight and anxiety was also stopping me from taking Kobe to baby classes and even on walks. It wasn’t fair.”
But when Lianne watched the fourth series of Love Island that summer, she realised she had to change her unhealthy lifestyle once and for all.
She says, “I remember seeing how the women owned their figures on the show. They looked great – and they knew it. I was also mesmerised by the montages of them working out. They were strong and powerful, lifting weights like the guys. I
wanted to be able to do that, too.
“My entire life, I had hidden myself. My anxiety about being overweight and unhealthy was stopping me giving my little boy the mother he deserved. I had to think of him and put him first. It was the lightbulb moment I needed. I decided to face my insecurities head on.”
In October 2018, Lianne signed up for the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan. She says, “By then, I’d got into a routine with Kobe and felt like I could focus on myself, too. The plan worked by replacing meals with their products, such as bars, shakes and soups, as well as low-carb meals and having one-to-one support from a weight-loss consultant.
“At my heaviest, I weighed 14st 7lbs. Although it was tough to start with, I was more determined than ever.
DETERMINED
“I swapped fizzy drinks for at least three litres of water per day. I started weighing out my portions, and began enjoying protein shakes, vegetable soups, and chicken salads with vegetables, plus the products in the plan. In a month, I lost a stone and felt amazing.
“I also set myself a target for 10,000 steps a day. I never took public transport, and running around after Kobe meant I was always on my feet.”
As Lianne lost weight, her confidence grew. By March 2019, she’d reached her goal weight of 9st 7lbs, and wore a size 8. She says, “I felt amazing, and for the last two years, I’ve been maintaining my weight by eating the recommended 1,800 calories. I still treat myself to meals out with friends and takeaways, but I just make sure my diet is balanced. I’ve never been happier.
“I have the freedom to wear what I want. I used to be terrified if a friend asked me to go on a night out because I wouldn’t know what to wear. That’s not a problem now – and when I next go on holiday, I’ll wear a bikini with pride, which is something I’d never have done a few years ago.”
FREEDOM
Lianne has now become a weight-loss consultant to educate others on the importance of being healthy.
She says, “Weight loss isn’t just about the number on the scales or the label in your clothes – it’s about being healthy and happy, gaining confidence, and accepting your flaws. I know I’m not perfect. My stretch marks and scars are here to stay, and I’m proud of them! They make me unique. We are all perfectly imperfect.
“Love Island helped me lose 5st and become the best version of myself. Now, I help as many people as I can to feel amazing.”
❛ THOSE GIRLS WERE MY INSPIRATION TO LIVE A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIFE ❜