Jo O’Meara:
After years away from the spotlight, former S Club 7 star Jo O’Meara reveals how she’s transformed her health and attitude and finally feels positive again
“I lost 2st in lockdown... I’ve never felt better!”
She stunned fans with her glamorous new look on ITV’s Lorraine last month, with viewers claiming she looked at least 10 years younger. And Jo O’Meara herself admits she feels healthier and more body confident than she has in years.
While some binged their way through lockdown to cope, the former S Club 7 star decided to overhaul her lifestyle. As well as quitting smoking and drastically cutting down on alcohol, she also became more active and started eating a cleaner diet.
“I found my motivation,” Jo tells Closer.
“I thought, ‘I can go one of two ways – either down the route of drinking and eating rubbish because no one’s going to see me, or go healthier and feel good about myself’, and that’s what I did.”
LOW AND SLUGGISH
The 42-year-old, who’s released a new album, With Love – her first solo record in 16 years – says her unhealthy lifestyle was making her feel low and sluggish. “I used to wake up every morning, especially when I was smoking, and just feel ‘urrgh’. For a good 45 minutes, I didn’t want to speak to anyone and had to sit on my own and just be quiet,” admits Jo, who’s mum to 13-year-old son, Lenny, with ex-partner Billy Slate.
“I wanted to feel stronger mentally and physically, and lose some weight – especially with the album coming out. So, I started by doing Bodypump classes via an app on the TV, bought a trampoline, which I used for 10 or 15 minutes a day, and we did lots of walking in the woods.”
Jo, who’s vegetarian, also tackled her diet, cutting back on high-carb foods and snacks. She admits, “I’m an emotional eater, so the more down I feel or the heavier I am, the more I reach for things I shouldn’t be eating. I don’t eat meat, so it was pasta, bread, sandwiches and cheese all the time. And I did like eating junk!”
Now Jo starts each day with a healthy shake made with low-fat soya milk, porridge oats, peanut butter, raspberries and blueberries, and her meals are based around salads, eggs and lots of veg. She adds, “If I’m peckish, I’ll have a small bowl of cereal with low-fat soya milk or a protein ball, which still feels like a chocolatey treat.
“I’ve lost 2st, just by moving more and putting more good food into my body. The last time I got on the scales I was 9st 3lbs, which I’m very happy with because I was over 11st not long ago.”
After years of yo-yoing, Jo says she’s found a balanced way of eating that she can maintain.
She says, “Finally, at 42, I’ve found a happy medium. Some days I’ll treat myself to a pizza or Quorn spaghetti Bolognese to get it out of my system, then I’ll make up for it by eating cleaner the next day, so I don’t feel I’m missing out.”
Quitting smoking and cutting back on booze have also been key to her glow-up and increased energy levels. “I managed to quit cigarettes using the Smokefree app, which prompts you to do well by giving you a clap or a little trophy – you find yourself not wanting to let the app down!” she laughs.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK
“I’ve pretty much stopped drinking.
I used to have a glass of wine in the evenings to relax, but I realised I don’t need it; it just became a habit. Now I’ll have a couple of drinks if it’s a special occasion.”
Recently, Jo admitted she’d suffered a “complete breakdown” after being accused of racist behaviour towards Bollywood actress, Shilpa Shetty, on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, along with the late Jade Goody and Danielle Lloyd. She said she fell into a “dark place” after losing work opportunities, but changing her lifestyle has transformed her mood and attitude
to life. She says, “Now when I wake up, I’m more alert and I’m out of bed and ready to go. I feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin, and I have a much more positive outlook, so I feel really lucky and happy.”
FEELING STRONGER
The star has also admitted she felt like the “ugly duckling” next to S Club 7 bandmates Tina Barrett, Rachel Stevens and Hannah Spearritt. So, does she feel better prepared for the attention this time around?
She says, “There’s always a certain amount of pressure when you’re in the public eye, but I’ve grown up a lot. I’ve learned so much and I feel stronger. I try to look as nice as I can, but I’ve learned it’s about what I’m doing musically. I’m not going to beat myself up if there’s a bad picture of me out there.”
Meanwhile, rumours have been swirling about a possible S Club 7 reunion, but Jo is quick to dismiss the gossip, saying, “There have been no talks or meetings. Everyone’s busy with their own projects and raising their families. We still keep in touch on WhatsApp, but we’re all just living our own lives.”
For the moment, Jo is happy focusing on her new album.
“I still have to pinch myself because I can’t believe I’m back doing the only thing I want to do,” she says.
“I’m loving every minute!”
‘I realised I don’t need to drink every day’