Josie laid bare: “I’m eating eight times a day!”
Joise Gibson reveals she’s ditched her healthy diet for carbs while training for The Jump – and says she’s disappointed there’s no Mr Right on the slopes
It took her just over a year I to lose an incredible 6st in 2012, and transform her body from a size 20 to an 8. And Josie Gibson has not only maintained her figure, she’s also gone on to make a career out of her weight loss, becoming a personal trainer and launching a fitness DVD.
Last year, 5ft 11 Josie had 6lbs of excess skin removed after her weight loss. Then in 2013, the former Big Brother star had a breast enlargement, going from a 34B to a D-cup. But despite signing up for The Jump, and being subjected to strenuous training on the show, 32-year-old Josie admits she’s loading up on carbs and has taken a break from her healthy diet.
FEELING STRONG
Speaking from Innsbruck, Austria, where the show is based, Josie says: “This does keep you really fit, but you don’t half eat loads! I’m eating seven to eight times a day and it’s all been stodge – I have to stop! I don’t usually eat bread and pasta, but I am at the moment. Back home, my diet is really good: it’s green and clean. But I’m very happy with my body right now because I know it’s getting me through this; I am very strong. Plus I’ve had my boobs and my stomach done so there’s nothing else you can have, is there?”
When it comes to love, the reality star is still optimistic about finding her Mr Right. She’s been single since breaking off her engagement to plumber Luke Sanwo in 2015 after four years together – but says they’ll always remain close.
“Luke will always be a really good friend of mine,” says Josie. “He’s welcome to come out [to Austria] and see me. He’s a really good bloke.”
Despite appearing on The Jump alongside serial flirt Spencer Matthews and super-fit Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, she tells Closer she has no hope of finding love on the slopes – despite previous competitors Stacey Solomon and Steve-o enjoying a romance in 2015, and reports last year that former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and Superman star Dean Cain had formed a close friendship.
Josie says: “I am single but there’s no one here for me. I thought there might be some more eligible bachelors – but no. Not even the ski instructors are eligible!”
But Josie isn’t going to let that side of things get her down and says she’s already made loads of friends on the show.
She says: “I’m having the best time and have made friends for life. I shouldn’t say this really but my favourites are Gareth Thomas and Emma Parker-bowles – we’ve stuck together like glue. They make me cry laughing every day.”
However, The Jump has become synonymous with serious injuries. Last year, it saw a worrying seven contestants taken to hospital: Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle damaged two vertebrate, while former Holby City actress Tina Hobley is still using a crutch after serious injuries to her arm, shoulder and leg.
SCARY INJURIES
Brave Josie admits they’re being trained harder than ever this year to avoid more celebrity injuries – so much so, she’s not had time to wash her hair!
She says: “You do think about the injuries, and it is scary, but I had a look at our schedule and we have so much training I haven’t even had time to wash
‘There’s no one on The Jump for me – not even the ski instructors are eligible!’
my hair! Safety is really important so we’re not pushed to do anything we don’t feel comfortable with.”
She adds: “I’ve sustained a minor knee sprain and knocked my head when I fell down a jump – but it was nothing serious.
“It’s about 20 per cent physical and 80 per cent mindset; you have to learn to love the speed. You can put your mind to anything, really.”