A woman who weighed around 10 stone is unrecognizable after a devastating breakup inspired her to get the perfect “revenge body”.
Josie Varela, 33, from Los Angeles, California, has been bullied her entire life for her size. He was insulted at school and was the last to be chosen for the sports team.
In her youth, she said men rejected her on dates and her friends asked her to dance in nightclubs while she was left on the sidelines.
During an unhappy relationship, Josie’s coping mechanism was comfort eating: she ordered McDonald’s and Taco Bell four times a day and embarrassingly hid wrappers in her car.
At her heaviest in January 2018, Josie weighed 22.12lbs and wore a size XXXXL, but after being dumped, she was finally inspired to get a ‘revenge body’ and make her ex jealous.
Josie Varela, 33, of Los Angeles, California, ordered four times a day at McDonald’s and Taco Bell, where fast-food workers knew her by her first name.
At her heaviest in January 2018, Josie weighed 22.12 pounds and wore a size XXXXL.
Today she weighs 12.7 pounds, is a medium size and found new love with Elías Jiménez, 31, whom she married in October of last year.
Josie, who now works as a weight loss coach, said: ‘I grew up being called the “fat kid” and was the last person chosen for the sports team.
‘I would use food as a comfort mechanism during my relationship; It was like my medicine. So after my relationship, I was heartbroken and began my weight loss journey. At first I was inspired by the “revenge body,” but I realized I needed to heal.
‘I went to the gym every day to gain muscle and then started running and cycling when I had Covid. Now I’m 12 and 7lbs, but I’ve found a good middle ground: I enjoy being active, I’m healthy and I eat foods I enjoy.’
Josie grew up in a Mexican family where “food was everything” and enjoyed large portions of foods high in carbohydrates and fats.
He was bullied to the point of being “paralyzed by humiliation and shame,” as he explained: “My diet was rubbish: I ate breakfast all day.”
Josie said she was called the ‘fat girl’ at school and was rejected by men on dates because of her size.
He said he used food as a coping mechanism during a previous unhappy relationship.
After weighing around 50lbs before her weight loss journey (left), Jodie now weighs 12st 7lbs (right) and says she has found a “good medium”.
“No one wants to take me dancing to clubs or bars, or a guy will buy my friends drinks and not me.”
If I went on a blind date, I would see the disappointed look on the guy’s face as soon as he arrived. Fast food has become a staple in my life.
“The McDonald’s staff knew my name and my order without me telling them.”
In January 2018, he began exercising and modified his diet: He worked out outdoors when gyms were closed due to the pandemic.
She also met her current husband, Elías, a carpenter, who supported her during her transition.
Josie said: ‘At the time I was focused on myself, I wasn’t worried about finding a man. But we connected very well.”
In January 2018, Jodie (pictured) started exercising and revamped her diet – working out outdoors when gyms were closed due to the pandemic.
Josie now works as a weight loss coach, inspiring others to embark on a ‘self-love journey’.
After contracting Covid, Josie ran and cycled to gain muscle. She said: “I enjoy being active, I’m healthy and I eat foods I enjoy.”
Josie with her father after losing 10 kilos during the pandemic
In 2021, he reached his lowest weight: 11 pounds, meaning he had almost halved his body weight.
Josie became a weight loss coach when she reopened the gym to help others.
She said: “I am incredibly proud but very sorry for the woman I was and what I went through.”
‘It’s been a wild ride and sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved until other women message me saying I’ve inspired them.
‘It’s deeper than weight loss, it’s a journey of self-love. It’s not about the number on the scale, how many carbs you eat, or how often you go to the gym. It’s about putting yourself and your health first.’