WEIGH TO GO
Michelle McManus is slimmer than ever as she reveals 9st weight loss
Michelle urged her followers to love themselves and their bodies no matter what the scales say
MICHELLE McManus looks slimmer than ever and stunned fans after revealing her incredible weight loss.
The Pop Idol winner, 44, was hailed as "incredible" by fans as she shared snaps of her weight loss transformation on social media.
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Glasgow-born Michelle told her 18,000 Instagram followers that she has managed to shed nine stone in less than two years.
But the BBC Radio Scotland presenter revealed that the biggest impact from her weight loss journey hasn't come from the number on the scales.
Instead, it's the change in how she feels about herself that has been the biggest transformation for her, she said.
Michelle shared a touching post showing pictures before and after her dramatic weight loss.
In the first photo, taken at the end of 2022, the red-haired beauty is seen smiling wearing a black dress and a long green blazer.
The second was taken last week, showing a smiling Michelle wearing a gorgeous fitted bright green dress.
I love both versions of myself in the above two photos... Looking at these images side by side, I can honestly say the numbers attached to both are almost irrelevant
Michelle McManus
She wrote: "Sometimes it’s okay to stop and take stock of what you’ve achieved.
"For the past year or so I’ve been making changes in my life to help me reach the place in which I now find myself. Happily, it is a place of good health and contentment.
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"I love both versions of myself in the above two photos.
"The image on the left was taken in late 2022, eight months after I’d given birth to my second beautiful baby and I’d just started a new job presenting The Afternoon Show on @bbcradioscot.
Michelle McManus shares incredible throwback video of her with Ant and Dec 14 years ago on Pop Idol
"Even though life was going great for me, at the time I was very tired both physically and mentally.
"If I’m honest, I was also struggling with my fitness - caring for two babies under three was my priority and working on myself was not something I had dedicated time to considering, let alone doing.
"The photograph on the right was taken a few weeks ago, behind the scenes at a photoshoot I did in Glasgow.
"In total I’ve dropped 9st through calorie deficit and introducing exercise into my life.
It’s not about the label on the clothing or what it says on the scales, but instead I’ve learned it’s truly all about how you feel about yourself
Michelle McManus
"Looking at these images side by side, I can honestly say the numbers attached to both are almost irrelevant.
"It’s not about the label on the clothing or what it says on the scales, but instead I’ve learned it’s truly all about how you feel about yourself. Life gets in the way, situations change and priorities shift.
"Someone introduced me to a great quote recently that really resonated with me: 'The only lifelong relationship we’ll ever have is the one with ourselves'.
"It is something I’ve learned too, loving yourself and feeling self-worth is so important.
"It’s taken me such a long time to understand that, but thankfully now, at 44 years old, I finally get it, and perhaps that is the biggest and best transformation of all."
The Scots singer shot to fame on the 2002 series of Pop Idol and topped the charts with her debut single All This Time.
On the talent hunt show, Michelle, 43, faced fierce criticism from record producer judge Pete Waterman, 76, over her weight.
10 habits to do daily if you want to lose weight
SOMETIMES hard to sift through the mountains of weight-loss advice to find what actually works, luckily bodybuilder Joe Delaney, is here to cut through the noise.
Here are his top ten tips for what to do every day if you want to lose weight.
- Weighing yourself every day - by doing this, we're not just tracking our progress, but also instigating it and holding ourselves accountable, Joe said
- Prioritise resistance training - instead of focusing on things like running, try lifting weights as this will help lose weight and aid muscle growth
- Plan ahead - "While accepting that there as an element of uncertainty that comes with life, you should do as much as you can to plan ahead when it comes to your training, nutrition and rest2, Joe explained
- Controlled cheating - it's actually good to cheat - on occasion - the guru says. Pick one meal, or even day, per week, in which you allow yourself to eat foods you've been craving
- Establish a sleep routine - a strict bedtime you don't compromise on should probably be the first thing you do when trying to lose weight
- Whole foods - try eating clean, at least for the vast majority of the time, and try to avoid eating too many processed foods
- Stay hydrated - staying quenched is a good way to stave off hunger
- Stay busy - Boredom often gets confused for hunger, keeping busy will also stop you from thinking about the fact you are dieting, which could make you want to eat more
- Burn calories for fun - find some sort of exercise that doesn't feel like exercise
- Track EVERY calorie - "all small calories add up, or at other times, you might think something is inconsequential, but it's not. This is the single most effective tool you can use, so use it", Joe says
The veteran music man famously took a swipe at the Scots musician during her first audition and said: "I think you are not a Pop Idol."
Commenting on the feud, Michelle said: "Pete Waterman had an issue with me right from the beginning."
But Michelle's hard work on her weight loss journey hasn't gone unnoticed by fans.
Loving yourself and feeling self-worth is so important... I finally get it, and perhaps that is the biggest and best transformation of all
Michelle McManus
Many commented on her pictures praising her for her incredible figure 22 years after appearing on the Ant and Dec primetime hit.
One person said: "You look incredible".
Another added: "Just stunning, you look amazing what’s your secret I’ve been trying to lose weight for years, it’s depressing me".
Someone else posted: "Absolutely stunning. You look incredible and very happy".
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And a fourth wrote: "Looking fab Michelle".
While a fifth chimed in: "I bet you feel so good... you look great".
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