A gran who totally transformed her life by shedding 18 stone and having two stone of saggy skin cut off, is now a bodybuilder. Dee Hodgson, 53, tipped the scales at 28st 11 lbs and struggled to squeeze into a size 34.
She struggled to walk without a frame and her size left her in constant agony. Doctors suspected she was suffering from fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
The mum-of-four and gran-of-eight says her weight spiralled out of control after years of emotional-eating chocolates and sweets. Knowing her sugary diet wasn't helping with her condition, she embarked on a 'caveman diet.'
This new lifestyle involved the determined gran to consume only 'natural' foods such as fresh vegetables and high protein meats with little fat. Within six months Dee had lost six stone without even setting foot in a gym.
After a year, she was 12 stone down and joined her local fitness centre where she found a passion for classes and working out. Now a trim size 10-12 and weighing 11st 11lbs, Dee lost a whopping 18st and 'feels like a new woman.'
Single Dee, a mental health peer recovery worker from Willenhall, West Midlands said: "My weight got out of control. At first, I wasn't dieting to lose weight, I just wanted to feel better and to help ease the symptoms of my health conditions.
"But the pounds quickly fell off and it gave me the motivation to keep going. I started going to the gym and fell in love with working out.
"Then I tried my hand at bodybuilding and absolutely loved it. Now I've lost 18st, I feel like a completely different person.
"I have so much more energy. I'm so much happier and it's completely changed my life.
“I did a lot of classes to start with, but when I started working with a personal trainer, I developed a passion for weights.
"He introduced me to weight-lifting and that was the start of my bodybuilding journey. I’ve done a couple of dance competitions to raise money for charity and I’m competing in a bodybuilding competition in November in High Wycombe.
"I’m in the transformation class, so it’s all about the journey. They will show a ‘before’ picture before I come out on stage.
"It’s about showcasing the way you’ve built your body. I’m petrified but really excited!
"I’ve always had body image issues but this is all part of my recovery. It’s so far out of my comfort zone, I’ll be out in a tiny bikini with all my scars and loose skin on show, but I hope that it will inspire others.”
Dee's weight problems left her struggling with several health conditions including type two diabetes. She was on 20 different types of medication for her physical and mental health.
Her old diet consisted of processed food and hearty family meals such as pastas or pizzas. She hadn't exercised in years and was barely able to move without the aid of a walking frame.
She said: "My lack of mobility was so limiting. I was in pain all the time.
"I thought I was happy. But I look back now and I realise I was depressed and in pain.
"My life was very limited and I was very dependent on people, which was hard as I’m very independent. It was embarrassing for me."
In 2016, Dee realised she had to make a change to avoid eating herself to an early grave. After Googling fibromyalgia she found that processed foods, additives and preservatives may have exacerbated her symptoms.
Dee decided to cut out these foods and opted to follow a 'caveman diet' which involved only eating natural foods, including eggs and vegetables. She said: "My new diet was very basic and that made it easier to stick to.
"I didn’t have to think because I’d limited my choices. The more choices you have, the more slip-ups you’ll have.
"I’ve continued with the meal planning now and will freeze batches of food so that it’s easy for myself. I didn’t notice the weight loss at first, but when I hit six stone down, I realised that it was working and I might as well keep going.
"People were noticing the difference and I was feeling more mobile and healthier. I realised that a different life really was achievable. "
Within six months, Dee lost six stone and in one year she had lost an incredible 12 stone. The confidence that Dee gained from losing weight inspired her to join a gym, where she found a new passion for working out.
Dee said: "I started with an induction at the gym, and he talked me through the equipment and rules of the gym. My go-to was the bike at first, and then I was shown how to use weights.
"I remember looking around and thinking 'I don’t belong' I was so worried that people were judging me. But they really weren’t and I soon found my groove.
"My family would say that I’m now obsessed with the gym, but I just love working out and setting myself new goals and challenges to strive towards.
“It’s been so beneficial to my mental health. I have also seen such dramatic changes to my appearance that I barely recognise myself.
“My personal trainer, Josh Bothwell, has helped me more than I could ever say, and the friends I’ve made at Warriors World gym in Coventry have been integral to my journey.” Dee’s newfound love for the gym quickly yielded results and she can now leg press 335kg, deadlift 80kg and bench press 46kg.
She is now being coached by Lisa Morrison, a UKUP/WUP pro athlete. She also trains at Simply Gym, Earl Place, Coventry.
Dee said: “My son, Will, 33, told me that he feared he would soon have to tell his children, my grandchildren, that I had died - that’s how bad my health had got. My body was collapsing because I was obese and once I lost the weight, I wasn’t in pain anymore.
“I remember about a year into my journey, I was playing tag with my eldest granddaughter. She turned around and said 'Nanny, I didn’t know that you can run.’
“And it’s moments like that, that make it all worthwhile. Losing weight can be incredibly difficult, but I remember why I’m doing it and it keeps me motivated."
"Bodybuilding has changed my life and I don’t use that phrase lightly. I now look at myself with pride.
“I’ve gone from hating my reflection to really liking the person looking back at me. I finally feel proud of my body.”
"I had to make dramatic changes to my lifestyle and undergo two surgeries to get rid of two stone of excess skin that I had after I lost a lot of weight very quickly. It’s been a really challenging and emotional journey but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
“I’m taking back the years that were stolen from me and owning my future.”
Dee's diet before her weight loss
- Breakfast - Cereal or toast
- Lunch - Graze through the day on sandwiches, cakes, or whatever was convenient
- Dinner - Hearty family meal like rich cheesy pasta or pizzas
- Snacks - Evening snacks of crisps, biscuits, cakes
- Drinks - Loads of creamy coffee, hot chocolate
Dee's diet now that led to her weight loss
- Breakfast - Protein smoothie, egg white omelette with chicken or fish
- Lunch - Green salad with chicken sausage, yogurt
- Dinner - Turkey bolognese
- Snacks - Cereal bar, rice cakes
- Drinks - Black coffee, lots of water, protein powder in water (like squash)
