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BREAKING THE CYCLE

‘When I saw cave-diving pic I was shocked at how big I looked’: Holiday snap spurred Carli Jay on to lose 10 stone

Her TV fitness regime started with just 15 minutes of cycling in front of the telly and snacking on carrots instead of cake

REFORMED pizza addict Carli Jay is the inventor of the most unlikely fitness regime ever – the box-set diet.

And she is living proof that bingeing on telly instead of takeaways — and pedalling on an exercise bike rather than flopping on the sofa — works.

 Carli began her regime by cycling an exercise bike watching box sets and eating healthy
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Carli began her regime by cycling an exercise bike watching box sets and eating healthyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 She dramatically dropped from a size 24 to a toned size ten
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She dramatically dropped from a size 24 to a toned size tenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

She says: “After four months I lost 4st, just in my living room in front of the television.”

Carli, 30, who had hit 20st, first realised she had to do something about her weight when she saw snaps of herself cave-diving in Mexico.

She went on to lose HALF her body weight and dropped from a size 24 to a toned size ten.

Amazingly, her TV fitness routine began with just 15 minutes of pedalling in front of the telly on the dusty bike she had dragged out of storage — but she saw instant results.

 Mex appeal ... Carli saw a pic of her cave-diving and knew it was sink or slim
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Mex appeal ... Carli saw a pic of her cave-diving and knew it was sink or slim
 She says she did not realise she had gained so much weight until she saw holiday snaps of herself
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She says she did not realise she had gained so much weight until she saw holiday snaps of herself

The recruiter says of that first session: “I was exhausted, but it felt so good afterwards.

“It was the motivation I needed.”

Carli, of Weybridge, Surrey, had struggled with her weight since school and had to wear adult sizes as a child.

She recalls: “As a teenager I was one of the biggest girls in school, even though I was quite active and enjoyed sport and long walks at the weekends.

“It was when I started working as a recruiter at a desk all day that things really started to escalate.”

Instead of eating a whole pizza I’d have half

 The recruiter admits to snacking constantly at her desk in work and then eat huge portions for lunch and dinner
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The recruiter admits to snacking constantly at her desk in work and then eat huge portions for lunch and dinner

Single Carli worked 12-hour days, sitting at her desk or in a car.

She says: “I didn’t think twice about what I was eating. My portion sizes were out of control.

“I didn’t have a concept of feeling full so I would just graze all day.

“At work I’d snack on Jaffa cakes, sweets, lollies, then eat lunch and snack until dinner.

“I’d have two desserts at night and smoke a pack of cigarettes a week.

“I put on 4st in four years.”

 She gained four stone in four years and felt unhappy with her size
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She gained four stone in four years and felt unhappy with her size
 As her weight increased simple tasks became more difficult
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As her weight increased simple tasks became more difficult

Soon even the simplest tasks began to overwhelm her.

She says: “My knees would ache and I was constantly out of breath. Even walking up stairs was daunting.”

But the first time she seriously worried about her health was in August 2013, on her holiday to Mexico with a friend.

At 20st, 5ft 3in Carli realised she was not fit enough to enjoy fun activities — and was also horrified by how she looked in a swimsuit.

 After her Mexico trip she fell back into old habits but decided to lose weight after her health began to suffer
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After her Mexico trip she fell back into old habits but decided to lose weight after her health began to suffer

She says: “I had no idea I had packed on all this weight.

“I was really excited to try cave diving but I really struggled and it made me realise how much I missed having an active lifestyle.

“I was shocked at how big I looked in my swimsuit and vowed I’d make changes once I was home.”

Instead, Carli fell straight into her old unhealthy ways.

She says: “It was nine months later when I woke up with no feeling in my side that I realised how serious my weight was.

“I was so heavy I’d trapped a nerve, making an entire side of my body go numb — it was terrifying. That evening something switched in me.”

 Carli began her fitness regime cycling in her living room and lost four stone in four months before hitting the gym
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Carli began her fitness regime cycling in her living room and lost four stone in four months before hitting the gym
 She became more confident during workouts and began to see results very quickly
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She became more confident during workouts and began to see results very quickly

The very next day Carli dug out the old bike, set it up in front of the TV, switched on a box-set and started pedalling.

She felt so good after her initial 15 minutes that she immediately vowed to improve her diet as well.

She says: “I started making little changes. So instead of eating a whole pizza I’d have half of one with a salad.

“And instead of snacking on cakes, I’d have carrots.

“In the first month I lost a stone from just eating healthily and exercising a bit every day.”

 Transformation ... Carli is now half her body weight and seven dresses sizes smaller
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Transformation ... Carli is now half her body weight and seven dresses sizes smaller
 She was offered a personal trainer at the gym but refused
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She was offered a personal trainer at the gym but refusedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 She wanted to be able to say she lost the weight all by herself
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She wanted to be able to say she lost the weight all by herselfCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

After four months she decided to take the next step and move out of her living room, having lost 4st.

She says: “That gave me the courage I needed to join the gym.

“I was offered a personal trainer but refused — I wanted my weight loss journey to be down to me.

“I set myself a goal to lose half my body weight and I have now done it, all by myself.”

DIET BEFORE

BREAKFAST: Sugary cereal, yoghurt, fruit and juice

LUNCH: Pasta, crisps
DINNER: Whole pizza, salad, cake, ice cream
SNACKS: Half a pack of biscuits

DIET AFTER

BREAKFAST: Oatmeal with yoghurt and berries

LUNCH: Salmon, veg, green tea and sugar-free jelly
DINNER: Turkey, veg
SNACKS: Celery sticks with peanut butter, peas

 Carli is delighted with her new look and and hopes to inspire others through instagram
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Carli is delighted with her new look and and hopes to inspire others through instagram
 She can now enjoy a more active lifestyle again
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She can now enjoy a more active lifestyle again

Soon she was at the gym every day and earlier this year reached her goal by losing 10st.

Now Carli inspires others through her Instagram account where she regularly posts before and after pictures, as well as gym shots.

 Red hot ... Carli is proud of her achievements and looks fabulous after her weight loss
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Red hot ... Carli is proud of her achievements and looks fabulous after her weight lossCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

She says: “When I look in the mirror or hold up a pair of size ten trousers I have to remind myself that it’s me who fits into them. I never thought I could call myself a health and fitness fan.

“The other day I walked past a mirror in the gym and did a double take. I was so shocked that it was me.

“I’m so proud of what I’ve done and I really hope my story can inspire anyone else who has fallen into a bad cycle and thinks they can’t get out.

“If I did it, you can too and when you do I promise that you’ll feel amazing.”

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