Josie used to order food from the likes of McDonald’s four times a day – and then hid the packaging in her car
Josie Varela, 33, has undergone a dramatic transformation, losing an astounding 10 stone after being spurred on by a break up to sculpt a “revenge body”. Bullied for her weight since school and facing constant rejection in her adult life, Josie turned to comfort eating to deal with the pain, often consuming fast food from McDonald’s and Taco Bell up to four times daily, stashing the evidence away in her car.
Tipping the scales at 22st 12lbs and wearing a size XXXXL in January 2018, she found herself single and initially sought to craft a “revenge bod”, but her journey soon became about her own health and well-being. Now, at a svelte 12st 7lbs and fitting comfortably into a medium, Josie not only achieved her fitness goals but also found happiness with Elias Jimenez, 31, tying the knot in October 2023.
Josie, now a weight loss coach, said: “I grew up being called ‘the fat kid’ and I was the last one to get picked for sports teams. I would use food as a comfort mechanism while in my relationship – it was like my drug.
“So after my relationship I was heartbroken and started my weight loss journey. At the start it was ‘revenge body’ motivated, but I realised I needed to get healthy.
“I would go to the gym every day to gain muscle then started going for runs and cycling when Covid hit – I trained really hard and hit my lowest weight of 11st 1lbs. Now I’m 12st 7lbs, but I’ve found a good medium – I enjoy being active, I’m healthy and I eat the food I enjoy.”
Josie grew up in a Mexican household where she said “food was everything” and would enjoy big portions of foods rich in carbs and fats. She got bullied to the point she became “numb to humiliation and embarrassment”.
She said: “My diet was trash – I’d snack all day. In the clubs or bars nobody wanted to take me to dance, or a guy would buy my friends drinks and not me.
“If I would go on blind dates I would see the look of disappointment on the guy’s face as soon as I arrived. Fast food became a staple in my life. The McDonald’s workers knew my name and order without me telling them.”
In January 2018 she began exercising and overhauled her diet – exercising outdoors when gyms shut due to the pandemic. She met her now-husband Elias, a carpenter, who supported her through her transformation.
Josie, from Los Angeles, California, said: “At that time I was focused on myself, I wasn’t worried about finding a man. But we connected so well.”
In 2021, she hit her lowest weight 11st 1lbs – meaning she had roughly halved her body weight. She became a weight loss coach as soon as gyms opened again, to help others.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud, but I do mourn a lot for the woman I was and for what I went through. It’s been a wild ride, and sometimes I forget what I’ve accomplished until I get other women message me saying I’ve inspired them.
“It’s deeper than just weight loss, it’s a self-love journey. It’s not about the number on the scale, how many carbs you eat, or how many times you go to the gym. It’s about putting yourself and your health first.”
Josie’s diet before
Breakfast: Two sausage McMuffins, two hash browns, large coffee, and cookies
Lunch: Two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, coke
Dinner: Mexican beans, fries and six tortillas
Snacks: Ice cream, crisps, sweets, cookies
Josie’s diet now
Breakfast: Avocado, poached eggs and asparagus
Lunch: Turkey, mushrooms, broccoli and a rice cake, or a salad or veggie sandwich
Dinner: Grilled chicken, brown rice, grilled squash and greens
Snacks: Dried fruit, almonds, Greek yoghurt
