‘Food addict’ mum, 36, reveals simple way she shed staggering 12st WITHOUT spending £££s on fat jabs or weight-loss ops
TIPPING the scales at 20 stone and squeezing herself into a size 22, self-confessed food addict Claire Bierton was once beset with health problems.
But now the 36-year-old has transformed into a size 8 bodybuilding competitor who looks so different she has to defend herself against accusations she's flewn to Turkey for weight-loss surgery.
And she says she "did it all myself through hard work".
At the height of her problem, Claire struggled with depression and low self-esteem, as well as gastrointestinal problems, fibromyalgia and difficulty walking.
The self-confessed spent £70 on three Chinese takeaways a week, even tucking into the leftovers for breakfast.
Her weight spiralled out of control after having children and she turned to food as a comfort.
“My diet was terrible - I’m surprised I didn’t have diabetes,” she tells Sun Health.
“My local Chinese knew my order, I would over order so that I’d have enough for dinner and then breakfast the next day.
“I was so unhappy and became really ill, and I knew I needed to change, for the sake of my kids.”
It was during the Covid lockdown in 2020 that Claire, from Hatfield, Herts, says she “reached breaking point”.
Since losing weight, other mums at the school gate ask if she resorted to weight-loss surgery.
Claire, who is launching her own online coaching business, has slimmed down to a slender 10st 7lb and now wears a size 8-10.
“It was like a switch, one day I just decided that I had to change,” she says.
“It was hard, but it’s changed my life.
“It makes me emotional to think about how far I’ve come.”
'Out of control' eating
Growing up, Claire says she “never had issues” with food, but noticed the weight piling on after having her four kids, now aged 16, 15, 11 and nine.
She would indulge in weekly takeaways and cook herself a full English fry-up every morning “without fail”.
She would even wake-up in the middle of the night to binge on chocolate and crisps - calling her eating habits "out of control".
Claire said: "The weight piled on and I barely recognised myself.
"I felt unhappy in my relationship and turned to food for comfort.
"My joints were agony and I could barely walk around."
'I was in so much pain'
In December 2019, Claire ended up in hospital after suffering diarrhoea and extreme stomach pain.
Medics at Lister Hospital, Herts, grew concerned that the mum might have bowel disease.
But, doctors soon determined that her symptoms had been caused by her “poor diet”.
“I couldn’t stop going to the toilet and became so dehydrated I thought I was going to pass out,” says Claire.
“I was in so much pain and had to go to hospital, and I thought I might not see my kids again.”
Determined to change, for the sake of her children, Claire turned to exercise.
She bought an exercise bike and started to do YouTube workouts five times a week.
And she downloaded a fitness app to help her calculate the macronutrients she needed in her diet every day to lose weight.
“It was lockdown and all the gyms were closed, so I found a cheap exercise bike on eBay and started doing home workouts,” she says.
“I’d get up early before homeschooling the kids to do a workout.
“I knew that if I was going to lose weight, I’d also need to tone up the excess skin, so I ordered some weights and added them into my routine.”
'I made a lot of sacrifices'
Once restrictions were lifted, the mum-of-four joined her local gym where she caught the exercise bug, and she now even competes as a bodybuilder.
Claire beat the bulge by turning her addiction to food into an addiction to exercise and healthy eating.
Claire adds: "If there's any stress in my life, I go to the gym and it gives me peace.
"Some people said I was obsessed, and I lost friends because my whole lifestyle changed.
"I had to make a lot of sacrifices.
"But I've made lots of new friends at the gym and I've never felt better."
Four top tips to build healthy habits like Claire...
IF you, like so many of us, don't know where to start when it comes to diet and exercise, PT Will Duru is here to help.
Here, the London-based trainer and , shares his three top tips for building healthy habits.
TIP #1: Mindful eating
WE'RE all guilty of picking the easy option, the path of least resistance and who can blame us, life us busy!
But, says there are things you can do to make those easy options healthier.
"Portion control is key", he says. "On average, we need 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day to function well, so having a sense of your daily needs can help you overeat.
"Stress often leads to mindless snacking, so it’s wise to keep healthy options within reach.
"Try gluten- and lactose-free protein bars; they’re a great way to add protein to your diet without too many extra calories.
"Fruit salads are also fantastic, providing natural sugars that fuel your brain without the crash of sugary sweets.
"Herbal teas are another excellent option, offering a hint of sweetness while helping you stay hydrated."
TIP #2: Get stronger
IF you can find the time, and extra cash, joining a gym will make a huge difference, Will says.
"Adding strength training to your routine doesn't have to be scary," he says.
"You don't have to head straight for the weights room, try out a few classes instead - they can be a really enjoyable and effective way to get stronger."
Will recommends focusing on:
- Body Pump: "This is a fantastic class for building overall body strength and muscular endurance.
" With high reps and multiple sets, you’ll feel it in your legs the next day.
"As you progress, you’ll reach a point where you can handle more weight, boosting your strength and stamina." - Pilates: "If you’re desk-bound or spend hours at a screen, Pilates is a must.
"It targets your core and stabilising muscles, improving posture and helping you stand tall.
"It’s especially beneficial for counteracting the effects of prolonged sitting." - Body Combat: "After a long day, this class lets you release stress by kicking and punching while burning serious calories.
"It’s high-energy and fun, helping you unwind while staying active." - HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): "Combining cardio and strength, HIIT is perfect for getting your heart rate up and conditioning muscles.
"A 45-minute HIIT class will leave you feeling energised and ready for a restful night’s sleep.
"Pick one or two classes that excite you and add them to your weekly schedule.
"Give yourself a day or two to rest between classes and trust in the process.
"Over time, you’ll see improvements in strength, endurance, and overall fitness."
And if time and money are tight, have a search on YouTube for these types of exercises, to do in the comfort of your own home.
TIP #3: Drink in moderation
WE all need a treat now and then, so if you enjoy a drink just try to set yourself a limit - say one or two glasses of wine or pints a week.
But don't be too hard on yourself if you do end up having more, Will says.
"If you do go over your limit, just balance it out with a healthy challenge that week, like a 45-minute hill walk on the treadmill," he adds.
"This low-impact exercise can burn around 500 calories or more,
and it’s a great way to stay active while enjoying a podcast or music without feeling out of breath.
"Alternatively, try 250 body weight squats. Your legs will feel the burn after the first 100, but reaching 250 will help counteract those extra calories.
"Body weight squats engage your entire lower body, activating the largest muscles, which can increase calorie burn even at rest.
"These mindful approaches keep you aware of your intake while balancing indulgences with activity—a healthy habit to maintain long-term balance."
TIP #4: Consistency is KEY
THESE small but mighty changes to your weekly routine will reap big rewards, but the key is to stick at it, Will says.
"Consistency is key," he stresses. "Give yourself a minimum of 30 days to start seeing changes.
"To make these habits stick, keep them realistic and enjoyable.
"Track your progress, celebrate small wins, and remember that each positive choice is an investment in your long-term health."
Setting a good example
Claire has competed in eight bodybuilding competitions and is currently training for the PCA show in Watford in October 2025.
She is also using her experience to launch her new online coaching business Coached by Claire.
Claire said: "My eldest daughter came to my first show, and it was really emotional to have her there.
"She's seen me go through a lot, not just the weight loss.
"I want to set a good example to my kids - we have better food in the house and they're learning healthy eating habits.
"I've been studying nutrition and I'm going to be launching my own coaching business soon.
"I've met so many inspiring women, and now I want to use my story to help others."
