I used to be 23 stone however a break-up motivated me to get a revenge physique

A woman who weighed nearly 23 stone is unrecognisable after a devastating break-up motivated her to get the perfect ‘revenge body’.

Josie Varela, 33, from Los Angeles, California, was bullied her whole life because of her size. She was called names at school and was the last to be picked for sports teams.

In her adulthood, she said she was rejected by men on dates and her friends were asked to dance at nightclubs while she was left on the sidelines.

While in an unhappy relationship, Josie’s coping mechanism was to comfort eat – ordering McDonald’s and Taco Bell four times a day and shamefully hiding the wrappers in her car.

At her heaviest in January 2018, Josie weighed 22st 12lbs and wore a size XXXXL but after being dumped, she was finally motivated to get a ‘revenge body’ and make her ex jealous.

Josie Varela, 33, from Los Angeles, California would order McDonald’s and Taco Bell four times a day to the point where fast food workers knew her on a first name basis

At her heaviest in January 2018, Josie weighed 22st 12lbs and wore a size XXXXL 

Today she weighs 12st 7lbs, slips into a size medium and found new love with Elias Jimenez, 31, whom she married in October last year.

Josie, who now works as 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. 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 ‘food was everything’ and she would enjoy big portions of foods rich in carbs and fats.

She got bullied to the point she became ‘numb to humiliation and embarrassment’, as she explained: ‘My diet was trash – I’d snack all day.

Josie said she was called ‘the fat kid’ at school and rejected by men on dates due to her size

She said she used food as a coping mechanism during a previous unhappy relationship

After weighing almost 23 stone before her weight loss journey (left), Jodie now weighs 12st 7lbs (right) and said she has found a ‘good medium’

‘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 also met her now-husband Elias, a carpenter, who supported her through her transformation.

Josie said: ‘At that time I was focused on myself, I wasn’t worried about finding a man. But we connected so well.’

In January 2018, Jodie (pictured) began exercising and overhauled her diet – exercising outdoors when gyms shut due to the pandemic

Josie now works as a weight loss coach, inspiring others to embark on a ‘self-love journey’

When covid hit, Josie would go for runs and cycle in order to gain muscle. She said: I enjoy being active, I’m healthy and I eat the food I enjoy’

Josie with her father after she lost 10 stone during the pandemic

In 2021, she hit her lowest weight 11st 1lbs – meaning she had roughly halved her body weight.

Josie 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.’