Michelle McManus revealed the truth behind her drastic nine-stone weight loss on Good Morning Britain.
The Pop Idol champion, 44, shut down rumours of using the controversial weight loss drug Ozempic or having surgery.
She told Rob Rinder, 46, and Kate Garraway, 57, the key to her success after failed diets over the years has been a life coach and weight training.
Michelle McManus’ secret to her nine-stone weight loss
The Scot said: “I started to try and lose weight. All these diets I hear are amazing. But the more I was trying to lose weight, the more I was gaining weight.
“I was looking at myself in the mirror and I should be thinking, ‘This body has given you two kids.’ But I was really miserable.
“It isn’t about what the scales say. It’s not about the label that’s on your clothing, it’s finding that moment where you can look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I really like you.’”
The mum – who has sons Harry, four, and Nicholas, two, – met life coach Liza Hardingbuck, and they devised a plan and began weight training and swimming – with her now losing nine stone.
BBC Radio Scotland’s afternoon presenter did not know of her big transformation until she wanted to get a new photo for her BBC staff card.
GMB today
She had considered surgery but the fear about the side effects and going under the knife put her off.
The 44-year-old turned to a calorie deficit diet instead. This involves consuming fewer calories than your body burns.
I started weight training, I started swimming.
Michelle added: “I looked into surgery, but that really heightened my anxiety because what if I was to die? Then I revisited calorie deficit.
“I started weight training, I started swimming. Totally changed my relationship with food and then slowly but surely… I actually lost the weight a while ago.
“Then I was getting new pictures for my lanyard for the BBC and they showed me my old picture and I don’t think I realised how far I’d come.”
Michelle said she then decided to “put myself back out there” on social media.
She’s looking fab!
Read more: Pop Idol star Michelle McManus gives birth to second baby
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