Once taunted for her weight and cruelly nicknamed a “whale” by classmates, 20-year-old Jessica Turner has completely transformed her life—and her body.
The law student from Caterham, Surrey, went from a size 18 to a slim size six, shedding more than 8 stone (a total of 52kg) using nothing but home workouts and a nutrition overhaul during the Covid lockdown.
Jessica, who now weighs 8st 2lbs, says her weight struggles began early in life. Standing at 5ft 3in, she admits she had always been “chubby,” but her eating habits worsened in secondary school, when she used junk food as a coping mechanism for low self-esteem and anxiety. With no physical activity in her routine, her weight eventually peaked at 16st 5lbs.
How she shed the weight
“The bullying really affected me,” Jessica says. “I was called slow, laughed at, and once even called a whale. I never felt attractive or confident, and I didn’t like going out. I used food as comfort.”
But when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down schools and social life in 2020, 15-year-old Jessica saw an opportunity to take control of her health.
“I thought, ‘I’ve got all this time—I might as well use it to better myself,’” she explains.
Jessica began following YouTube workouts by popular fitness influencers Joe Wicks and Chloe Ting, exercising daily in her living room. She also ditched the takeaways and processed snacks, replacing them with protein-rich meals that kept her full and energized.
“I fell in love with the process. Once you start seeing results, it becomes addictive—in a good way,” she says.
Her commitment paid off. Jessica lost more than half her body weight, and the transformation has done more than just boost her physical health—it’s changed her entire outlook and opened new doors.
Now a confident young woman, Jessica is studying law at the University of Exeter, a prestigious Russell Group university. She also shares her journey as a fitness influencer, hoping to inspire others struggling with body image and self-worth.
“My confidence has grown so much, mentally and physically. If I hadn’t gone through this journey, I honestly don’t think I’d be at university today,” she says.
But the shift in how people treat her has also been eye-opening.
“When I was bigger, people didn’t respect me. I’d walk into a room and be invisible. Now, strangers hold the door open for me. Guys who used to ignore or mock me in school are suddenly trying to message me on Instagram,” she reveals. “I don’t respond. I still remember how they treated me.”
Although she hasn’t been in a long-term relationship yet, Jessica says she’s focused on her future and career—and not looking for validation from others.
“I’m very career-driven right now, and that’s my priority. But the fact that people treat me so differently now says a lot about how society views women’s bodies.”
A new relationship with food
Her relationship with food has also evolved. She no longer fears eating, but she makes smart, balanced choices—emphasizing that weight loss doesn’t require starving yourself.
“I used to eat pizza and fast food all the time,” she says. “Now I focus on protein and whole foods. But I tell people: don’t be scared of eating. Fueling your body is part of the journey.”
Jessica’s message to others is clear: “You can do anything if you’re willing to change. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about choosing yourself every single day.”