Clitheroe woman loses 15 stone thanks to Blackburn gym

Johanna Chambers, from Clitheroe, weighed around 26 stone before she started taking her health and weight loss seriously five years ago.

She attended The FitMill, a gym and group training facility in Blackburn, where she met Nick Talbot, a personal trainer and co-owner of the business.

She said: “I was approaching my 50th birthday and I knew I had to do something. I had been overweight since primary school.

“I plucked up the courage to enter The FitMill, after watching people in the car park for two weeks before even entering. I have never looked back."

In around two years she has managed to lose around 15 stone.

Johanna Chambers before losing around 15 stone (Image: Johanna Chambers)

Johanna says her “weight loss adventure” has been far from smooth.

She said: “I have days where I feel strong and feel mentally better but it can still be a battle.

"There is a lot of emotional trauma there because I am someone who has been overweight for more than 40 years of my life.

“It’s a massive adventure and I feel so many emotions. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn't for Nick and the whole community at FitMill.

“It’s a really community-based gym that is so friendly. The whole ethos is around mental and physical wellbeing.”

Johanna Chambers lost 15 stone in around two years (Image: Johanna Chambers)

Johanna has even become a personal trainer at the gym, inspiring other members to become the best versions of themselves.

“Nick was always on at me telling me to become a personal trainer,” she said.

“I didn’t understand why he was pushing me to do it but I know what it’s like to be a bigger woman stepping into the gym.

“I know the anxieties and worries and I get what they’re thinking.”

Johanna said a good mindset, diet and support network are the secret to losing weight. 

She said: “You need a good support network, whether that is a friend, partner or group of like-minded people in the gym.

“There are going to be days when it's going to be tough and you need someone to tell you ‘you’ve got this’.

Johanna Chambers (right) with her daughter (Image: Johanna Chambers)

“Diet is important too. We looked at my diet and how I was snacking.

"When my healthier lifestyle kicked in my half-an-hour shopping trip doubled in time because of reading the backs of labels. It's only then you realise how bad some food items are for you.

“It’s a massive lifestyle change but mine has been slow. You have to take little steps instead of restricting everything at once, as you will start craving things then and fail.

"Those little steps become bigger steps and then suddenly you will realise you haven’t had crisps for a month, for example.

Johanna Chambers (left) taking part in exercise challenge, Born to Survive, with The FitMill co-owner Nick Talbot (Image: Johanna Chambers)

“Your target might be to drink two litres of water a day instead of restricting.

“You need to ask yourself why you’re doing this because if you have a strong enough ‘why’  you’re more likely to succeed.”