A beauty queen who was cruelly dumped for being 'too fat' has revealed how she shed nine stone through diet changes alone - and branded the 'trend' for weight loss jabs as 'absolutely crazy'.
Six years after winning Miss Great Britain, Jen Atkin, 32, has now been crowned Mrs UK - and is preparing to represent the country on the international stage.
The admin worker and country singer from Lincolnshire began her weight loss journey in 2017 after a relationship breakdown left her determined to overhaul her lifestyle.
At her heaviest, she weighed nearly 18 stone and wore a size 22.
Within two years, she had dropped to nine stone five pounds, eventually stabilising at just under nine stone.
Now she plays football, runs regularly and completes high intensity workouts at home - swapping beef chow mein and sweet and sour chicken for home-cooked meals and structured training.
Crucially, she says she achieved her transformation without turning to GLP-1 injections such as Ozempic or Wegovy.
'I think the weight loss jab trend has gone absolutely crazy,' she says.
While she accepts the drugs can be a 'good quick fix' for some, she worries about long-term reliance.
'It upsets me that there are a lot of young people using them and women feeling like they have to use them,' she says.
Her comments come as an estimated 2.4 million people in the UK are now taking weight-loss medications.
Severe NHS rationing means most patients are forced to buy them privately, with NHS England rolling out the once-weekly injections in phases over 12 years and just 220,000 patients prioritised in the first three years.
Despite her strict routine, Mrs Atkin insists her lifestyle is sustainable.
'I still love food and I love a drink as well - and I've managed to keep the weight off. Consistency is absolutely key,' she says.
'A lot of people don't want to put the effort in, which is a shame because it's such an amazing feeling losing the weight.'
'Once people come off the jabs, the weight might go back on and then they're back to square one. People want a quick fix.'
She also believes personal responsibility plays a role in easing pressure on the health service.
'Obesity has been such an issue for such a long time and it costs the NHS a lot of money,' she says.
'If we can become a nation that is healthier and doesn't carry as much weight, we can get to a point where the NHS isn't overwhelmed.'
'People don't help themselves.'
Mrs Atkin is now 'really excited' to represent the UK at Mrs World in Las Vegas.
Her twin brother, Sam Atkin - a Team GB Olympic distance runner who lives in the United States - is expected to be in the audience.
'We're constantly fighting to be in the limelight,' she joked.
Offering advice to others hoping to slim down, she says setting realistic goals and building gradual habits is key.
'It's so important not to go from zero to 100,' she says. 'If you do too much too soon, you send your body into meltdown.'
'It's easier if you do active things with other people. Football has become a big part of my social life. There are running clubs, netball - loads of things you can do.'
Looking back at her progress, she says:
'When I see old pictures, I feel so proud because I know that I did it myself.'
'I want to be that example that people can say, "If she's lost nine stone without drugs, I can do it too."'
JEN'S DIET BEFORE LOSING WEIGHT
- Breakfast: Bacon roll and hot chocolate
- Lunch: Double portion of tuna pasta salad
- Dinner: Chinese takeaway beef chow mein, sweet and sour chicken and chips
- Snacks: Kitkat Chunky, cheese strings, crisps
JEN'S DIET NOW
- Breakfast: Bowl of protein porridge or smoothie
- Lunch: Tuna/avocado salad or caesar salad
- Dinner: Beef stir-fry with hoisin sauce
- Dessert: Diet hot chocolate with mini marshmallows