Gail Porter’s very public display in 1999 showed how confident she was with her sexy image. But after giving birth to her and Ex-husband Dan Hipgrave’s daughter Honey in 2002, the TV personality felt severely insecure about her body.
“I put on nearly 4st and felt enormous,” says 5ft 4 Gail, candidly. Despite losing 3st in the four months after giving birth, she found the rest of her excess weight impossible to budge.
So back in 2004, Gail, then 33, enlisted the help of Closer’s diet and fitness team and lost that stubborn stone going from a size 12 to a size 8 to10. After suffering from anorexia for ten years, Gail lost the excess weight safely with a sensible diet plan devised by our experts.
'I put on nearly 4st and felt enormous'
In an interview given shortly after her amazing body transformation, Gail talks about her Closer dieting experience:
How do you feel about your weight after having Honey?
Awful. I hated the effect pregnancy had on my body. My boobs ballooned, I had water retention and my stomach was saggy. I went from 71/2st to 111/2st.
Why did you stop losing weight after 3st?
Unfortunately, most of the weight loss was water and my breasts shrinking after breastfeeding. Although I ate low-fat foods, I’d eat at odd times – I’d forget to have dinner, then get up in the middle of the night to eat! I also started drinking wine with my dinner and my biggest weakness was a huge white baguette covered in Marmite.
I also got stuck in an exercise rut. I was doing daily cardio work, but I didn'tpush myself.
So when was the turning point?
This summer, my thyroid stabilised, so my body could finally respond to diets. Dan was leaving for America for a couple of months with his new band and, before he went, he begged me to dress more sexily. I went out and bought a pair of size 8 Nicole Farhi hipsters. I couldn’t fit into them, but I made a vow that next time I saw Dan, I’d be able to wear them and I’d look fantastic.
What was the diet like?
I enjoyed it. I cut out bread and wine but actually ate more because I increased my fruit and vegetable intake and ate lots of fish and chicken. Also, my eating times were so erratic before the diet – I’d have breakfast at midday, lunch at five and dinner at midnight! Sitting down at normal meal times, instead of scoffing food on the run, was enjoyable.
'I lost 3lbs in the first week and that was enough to keep me motivated'
Were you ever tempted to give in?
No. As soon as I stopped eating bread, I felt less bloated. Instead of drinking wine with my meal, I treated myself to a couple of vodka and Diet Cokes at the weekend. I lost 3lbs in the first week and that was enough to keep me motivated.
Was the exercise routine difficult?
Yes! My trainer made me push myself for the first time in years. Interval training exhausted me, but my muscles felt more toned within a couple of weeks so I knew it was working and would be worth it.
What does Dan think of your transformation?
He hasn’t seen me yet as he’s still away with the band in America, but he does know how much happier I am now I’m thinner. I’m finally going to see him next week - I can’t wait to show him the end result. I’m sure he’ll be pleased!