Unique: James and Ola Jordan’s amazing 6 stone weight-loss change exposed

January 02, 2023 – 11:42 GMT

Sophie Hamilton

Previous Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan display their weight-loss change– see their prior to and after pictures here

HELLO!‘s star writers James and Ola Jordan of Strictly Come Dancing popularity have actually stunned fans by losing a big 6 stone in weight in between them and Ola dropping 4 gown sizes.

MORE: James Jordan reveals better half Ola in a ‘small little number’ following amazing body change

Ola, 40, and James, 44, had actually formerly shared their body problems with us, detailing their joint battles to keep trim after inviting their child Ella, age 2. Their turning point followed Ola shared a vacation swimming pool picture and opened about their weight fight.

Over the previous 5 months, the expert dancers have actually totally altered their way of lives, working out in your home 5 days a week with their brand-new physical fitness program, Dance Shred, and embracing a healthy consuming strategy.

James’s weight has actually dropped from 15 Stone 6 pounds to 12 Stone 7 pounds, with his waist size going from a size 36 to a 30 or 32– that’s a six-inch loss off his waist alone.

Ola has actually lost 3 Stone 6 pounds, dropping from 11 Stone 9 pounds to 8 Stone 3 pounds. Formerly a size 14, she is now a size 6 and has actually lost 7 inches off her waist. In the very first 2 weeks, they lost nearly 2 stone in between them!

James and Ola now Picture by David Venni

Listed below, the couple talk with us about precisely how they accomplished their body changes, why they wished to reduce weight and how they feel now.

James and Ola, you look amazing therefore lots of moms and dads will associate with your story. Inform us when you stopped working out and why …

James: It simply sort of taken place. We weren’t on Strictly any longer, we weren’t training like we utilized to and the pounds gradually began beginning.

Ola: You unwind a bit, do not you? I place on a great deal of weight throughout pregnancy and it was tough to drop it later on. Then we had the lockdowns …

James: I certainly began convenience consuming, particularly when I stopped smoking at the end of 2019– I changed cigarette smoking with sugary foods and chocolate and crisps. I would state over about a four-year duration, we began placing on a great deal of weight. We unexpectedly went, ‘What the hell do we appear like?’ I was almost 16 stone, about 100 kilos at one point.

Throughout lockdown, we were viewing all these individuals working out however we were simply in your home consuming chocolate and drinking white wine.

MORE: ‘ My little snow princess!’ James and Ola Jordan share charming snaps of young child Ella

You likewise had an infant to take care of– did the fatigue of brand-new being a parent avoid you from working out?

James: No. I indicate we were worn out and clearly, I had the tension of my daddy passing away … It took me a long period of time to overcome that. I’m not attempting to make reasons; everybody handle things in a different way which’s how we handled it.

Ola: And life altered also. We could not simply go to the health club like we usually would– our life wasn’t about us any longer, we had this little infant now.

James: We like working out together. We constantly utilized to go to the health club together, so we picked not to go independently. It was unhealthy and we didn’t feel terrific. I could not even do my shoelaces up without taking a seat. That’s actually stressing, isn’t it? I could not raise my upper hand!

I was experiencing reflux, I had brain fog, and I make sure that was because of the sugar and the quantity of processed food we were consuming. We were having takeaways most likely 3 times a week, perhaps more.

Ola post-weight loss Picture by David Venni

Ola, how did you feel about yourself at that time?

Ola: I felt revolting if I’m truthful. We went on vacation to Tenerife in the summertime and I didn’t wish to remain in pictures. There are a couple of photos of me and I look dreadful; I used the baggiest clothing I might discover. I wasn’t delighted. I wished to throw down the gauntlet.

I keep in mind there were occasions that James went to however I didn’t have anything to use– I didn’t like anything on me, so I didn’t wish to go. That’s not the method to be, is it? That wasn’t me. I seem like I have actually got a little bit of myself back now.

Did you feel any pressure to return to the size individuals understood you as from television?

Ola: Yeah, I expect individuals would constantly state to me, ‘Oh do not fret you’ll snap back due to the fact that you are a dancer.’ A dancer or not, I’m still like everybody else– I still need to work as tough as everybody else.

So yeah, there was a little bit of pressure on social networks however to be truthful, many people were actually helpful and stated I looked so delighted and content now I have Ella.

The reality was, whilst I was pleased to be a mum, I was extremely dissatisfied with the method I looked and whilst I was smiling on the outdoors, I was dealing with my size.

James given that conditioning Picture by David Venni

What made you alter your methods?

James: We got to a phase where we took a look at each other and went, ‘Actually?’ Ola constantly stated she wished to be among the fit mums selecting Ella up from school. However we weren’t– we were both fat, and I understand that sounds actually bad, however we were both extremely unhealthy.

Ola: It was brewing for a long period of time. We both desired it, however we didn’t have the balls to do something about it. Often it simply takes that individual to be all set and choose to alter their methods.

I visited my fertility physician previously this year to go over if and when I may be able to pursue another infant. They informed me my opportunities would be significantly increased if I was a bit healthier, I understood at that point I required to get in shape and it was a genuine incentive for me. It was time to make a modification.

MORE: Why Strictly’s James and Ola Jordan dumped massive four-storey estate

Let’s speak about the turning point when Ola published the swimsuit picture on Instagram …

Ola: The truthful reality is that James headed out to an occasion and I didn’t wish to go due to the fact that I didn’t like my attire on me. That was the night. He headed out and I sat there with a glass of white wine and I believed, ‘I’m actually not delighted.’

That’s why I published that photo. I believed perhaps that would make me throw down the gauntlet. I practically began working out then. I altered my methods with my diet plan, and with exercising.

James: We altered our way of life. We began consuming much healthier and took a look at the number of calories we consumed in a day. There are a particular quantity of calories that you’re indicated to consume– if you consume more than that, you’ll gain weight and if you consume less then you’ll reduce weight. It’s not brain surgery, however you need to commit yourself to it. And you can still consume great food.

How does your diet plan vary in between from time to time?

James: Well, previously, if we passed McDonald’s we ‘d appear for lunch. Not every night, however at nights, we ‘d have takeaways, whether it be Chinese or fish and chips.

Ola: In Some Cases we ‘d have fish and chips for lunch then curry for supper.

James: If we didn’t seem like cooking, we ‘d decrease to the Beefeater. However we were consuming a lot– it was part size also.

Ola: And likewise the snacking in between. It does not take wish for me to gain weight. And I was likewise consuming Ella’s food; while I was making a sandwich I was eating of it. The smidgens accumulate, do not they?

James: We still enjoy what we consume. As long as you understand just how much you’re working out and calorie counting … I’m not going to state it’s basic due to the fact that it still takes devotion, however you can still enjoy your food.

Ola still has a number of glasses of Prosecco, and you can still reduce weight. I delight in consuming much healthier food more now that I have actually eliminated all the processed food and sugar. I delight in consuming salmon fillets and broccoli.

Ola: We’ll have an omelette for breakfast, for instance. James in fact discovered how to do an omelette– that’s the only thing he can prepare.

James: We made a note of the important things we consumed previously and the important things we consume now and you ‘d be amazed. Some days I was consuming 4,000 to 5,000 calories.

We dealt with a diet professional and she assisted us a lot. Everybody understands a bit about nutrition do not they, however when you speak with a correct diet professional they’re another level. She described the very best times to consume, the number of times to consume each day …

Ola: And to be truthful with you, we consume whatever. I’m not cutting any food groups out. Nowadays you get all type of crash diet, however I ‘d state I consume whatever.

James: We utilized to consume supper actually late today we consume at about 5 or 6pm. Prior to, we ‘d wait till Ella went to sleep and we were consuming at 9 or 10pm. That’s made a huge distinction also.

What time of day do you work out and how typically?

Ola: We exercise when Ella’s house in the afternoon, and after that when she’s back from nursery we’ll do it at night.

James: We work out about 5 times a week with our brand-new Dance Shred program. The exercises integrate dance with correct health club workouts workouts like walkouts, slabs, burpees, ab exercises in between, and it’s all to music. It just takes 15 minutes.

The exercises are enjoyable and you’re discovering an ability. You get taught the dance; you get taught the workouts. It’s the very first thing we have actually carried out in several years that I actually think in. You all understand I like a joke and whatever, however this is actually bloody great!

James and Ola’s brand-new slimmer bodies Picture by David Venni

Your Dance Shred program is out on Boxing Day …

James: We constantly thought of doing a mentor DVD however it didn’t thrill either people. This does. I’m actually enthusiastic about it due to the fact that I feel we have actually discovered something that’s distinct. We have actually overcome 60 years of dance experience in between us. Anybody can do it and you can do it in your home.

Ola: And you can do it by yourself so you do not require to feel self mindful, simply got for it! It’s not partnered dancing. You have actually got Cha Cha Cha on there, Samba, Salsa, Disco …

James: There are 12 weeks in the very first strategy and you get a dance every week. The very first week it begins with Cha Cha fundamental, for instance, then it gets harder as it goes on. The last one on that strategy is Jive Advanced– and it’s a killer, even for us! I discover it difficult, which’s great.

The actions get more complex, and the workouts get harder also. With the workouts, we do an easy and advanced variation too.

Have your energy levels enhanced?

James: Yes, I feel a lot more alert and energetic now. I simply feel better.

Ola: And for me, my skin is so great now. I can certainly see a distinction. I consume a lot more water now.

Ola is back to her old size Picture by David Venni

What’s it resembled placing on a few of your older clothing that now fit once again?

Ola: I would state whatever fits me now in my closet. That’s incredible. There was a point in the summertime when I could not discover anything to use. It’s so great to fit back into my dancing catsuits.

We did 2 programs this December and I had the ability to suit my dancing outfits once again which felt so great. It’s simply great to be back to ourselves. We are not attempting to be something we are not, we simply wished to return to our old selves.

James: And I even raised you over my head once again! That was a huge minute, I have not had the ability to raise her for several years. Not just due to the fact that she was much heavier however due to the fact that I had less power as I ran out shape.

How has getting in shape once again impacted you as a couple?

James: I got in problem last time I discussed that! I still expensive her slimmer– is that bad of me to state that? I never ever enjoyed her any less when she was larger, I simply expensive her more when she is trimmer.

Ola: And I expensive him more when he is trimmer however I believe you are not permitted to be truthful about these things nowadays.

James: I choose my better half looking healthy. We were both scientifically overweight.

Ola: I believe partially also, he indicates by me enjoying. Like in the summertime when I didn’t wish to take an image with Ella and I remained in a frumpy old gown, he might see I wasn’t delighted.

James: I like you using great clothing where your body is looking healthier and athletic.

Ola: However you’re not permitted to state it.

James: However I do. I do not care what other individuals state, so long as you comprehend where I’m originating from that’s all that matters to me.

Ola: I do due to the fact that I feel the very same – it’s great to see James healthy and fit too, with a great belly.

Ola and James pre-weight loss

Do you seem like it’s sustainable, like it’s not going to go back on?

Ola: Yeah. I seem like I can do this now.

James: It resembles me with cigarette smoking. As soon as you get to a particular point, you have actually split it. That’s it. This is more of a way of life modification. I’m not informing individuals to inform themselves on it, however we informed ourselves on it

Ola: Often you do not understand. When you go to dining establishments, things are so calorific. This is why individuals state it’s much better to prepare in your home, and it holds true because when you prepare yourself, the calories are a lot less.

James: Something I discovered, I was going to London for a number of months doing my PT course and I was having 4 hazelnut lattes a day, believing I’m simply consuming coffee with a bit of flavour in it, and I was consuming something like 250 calories per coffee. So I was doing 1,000 calories simply in coffee– and I ‘d been doing that for several years.

The diet professional stated: ‘Do not consume your calories, consume your calories’. Now I have decaf due to the fact that it’s much better on my gut. I have oat milk, decaf, sugar-free hazelnut latte and I’ll just have perhaps among them a day, so I have actually eliminated 800 calories. That indicates I can consume more, which is terrific!

What about treats? Do you still get the desire to consume crisps at night?

Ola: Yeah, James will still consume popcorn for instance.

James: Ella has these Polish breadsticks which are incredible. We still have a bit of chocolate occasionally or a biscuit.

Ola: The other day we went out with good friends and had some great duck. They opened Quality Street and we had a few of those.

James: Individuals believe when you’re viewing what you consume you can’t consume anything great– that’s rubbish, you can, however as long as you understand the number of calories you’re consuming.

Which’s why we have actually written our diet strategy as part of Dance Shred, so individuals can get all the assistance they require to remain on track and we understand from experience that it actually works. You have actually got to have the ability to sustain it and we are preserving it now, so we can have a couple of more deals with occasionally.

What’s your recommendations for other moms and dads in the very same scenario– they wish to reduce weight however are discovering it a battle?

Ola: I seem like there is an escape. I understand that it is extremely tough to leave that due to the fact that you get stuck to your weight, and when you’re worn out and put your infant to bed, you simply wish to take a seat and have a bag of crisps and delight in something, like a glass of white wine. I get it’s tough.

James: They’ll understand when they’re all set, It’s such an individual thing. It took us 4 years prior to we went, ‘We have actually got to alter’.

Everybody likes chocolate– it tastes terrific. However I much choose feeling the method I feel now over having that bag of crisps or chocolate. I was feeling so slow and foggy. I didn’t feel great. Now I feel alive once again.

Diet professional Jo Travers states: “Weight reduction is typically fast at the start of a diet plan– if you follow it completely, especially if you have a lot to lose.

Ola’s BMI was greater than James’s so it was to be anticipated that she lost more than him.

Likewise, they both stayed with the letter of the diet plan, which indicated their bodies got all the carbohydrates, protein and micronutrients they required while enabling them to burn their fat shops.

Weight reduction typically decreases after the preliminary fast losses and this took place to James and Ola too, however they persevered, kept following the strategy and their weight kept boiling down– albeit more slowly.”

Go To DANCESHRED.CO.UK