Video: World champion fit after beating the flab

Kelly Lamont, 33, lost four stone of fat and is now able to lift weights of up to 100kg after training for a year at Larne’s Fit Factory.

She recently clinched two trophies at the NIFMA Fitness Modelling World Championships in Dublin.

Kelly told The Times: “I have always struggled with my weight and yo-yo dieted, going up and down, starting and losing my way. In September last year, just after my 32nd birthday, I decided I was going to do it and it just clicked. I started the Herbal Life programme with Paula from Fit Factory and really enjoyed fitness classes. I then approached Phil Barnhill, who runs Fit Factory, to train with him.”

Kelly began resistance training with weights, losing four stone in body fat while building muscle mass. The local mum then decided to enter fitness competitions. She explained: “I saw other girls going to shows but never thought I would be able to do it. Phil mentioned it and I immediately said no. But then I decided to compete. I was terrified, I have a mummy belly and loose skin and couldn’t imagine how I would get up onstage!”

At the recent Northern Ireland Fitness Model Association (NIFMA) World Championships in Dublin, Kelly won the Miss Toned Over 30s and Miss Muscle over 30s categories, as well as coming second in the Miss Formal over 30s category.

Kelly has now launched a Facebook page, Fit mums NI, to help other women improve their fitness, and is hoping to train as a personal trainer. She commented: “I have changed my diet and lifestyle to benefit my family. I want to improve understanding of nutrition and help mums improve their general fitness with tips, recipes, advice and videos. This has improved my physical and mental health.

“A lot of people say I’m an inspiration but I’m just like any busy mum with two kids and a job. I’d love to think that my story had inspired people to start living a healthy life.”