From 22 Stone to Bodybuilder: Woman's Triumph Over Fat and Fit Shaming
Harriet Hartley, a 32-year-old barista from Torpoint, Cornwall, has undergone a remarkable physical transformation, shedding more than 11 stone to reach a slender 11 stone 5 pounds. Yet, despite achieving what many would consider a fitness triumph, she reveals feeling "more insecure" now than when she was at her heaviest, due to relentless online criticism.
A Journey Marked by Cruelty
At her peak weight of 22 stone 3 pounds, Harriet endured brutal fat-shaming, with strangers cruelly dubbing her "jabba the hut" during nights out. "When I was younger I'd be called fatty Hatty," she recalls. "I would post a picture on a night out with my friends. People would comment and say 'you look fat'." This constant ridicule led her to internalize the bullying, becoming her own harshest critic to numb the pain from others.
Her weight struggles were compounded by two serious horse riding injuries in 2017, which fractured vertebrae in her spine. Dependent on pain medication and unable to exercise regularly, her eating habits spiraled. "I could eat a full box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and ask, 'what's for dinner?'" she admits, describing how comfort eating became a damaging routine.
The Turning Point
After unsuccessful attempts with the Cambridge Diet and the medication Mounjaro, which left her feeling ill, Harriet had an epiphany in January 2024. "I thought, 'do I want to live to 80 or 65?'" she explains. Quitting smoking and partying, she joined a gym and completely overhauled her lifestyle.
The real breakthrough came in April 2025 when she began working with a fitness coach. Developing a passion for weightlifting, she followed a structured nutritional plan and workout regimen, ultimately losing over 11 stone and dropping to a size eight to ten. Her diet transformed dramatically:
- Previously: Full English breakfasts, burgers, fish and chips, microwave meals with desserts, and snacks of cakes and chocolate.
- Currently: Porridge for breakfast, chicken wraps pre-gym, protein shakes post-gym, and meals centered on lean proteins with vegetables and complex carbs.
The Paradox of Fit Shaming
As Harriet embraced her new fitness identity and began training as a bodybuilder, she expected praise. Instead, she encountered a new form of cruelty: fit shaming. "The more I was integrating my gym life with people my social media posts started receiving nasty messages," she reveals. Critics labeled her "boring" or "not the same," attacking her character for making healthy choices.
Posting bodybuilding check-ins in bikinis and high heels to inspire others, she was branded a "tart" and faced threats. "I look back to when I was big and I am probably more insecure now because I've got people giving me really horrible messages," she confesses, highlighting the toxic culture of online judgment.
Looking Forward Despite Setbacks
Harriet's journey continues with challenges. She was scheduled to compete in the PCA first timers bodybuilding competition in November, but a recent diagnosis of a parotid tumour in her jaw requires surgery, with a five-month waiting period. She also plans loose skin removal and breast augmentation later this year, aiming to resume competition preparation in 2027.
Despite the negativity, Harriet finds solace in inspiring others. "I've had some responses from individuals saying my journey has inspired them to return to the gym," she shares. However, she warns about the dangers of social media, urging people to "be careful" about what they consume online and to seek advice from properly educated fitness professionals rather than influencers promoting quick fixes.
Her story underscores a painful truth: whether overweight or fit, body shaming persists. "Everyone is pussy footing and upset or hurting people's feelings if you're not healthy but it's not actually helping," she asserts. "If you're not fit and not healthy let's do something about it." Harriet's resilience serves as a powerful reminder of the need for kindness and support in fitness journeys, free from the shadow of trolls.
