Love Island presenter Maya Jama has opened up about her personal body image struggles in a candid TikTok video posted on Tuesday night. The 31-year-old television personality shared a clip from the gym where she flashed her abs while expressing frustration over being "naturally skinny" and her desire for a thicker physique.
Food Poisoning Causes Unwanted Weight Loss
Maya revealed that a recent bout of food poisoning during her trip to South Africa had caused her to lose more weight than she would have liked. "Food poisoning in South Africa didn't help lol," she captioned the post, acknowledging how the illness had impacted her body composition. The presenter explained that she prefers a fuller, more muscular appearance and feels she has become too thin following her health setback.
Addressing the Ozempic Assumption
In her video, Maya directly addressed the current cultural trend of assuming slim celebrities are using weight-loss medications like Ozempic. "I don't love that since Ozempic, anyone that's slim, they're like Ozempic, Ozempic, Ozempic," she stated emphatically. The presenter wanted to make it clear that her slender frame is natural rather than pharmaceutical-assisted.
"Some of us are naturally marga [skinny] and we don't wanna be," Maya continued. "We like being thicker, but it's hard so just bear that in mind, alright." She acknowledged the lack of sympathy often shown toward naturally slim individuals seeking to gain weight, saying, "I know there's no sympathy for the slimmers but... it's a bit hard out here sometimes."
Maya's Weight Gain Strategy
The television personality shared practical advice for others looking to increase their body mass, drawing from her own experiences with successful weight gain in the past. "My tip for the girlies that are trying to gain though, is weight lift," Maya recommended. "I've gained weight before and I will do it again."
She also offered a more unconventional suggestion about meal timing. "And eat late. I don't know if this is proper advice but I eat late at night and then feel like it stays on my body, so let's see." Maya emphasized that these methods have worked for her personally when trying to achieve a more substantial physique.
Maya's Established Fitness Routine
This isn't the first time Maya has discussed her approach to fitness and strength training. In January, she told Women's Health magazine about the three exercises that have made the most significant difference to her physical condition: squats, push-ups, and kickbacks with ankle weights.
"Squats really work the glutes, which is a must," she explained. "Push-ups do wonders for my core. I love kickbacks because they're great for firming and toning." Maya typically strength trains with her personal trainer Warren Whitely and incorporates regular reformer Pilates sessions at Nobu London into her fitness regimen.
The presenter also emphasized the importance of everyday activity, saying, "I'm on a bit of a home workout vibe at the moment. Taking the stairs instead of taking the lift, dancing around my house, just being active anywhere I can." This holistic approach to fitness complements her more structured training sessions.
Body Image in the Public Eye
Maya's candid discussion highlights the complex relationship many public figures have with their bodies, particularly when natural body types don't align with personal preferences or current beauty standards. Her willingness to share both her struggles and strategies offers a nuanced perspective on weight management that goes beyond simple loss or gain narratives.
The video has sparked conversations about body diversity and the assumptions people make about others' physiques, especially in an era where pharmaceutical weight loss solutions have become increasingly prevalent in celebrity culture. Maya's message serves as a reminder that body goals are personal and that achieving them often requires tailored approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
