The incredible achievement of 22-year-old Nosheen Ahmed who has halved her body weight has put the Rochdale woman in line to win a top national award.

Nosheen ballooned from nine to 27 stone when she was a teenager after being diagnosed with severe arthritis, an eating disorder and depression.

She could barely move with the pain and was put on high doses of steroids which caused the massive weight gain and spent 15 years battling illness and barely being able to walk.

Targeted and beaten up by bullies, Nosheen reached an all time low and was considered a suicide risk.

Aged 20 she saw some medical improvements, left home and decided to take control of her life. She joined weight watchers who advised Nosheen to join a gym and after plucking up the courage, she joined Fitness First in Rochdale.

“It took me around eight months to psyche myself up to go to a gym. I conducted a lot of research and would stand in front of the mirror to practice how I was going to speak to the gym about wanting to lose weight. It was a huge decision for me as I was really scared of being ridiculed whilst working out.

“In the beginning I’d go into the gym at 6.30 am when it was quiet and made sure I had exited before it got busy with other members.

“In the first three months I lost 20 kg which was really encouraging. People started noticing especially the receptionists because they could see my membership picture on-screen when I’d sign in at the gym.”

Very soon Nosheen started to receive the comments on how good she was looking from friends and family in her hometown and this boosted her will power to keep on going.

She worked with Fitness First personal trainer Dean Wharmby to achieve this weight loss and has beaten off hundreds of entrants to be in the final three for the Shape Award at the health club group’s annual New You Awards.

Nosheen has not let any setback stop her in her quest for fitness and says that she now takes part in fun runs when just a few years ago she was unable to walk.

“Fitness First has taught me that nothing is impossible and where there is a will there is a way.’’ In 2009 Nosheen graduated with an LLB law degree and has now completed nine 10km fun runs for local hospitals.

“We have had some incredible stories from our members and Nosheen is an inspirational example to other people,’’ said Fitness First’s national fitness manager Derek Crawford.

The awards recognise outstanding member achievements, and are the first of their kind in the fitness industry. The winners will be announced on Friday January 15 at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Fitness First in London.

Add comment on this article