Despite not being an overweight child, Layla Moroney says that she struggled with weight her whole adult life.

Her weight gain began during here first pregnancy 20 years ago and after shedding the pounds, it crept back on on over the years.

The Dubliner tried every diet and club around and while some worked short term, none were ever consistent or ever gave her long term results.

Layla, aged 38, feels like she never had the tools to overcome her weight issues before stumbling across personal trainer and health expert James Smith on social media.

She told RSVP Live: "I began to watch his videos, his straight talking approach struck a chord with me and I signed up to his online fitness academy, The James Smith Academy last February.

“However a few weeks into it I was hit with a health scare which led me to again abandon my efforts. Thankfully it was just a scare and although it was not a weight related scare it did frighten me enough to know I needed to do something once and for all about my weight.”

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Layla is mum to two boys Christian, aged 20, and 12 year old Kai. She had dropped from a size 22 to a 16.

She has also lost over 60 inches from her body, dropping from 114.5kg to 92kg since September: “My diet has changed a lot. I no longer eat mindlessly for the sake of eating, and when I do choose to eat higher calorie foods I enjoy them and log them and move on.”

One thing that sticks out from JSA is the fact that there are no banned foods.

“James does not give you a diet plan although the academy does host a wonderful recipe section designed by real chefs to give you meal ideas.

“You are given your calorie allowance and a protein target which James encourages you to aim for but not beat yourself up if you do not hit it, the protein helps you feel fuller for longer and helps with muscle growth and recovery so it makes sense to add it to your diet.” she said.

Recently, the mother of two was the lucky winner of his 12 week challenge.  As a result, she earned an all-expenses paid trip to Fiji following her fantastic work.

“I never entertained the idea that I would have a chance of winning the challenge all I wanted to do was use the 12 weeks to make a good solid start on the long journey of weight loss I had ahead of me.

“I got up to some fun stuff throughout the challenge , I tried Muay Thai, Zumba and also used a trampoline park with my son and his friends all in the name of trying something new and having fun along my fitness journey,” said Layla.

Her luck didn’t stop there, she also won a gym membership close to her Dun Laoghaire house which allowed her to change her home workout to a gym based one: “The gym became part of my everyday life. I also used the swimming pool in the hotel, and while I can’t swim I did some exercises and used the pool for moving more and relaxing too. 

“Since winning the Fiji challenge I have taken up swimming lessons too and hope to be able to swim in time for the Fiji trip which is coming up soon. 

As well as gym work, Layla also participates in NEATUP247, a movement where people are celebrated for taking the stairs instead of the lift, parking further way, walking the dog instead of sitting on the sofa.

“I challenged myself to climb a series of 239 local steps eight times up and down within the challenge, on the first week I could barely climb them once, by Week 8 I had climbed them nine times smashing my goal of eight ahead of time.

“I have progressed to walking 20km once or twice a week along with an 8km walk most nights. I even pushed myself one evening and walked a half marathon distance,” continued Layla.

Layla also suffers from Ulcerative Colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease, but her weight loss means that she feels healthier and fitter these days.

“One of the big differences this time around is my consistency, I have dropped weight every week except for one- I even lost 1 kg Christmas week!  

“My body shape has totally changed along with dropping the weight, something that never happened with any other clubs or plans I had tried.  I feel stronger, fitter and healthier. 

This is not the end of her journey though and there is a long road ahead:  “I have another 18-20 kg to lose, I want to hit my 40th birthday next year in the best shape of my life and I know with the help of James Smith Academy I will do that. I have waited 20 years to feel like I can do it and to feel happy in my skin and am so glad I now feel like that.”

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What is her advice to other people struggling out there? “Be consistent, but don’t beat yourself up if you have a day you go over your calories. Life is for living and sometimes cake, eating out with friends and family, or drinks happen, that’s okay. In fact, it should be incorporated into your life, otherwise life would be boring. 

“My other advice would be to go to www.jamesmithacademy.com and sign up to the 5 day free trial with no obligation. I have no doubt that even within that 5 days you will walk away having learned something that will help you in your own journey. 

“Who knew that signing up to the Fiji Challenge would be one of the best decisions I have ever made for so many reasons.  There is nothing more powerful than a woman who has made her mind up that she does not want to feel miserable anymore.  If this is you. Go do it. You will be so glad you did.”

Follow Layla's Adventure in Fat Loss on her Instagram account