Experience

Cosmetic nurse prescriber | philanthropist & charity trustee | entrepreneur

BIRTH OF BODY BY CATHY The seeds for Body by Cathy were planted more than 15 years ago when I started battling my own weight issues, they've grown as I've kept the weight off and they've blossomed as I've gotten stronger—all while I was running my successful beauty company, Skin by Cathy. Now, as I share my journey, I hope to inspire others to get fit and dramatically change their lives and their bodies. My story isn’t just about weight-loss, it’s about believing in yourself no matter what, setting goals, doing what terrifies you, celebrating success and embracing every inch of your body—both inside and out. Those beliefs are what drive my business, Body by Cathy, and every decision I make. Explore my world.

MY JOURNEY Bullying, undiagnosed dyslexia and low self-esteem fused together, forming a bond that riddled me with shame. Unaware of the cause and feeling helpless to change, I ate my way to a UK size 24, which became a vicious circle as every pound made me feel even more powerless.

When I finally decided I had enough of being fat, and I knew I had to change or risk disease, I didn't know how to start. I was too ashamed and embarrassed to join a gym or even walk outside. I didn’t have a support network or someone to advise me. Instead, I read a lot and tested popular programmes (you know the ones you see late at night or in fashion magazines that promise miracles—I tried them all). Of course I failed many times, always reverting back to binging and punishing.

UNDERSTANDING THE EMOTIONAL LINK

Fat me is still in the back of my head at times, but I know how to overcome those thoughts and accept myself. — Cathy Martin Shrinking to a UK size 8, and staying there for the past 10 years was not easy. I made a lot of mistakes in my quest to get fit and I often went to extremes, risking my health, but that was because I didn't understand nutrition and I didn't know the link between my weight and my emotions. When I became aware of my emotional connection to my weight, I became empowered and began to take control of my life. Coaching is core to our Get Fit programmes because I know it would have benefited me when I was trying to lose weight.

As I shed the weight, I shed the shame and emotional baggage I’d been hiding under. I was lucky because I've always been a fighter and I knew that if I could lose the weight, I could be happy and I could love my body. Now, I wear my stretchmarks as a badge of honour because they remind me that I am strong and I can accomplish anything. Learn more.

CATHY MARTIN IS AN AESTHETIC NURSE PRESCRIBER (RN, INP), REGISTERED WITH NMC. cathy is also a weight loss management consultant and nutrition coach. winner uk Health and fitness entrepreneur of the year 2021.