A young Birmingham woman has revealed her remarkable three-year transformation after shedding nine stone through dedicated diet and exercise, only to face accusations from online critics who claim she used weight loss jabs to achieve her results.
From Bullying to Transformation
Naya Khan, 19, who operates Schon Aesthetic and Laser, has been open about her journey online, sharing detailed evidence of her lifestyle changes. At her heaviest, she weighed 23 stone 6 pounds, but through consistent effort, she now maintains a weight of 13 stone 8 pounds.
"When I first got accused of jabs, I was shocked," Naya told reporters. "Mostly shocked that I looked slim enough to even be accused of using them. I've had many messages accusing me of lying and using jabs when I have been very clear I never have."
Childhood Struggles and Emotional Eating
The small business owner has battled weight issues since childhood, often turning to food to cope with bullying and self-image struggles. "Before losing nine stone, I was just the girl that faded into the background and was only useful when it was time to make fun of someone," she confessed. "I never felt confident within myself and became an emotional wreck because of it. My weight consumed my mind and the only way I could ease the pain was by eating."
The Three-Year Transformation Process
Naya's journey required multiple major lifestyle changes over three years. Her approach focused on:
- Dietary changes: Limiting sweet treats, reducing portion sizes, and focusing on whole foods
- Exercise routine: Regular weight lifting and cardio sessions
- Mental discipline: Overcoming gym anxiety and maintaining consistency
"I spent most of my days in the gym weight lifting and doing cardio but my main focus was my diet," Naya explained. "I knew if I wanted real change I needed to focus there. As a foodie, this was definitely the hardest thing for me."
From Restaurants to Intuitive Eating
Previously, Naya would eat most meals at restaurants with large portions of crisps, biscuits, and chocolates. Now, she practices intuitive eating, allowing herself treats in moderation while focusing on proper nutrition. "Completely cutting off junk food can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food," she noted. "Protein, carbs and micronutrients are my new dopamine."
Overcoming Gym Anxiety
Initially terrified of the gym environment, Naya worked through her anxiety by reminding herself that everyone present was focused on their own fitness journeys. "As a beginner who was the biggest in the room, I was very anxious," she recalled. "But I reminded myself that everyone here is working on themselves and they don't care about me. And it worked."
Current Focus and Future Goals
Now maintaining a routine of gym, diet, and work, Naya's current priority is building muscle to address loose skin and low muscle mass resulting from her significant weight loss. "Right now, my priority is to become the strongest version of myself," she said.
She's also creating content to help others on similar journeys, stating: "If I can help at least one person and make the process easier for them, that is my ultimate goal. And that is also the reason I decided to share my journey."
Advice for Beginners
Naya offers practical guidance for those starting their own fitness journeys:
- Be patient and do it correctly: Avoid shortcuts like fat-loss jabs
- Start slow: Focus on calorie deficit, weightlifting, and cardio
- Avoid extremes: Over-exercising and under-eating can be counterproductive
- Seek guidance: Connect with people who have successfully completed similar journeys
"Right now, there are many shortcuts such as fat-loss jabs that are advertised to make you slimmer," Naya cautioned. "But why cheat when you can do it the right way?"
Despite facing online accusations, Naya continues to share her story transparently, rejecting collaboration offers from weight loss medication companies and maintaining her commitment to natural, sustainable weight loss methods.
