Jai: I lost 6st and found the confidence to come out as transgender

Raised as a girl, Jai has always identified as male. It was only when he lost the weight gained from comfort eating that he finally felt empowered to be his true self
Published 8 August, 2016

Jai's story 

Name: Jai
Weight loss: 6st
Was: 17st 6lb
Now: 11st 6lb
Age: 23
Height: 5'4"
How long it took: 2 years 3 months
How he did it: WW Workshops with his WW Coach, Sharon       

"My journey has been transformational in every way. "

My incredible moment Watching the strips of hair float to the floor was exhilarating; every snip of the hairdresser’s scissors inching closer to the real me. Finally, I looked at my cropped hair in the mirror and saw an image that fitted with the person I felt I was inside: a man. It was an incredible moment. I changed my name by deed poll and officially became Jai; a he, no longer a she.                                                      

Healthier, fitter and happier Since the age of seven, I’d felt stuck in the wrong body. I wore dresses and experimented with make-up in my teenage years, but it was to impress other people. Seeking comfort in food, I ballooned to a size 20 at 17st 6lb. Joining WW was nerve-racking, but I was surprised at how little everyone judged. We were all there for the same reason; to be healthier, fitter and happier.                                      

Coming out as transgender My mum wasn’t surprised when I came out as transgender, so I took the brave step of baring my soul to my WW Coach, Sharon. I was blown away by her support after I had my hair cut in November 2015, and asked her to call me Jai. Once I came out officially to everyone I knew, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was such a relief to have nothing to hide.                                                                   

Transformation With every pound lost, I gained energy. I bought a Fitbit, started walking everywhere, and downloaded the Couch to 5K app. Now I can run a whole mile without stopping. I had never felt happier, and went to see my doctor at the beginning of 2016 to be referred to a gender identity clinic. I wanted the whole physical transformation – the hormones, the surgery, the lot. I was a man, and wanted my physical exterior to finally reflect my true gender.

Long journey ahead I know I have a long journey ahead, but I’m sure I’m on the right road. I’m almost at my goal weight and I’m not far from my life goal, too. My journey has been transformational in every way.