NEW YORK, Feb 16: A woman has shared her transformative journey from binge eating junk food to becoming a fitness enthusiast, shedding light on the significant toll ultra-processed food had on her appearance, including hair loss.

Sophia Moulson, now a TikTok sensation with millions of views on her fitness videos, wasn't always a toned gym expert. In her late teens, she struggled with poor eating habits, living on takeaways and drinking Coke first thing in the morning. As a result, she experienced severe hair loss and a dramatic thinning of her hair.

"My hair used to fall out in clumps in the shower, and it thinned a lot due to stress and my diet," Sophia explained, reflecting on how she was trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity.

Displeased with her appearance and overall health, Sophia decided to join a local gym. This marked the beginning of a significant change in her life, both physically and professionally. "I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and hated my appearance," she shared, describing her lack of confidence and tendency to avoid social situations due to embarrassment.

Her daily routine included ordering takeaways like Domino’s pizza, chips, and Coke, often eating large quantities of junk food throughout the day. "I'd drink half a big bottle of Coke, eat three or four packets of crisps in one go, and a big Galaxy bar. Just all day every day, I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating," she explained.

Her diet consisted mainly of fast food like McDonald's and Pizza Hut, as well as pasta. Sophia admitted to comparing herself to others on social media, which fueled her discomfort and led her to eat more for comfort. "I knew there was a life I wanted to live, but I wasn't there yet, and it stressed me out so much," she said.

The turning point came when Sophia realized that her clothes no longer fit and she was struggling to walk far without becoming out of breath. "I didn't recognize myself," she said, adding that she knew she needed to make a change to avoid future regret.

Weighing 12 stone at the time, she committed to going to the gym three times a week starting in September 2023. "Everything changed when I discovered the gym and a fitness-focused lifestyle," she said. Initially, the experience felt challenging, but she pushed through. "I stuck at it for a month, started enjoying it, and began looking forward to my gym sessions," she explained.

Soon after starting her fitness journey, Sophia noticed her hair loss reduced significantly. "Once I started changing my habits and getting into a routine, my hair stopped falling out as much," she said. Along with physical changes, Sophia experienced a shift in her mindset. "Fitness gave me a sense of purpose and taught me discipline, resilience, and self-love."

Sophia also began to educate herself about nutrition, specifically learning about the effects of seed oils, which she found contributed to her skin breakouts. After eliminating them from her diet for two months, she saw improvements in both her skin and weight. She adopted a high-protein, low-calorie diet, eating approximately 1,500-1,600 calories daily, with meals that included porridge, protein yogurt, salads, and plant-based options.

After three months of mixing cardio and weightlifting, Sophia started seeing visible results. She even increased her gym visits to five or six days a week, which helped her lose 38 pounds over the course of a year and a half. Now weighing 8 stone 9 pounds, Sophia has transformed into a toned, confident individual.

Sophia’s inspiring journey has resonated with many on TikTok, where her videos have garnered up to four million views. Motivated by her success, she shifted careers from working as a barber to becoming a fitness coach, helping others achieve their transformation goals. "This journey has completely transformed my life in ways I never imagined," Sophia said.

As an online coach, she now uses her experience to guide others through their fitness journeys, showing them that breaking free from struggles and creating a healthier lifestyle is possible. "Life has been the best it's ever been," she shared. "I feel so much happier, healthier, and more confident since losing weight. I’ll forever be thankful to my past self for this."