Alison Hammond Loses 11 Stone Through Strength Training and Modified Eating Habits

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has shed 11 stone over the past five years by abandoning lengthy cardio sessions in favour of resistance-based circuit training and addressing her relationship with food. The 51-year-old broadcaster's transformation gained fresh attention after her colleague Dermot O'Leary likened her appearance to a "Bond girl" on the show's recent broadcast. Hammond's journey began when she discovered she was pre-diabetic, a health warning that prompted her to fundamentally restructure both her exercise routine and dietary habits.

The Training Shift That Made the Difference

Hammond's personal trainer, Ellis Gatfield, implemented a significant change to her fitness approach. Rather than forcing herself through prolonged treadmill sessions—which she never enjoyed—the focus shifted to resistance training performed in circuit format using compound movements. This method allowed her to elevate her heart rate while simultaneously building lean muscle and improving body composition, achieving cardiovascular benefits without relying on exhausting cardio work.

Gatfield emphasised that enjoyment became the cornerstone of Hammond's consistency. Sessions were kept to approximately 30 minutes, making them realistic to maintain around her broadcasting schedule. The shift proved crucial: once Hammond genuinely enjoyed her training, she found it easier to commit consistently, and results followed naturally. Her current routine includes Reformer Pilates for flexibility, boxing sessions, and early morning circuit classes that she describes as delivering a sense of accomplishment.

Food Mentality and Balance Over Restriction

Hammond has attributed part of her success to recognising what she called a "childish mentality" towards food, particularly sweets. She previously consumed around 30 stone before her health intervention. Rather than adopting strict restriction, Hammond now practises moderation—eating everything she enjoys but in controlled portions. She limited her confectionery intake significantly, moving from excessive consumption to having only a couple of sweets daily.

The broadcaster also credited her family history as a motivating factor. Her mother has Type 2 diabetes, making the pre-diabetic diagnosis particularly significant. Hammond has publicly stated that she rejected weight-loss injections despite their growing prevalence, citing concerns about potential risks. She emphasised that sustainable change required combining effective training with realistic nutrition habits she could maintain long-term, rather than relying solely on pharmaceutical interventions.