Abs-olutely Wonderful

[Alkaz]

Are these Britain's HOTTEST best friends? Formerly overweight pals who were taunted for their looks ditch the fast food and hit the gym… and now they strip for Tom Ford and Prada modelling campaigns

Two best friends who shed an impressive amount of weight and scored top modelling careers prove that with a little determination and self-belief, you can achieve your dreams.Jamie Jewitt, 24, and Henry Rogers, 22, both admit that when they were in their teens, their self-esteem was at rock bottom.
Henry, from Ealing, reached eighteen stone at his heaviest. Before he made his foray into modelling, Henry, 22, was a student and working part-time as an electronic salesman.

At this point, he was keen to pursue a career in rugby, which was his passion.

However, after reaching 18st, he decided to embark on a strict diet and after shedding the pounds and slimming down to 12st, he landed a job at Abercrombie & Fitch, where he was scouted by top agency, Models 1.

His best friend Jamie Jewitt, 24, from Essex, weighed 15st before his 15th birthday.
Jamie was so self-conscious with his looks, he barely posed for any photographs and has hardly any snaps from his teen years.

After two years of intense and solid training - which included following a strict vegan diet for a year - he shed the excess weight and now weighs 12st. After he shed the weight, his family urged him to go to a casting following years of taunts about the way he looked.

The first casting was unsuccessful and he focused on his education. But fearing that he'd feel defeated, his parents encouraged him to go to a second casting. He was successful and moved out to New York alone to pursue his career in modelling.Despite initial setbacks, the pair have since fronted campaigns for Tom Ford, Armani, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.

The duo have even ventured into the world of reality TV, starring on New York's answer to Made In Chelsea, Taking New York. The boys have, however, left the show to focus on their modelling careers. And now, they say they want to use their new-found platform to speak out in a bid to break the ’shame’ around ‘body image’ and ‘insecurity’ amongst men. So why do some men struggle to talk about body insecurities? Jamie and Henry think it is a 'masculine thing'. Discussing the topic, Jamie said: 'This year we have seen women leading the way. The likes of the Spice Girls encouraged the "feel good" movement. They encouraged women coming together and celebrating "body beautiful". 'But, for men, we are all too cowardly to talk about body image and insecurities. Even though we are all feeling it, we are not having those discussions down the gym. You don’t want to be that guy that gets a tough time from your mates for talking out. It is silly really.'


Henry added: 'For some reason men don’t feel like they can admit that they are insecure about their looks, that they don’t feel the same pressures that women do. But with all the women paving the way for us and speaking out so confidently about their insecurities, we thought, why not admit to the world that we’re not always comfortable in our skin either. 'Where are the male celebrity ambassadors talking out about body image? There aren’t any. Where are the female celebrity ambassadors talking out about body image? Everywhere. 'From Pink to Kelly Clarkson. Women are out there talking loud and proud. We are letting the side down.'
The pair are getting set to promote healthy male body image in a photoshoot with Attitude/Ateen coming out in June.

I thought this was quite a nice thing to read this morning and thought I would share it. It can be done! Phwoooar!!

[Empired]

Maybe it will help some teens out there, maybe it won't. I like the idea of that kid having to go on a strict diet for two years. To me, that shows someone who is set on making lifestyle changes to live a happier, healthier life rather than just wanting to shed a few pounds.

[UnrealGoffEmo]

Great for them - both have done really well and made great gains. Obviously both altering their hairstyles has really helped achieve their goals too - but fair play to them for effort/trying no doubts.

[thms]

lmfao altering their hairstyles

[Evanora]

perhaps this will inspire the baked bean to become a bean sprout @thms;

[thms]

perhaps this will inspire the baked bean to become a bean sprout @thms;

very interesting theory evanora. i guess we will see!

[-:Undertaker:-]

I love stories like this, goes to show it is all about willpower.

Hello to the second guy.

[Earthquake]

gives people hope, and especially to me where I have gained a few pounds settling down!