Strictly's Ola Jordan shares weight loss update after bikini pic that 'horrified' her

Ola Jordan has shared a weight loss update with fans after revealing that being "horrified" by a bikini picture triggered her to embark on a health kick.

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional, 40, took part in a video with her 40-year-old husband James – who is also a former Strictly pro and has joined his wife in slimming down – explaining how they had got back in shape.

In the clip, posted to Instagram, James said they were "very proud" of the weight they had lost after being told by doctors they were obese following the 2020 birth of their daughter Ella.

Along with his wife, who he married in 2003, the dance choreographer had also been motivated to change his lifestyle after seeing the image of the pair posing in swimwear.

James continued: "Since Ola posted that unflattering picture back in the summer, we have both shifted a lot of timber.

"Because we were unhealthy. We went to the doctor and were both told we were in the obese category. Which for us as professional dancers, to be told that you're obese wasn't very nice."

Ola noted: "I think we both needed that wake-up call and realisation where we'd got ourselves to. We needed to change our ways and be healthy for Ella. It's a hard pill to swallow."

Her husband added: "It is hard and we were stuck there a very long time. We had to change something, which we did. We had to start moving more, exercising more and change our diet."

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They revealed that they had turned to a combination of fitness and healthy eating to achieve their weight loss in a healthy, sustainable way.

The mother-of-one explained: "We still have our treats and still eat what we want but essentially you have to look at the whole picture."

Since being shared, the video update has been 'liked' more than 13,000 times, with many of their fans praising them for their openness about their impressive body transformations.

It came after Ola shared a picture of the couple in swimwear to Instagram in July, revealing that she had been hesitant to post it because it made her feel "horrified and so disappointed with myself".

Captioning the image – which showed the dancing professionals posing in front of a pool in the sunshine – Ola wrote: "Hi guys. I wasn’t going to post this picture but I’ve decided to because I’m horrified and so disappointed with myself and by posting it I’m hoping it will help motivate me to do something about it.

"Our friend took this snap of us yesterday trying to stay cool by the pool but OMG... it was a total shock to say the least! When did we get ‘mum and dad bods’????

"We know we’re not in our best Strictly shape but hey that’s what happens when you stop dancing for hours every day and have a baby. (I just want to know James’ excuse).

"Stay cool everyone. I think I need to avoid the ice cream for a while!!!"

Fans and friends of the couple were quick to voice their support, with Geordie Shore's Charlotte Crosby commenting: "You both still look bloody amazing! Hate to read you put yourself down! You are stunning ola! And both amazing people abs parents."

Love Island's Laura Anderson echoed this with: "Stunning as always ola you were always my strictly inspo watching for years, so beautiful and talented and trust me you still are."

She also encouraged Ola to "enjoy your food booze and family time" as "it’s way more fun than keeping up a six pack let’s be honest".

Meanwhile, Alex Murphy wrote "you two look absolutely perfect. Love you both", while Charlotte Dawson said, "beautiful".

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Zoe Ball added "love you both", Lisa Armstrong wrote "I think you both look fab!!!" and Kimberley Walsh left a string of heart emojis.

Many fans also called on them to "embrace the mum and dad bods" since "being healthy and happy is the main thing".

One wrote: "Omg stop don’t say horrified you guys are gorgeous!! And well done for sharing this beautiful photo of normal bodies thank you," wrote one.

Another commented: "Refreshing post Ola - you are very gorgeous and always look so whatever size. It’s bloody hard after having a baby!!!"

This follows the couple opening up about their IVF journey with Ella, and their thoughts on having a second baby.

The couple conceived through the method in 2019, after struggling to start a family together following their departures from Strictly.

Speaking to Hello!, Ola said: ""I always wanted to be a mum and I loved children. I always loved looking after my nieces.

"I had that in me, so I think that’s why it upset me even more that I couldn’t have a child on my own, because I was always ready for that.

Read more: Ola and James Jordan say people look at them 'differently' after weight gain

"I was really wrapped up in getting pregnant. Every second thinking, 'am I pregnant?'"

James added: "For a lot of people, you don't want to go down the IVF route. You're like 'no, it's going to happen!'

"You put yourself under pressure once it’s not happening, which isn't good either apparently. I think everyone wants to have children naturally and many people seem scared of talking about the fact they’ve been through IVF."

Commenting on having to inject herself every night to help eggs build up, Ola said she found the process more mentally than physically painful.

She explained: "To me, that was nothing. I can push myself quite hard – my pain threshold is quite high I'd say, so it didn't bother me if I was going to get a baby from that. The waiting process of IVF was hard.

"The pregnancy was really nerve-racking. I didn’t want to do anything strenuous. I didn’t want to exercise too much, I was just 'being.'"

Read more: Ola Jordan opens up about poverty-stricken childhood

They welcomed their baby girl in February 2020, with Ola describing it as "the best thing ever".

She said: "Even now, I feel so emotional about it because I remember how I felt. When they put Ella on my chest and after all we went through, it was so special."

James added: "It was unbelievable. It was like that Lion King moment for me. Ola had a C-section and the sheet was covering everything, then this lady lifted our baby above the sheet and I wanted to make the Lion call – and Ella was so pretty!"

When asked if they'd like to have another child, James said: "We haven't thought about another baby imminently, but we would definitely go through it [IVF] again if we decide that we want to."

Watch: Ola Jordan shaving James Jordan's lockdown locks live on TV