Gemma Atkinson talks big transformation after partner left her 'constantly messed around'

express.co.uk:

Gemma Atkinson, 37, was heartbroken after finally leaving a bad relationship, which had seen her "constantly messed around" - and she wanted to channel her angsty energy into something more productive.

Declaring that she needed a "new focus", Gemma threw herself into working out with a personal trainer, transforming her body and mindset in just 12 weeks.The former Emmerdale actress shared a throwback video to the time period when it all started five years ago, as her 1.8 million Instagram followers looked on admiringly."It was one of the hardest yet rewarding 12wks in more ways than just losing fat and gaining muscle," she recounted."We all have different reasons for wanting to make changes," the former Hollyoaks actress continued."For me, I was at a place where I felt I’d plateaued in my training, I’d come out of a relationship where I’d been constantly messed around and I just wanted a new focus!"Instead of dwelling on the hurt she felt in the past, she challenged: "What better thing to focus on than yourself?"The star shared the emotional story of her transformation alongside video footage of herself training, showing her face screwed up in concentration and exertion.She confided that she had transformed not just her body, but her spirit as well, changing from an "insecure" woman suffering a love split at the start of her training, to a confident "Amazonian" at the end of the 12 weeks."My program didn’t just stop at 12 wks," she explained adamantly."The time in that gym with that team gave me the confidence to walk in any gym and pick up some dumbbells, and the knowledge to carry on my training & nutrition for life," the soap star continued."I don’t just exercise for the sake of it.