Reality television icon Gemma Collins has showcased her remarkable body transformation while delivering a powerful New Year's message to her legion of fans. The 44-year-old star of The Only Way Is Essex posed confidently in a black and blue bikini during a recent holiday, highlighting the results of her sustained weight loss journey.
An Inspirational Message for the New Year
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Gemma used the striking beach photos as a backdrop for her reflective end-of-year thoughts. She penned a lengthy note encouraging her followers to embrace the coming year with self-assurance. "As we step into 2026, do so with grace, confidence, and unwavering self-belief," she wrote.
She continued with deeply personal advice, stating: "Your intuition is sacred guidance—trust it, honour it, and allow it to lead the way. Never dilute the essence of who you are to meet the expectations of others." Gemma concluded her message by wishing for "elevated success, abundant wealth, deep inner peace, and soul-level happiness" for every woman in the year ahead.
The Weight Loss Journey and Health Scare
Gemma Collins has been transparent with her followers about her health and fitness goals, having previously revealed she shrunk from a size 26 to a size 20. This transformation, amounting to a loss of 3.5 stone, was achieved rapidly after she began using the weight loss medication Mounjaro.
However, her journey hit a frightening obstacle in August. The star suffered what she described as a 'gallbladder attack', an episode so painful it left her dropping to the floor. Speaking to the Daily Mail last month, Gemma disclosed that this health scare prompted her to temporarily halt the Mounjaro injections.
Despite the severe pain, medical professionals later assured her the gallbladder issue was not directly linked to the medication. After a break and careful management of her diet, Gemma has now decided to resume treatment with a cautious new approach.
Microdosing and Future Goals
Moving forward, Gemma Collins plans to 'microdose' on Mounjaro to mitigate potential side effects. She explained that while she followed the recommended dosage increase from 2.5mg up to 15mg weekly, she will now stick to the initial 2.5mg amount, which she found most effective.
Hailing the drug as 'life changing', she affirmed her commitment to a healthier lifestyle, but not at the expense of her identity. "I'm never going to look stick thin. I don't want to look stick thin. It's not who I am. But it's about being healthier," she stated. Her ultimate goal is to lose a total of 6 stone from her original weight, though she emphasises she is not rushing to achieve this dramatically.
Medical experts note that gallbladder problems, such as gallstones, are a known but rare side effect of GLP-1 inhibitor drugs like Mounjaro. A spokesperson for Eli Lilly, the manufacturer, stated that patient safety is their top priority and that they actively monitor and report all safety information to regulatory bodies like the MHRA.
