Jesy Nelson has topped a list of the fittest, most body-positive women in the world this year, for sharing her heartbreaking and powerful journey to body love.

The Little Mix star took the top spot inheat magazine’s annual ‘Fit List’, announced today (Tuesday 31 December), in a year which saw Jesy open up in her BBC Three documentary Odd One Out about the abuse she received and the dark place she sank to, after being bombarded with negative messages on social media about the way she looked, with trolls branding her ‘the fat one’ in the band.   In making the documentary, getting therapy and receiving a lot of support from her friends, family and bandmates, Jesy’s finally reached a healthy place where she feels proud of the way she looks, and now, she is on a mission to make sure other women feel the same. 

“I didn’t know what it felt like to be happy.  I have overcome that now, but there must be so many women and girls that don’t feel good in themselves and are struggling with mental illness, and I thought if I’ve overcome that, I want people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

“It’s mad how society expects us to look,” she adds.  “Everybody has this preconception that you’re supposed to be perfect looking – but nobody is perfect.  What’s great is that there are so many artists coming out now who aren’t stereotypically how a pop star is ‘supposed’ to look.  It’s so empowering to women.  I still have days when I feel sh*t in myself but instead of beating myself up about it and being miserable, I think, ‘OK, I’m going to have my moment of being sad and I’ll be over it’.  Before I didn’t let myself be sad.”

Jesy’s greatest fit tip is ‘swearing’ when it gets tough during a workout.  “When I feel like I can’t go on, I swear a lot – it gets me through it.  And I have to have a trainer who shouts at me.  I can’t have someone who’s like, ‘You’re doing well.’”

heat’s annual Fit List is a celebration of the gorgeous celebrities who are proving beautiful bodies come in all shapes and sizes.  They have been selected by a top panel of experts for their healthy lifestyles, hard work in the gym and sensible head when it comes to knowing that we need to love the body we’re in.  They’re strong, they’re sexy and they’re speaking out in celebration of body positivity.  heat salutes the Top 30 women who are #bodygoals for all the right reasons, based on their balanced approach and body realness.

The 2020 Fit List Top Ten

1. Jesy Nelson, 28
2. Jennifer Lopez, 50
3. Rochelle Humes, 30
4. Stacey Solomon, 30
5. Davina McCall, 52
6. Gemma Atkinson, 35
7. Dua Lipa, 24
8. Alex Scott, 35
9. Dina Asher Smith, 24
10. Lucy Mecklenburgh, 28

J-Lo takes the 2^nd spot. Turning 50 this year, she looked more glowing than ever, taking to the Versace runway in a replica of the iconic dress she wore 20 years ago.  She’s incredibly disciplined in both her workouts and her diet, but she does this to make the most of her body, rather than to shape it into something it’s not.  She says, “I think the idea of being curvaceous, being a little bit bigger than normal or smaller than normal, all of that is okay.  As long as it’s healthy.  I embrace who I am. I feel sexy, I feel youthful, I feel pretty sometimes!”

TV presenter Rochelle Humes, 30, takes the third place and Stacey Solomon, 30, who welcomed her third son Rex is in at 4, and is applauded for the impact her honesty has had on women.  Stacey admits, “I love my body.  Even the bits society say shouldn’t be there.  Because every bit of it came together to make him. Cellulite is beautiful, back bumps add character and tummy ledges are great for resting a baby on.”

It’s no surprise that fitness and motivational queen Davina McCall, 52, is back on this year’s list at number 5.   On her body confidence she says, “I’m much less tough on myself.  I’m definitely not aiming for perfection – I just want to be happy and healthy and enjoy life.” 

In at number 6 is Gemma Atkinson who is getting back to peak fitness levels slowly and safely after the birth of her daughter Mia.   Former footballer and Strictly contestant Alex Scott is at number 8, and World Champion and Olympic medallist Dina Asher-Smith, 24, makes it in at number 9.

Lucy Mecklenburgh, 30, completes the top 10 and inspires thousands of women to embrace fitness through her Results with Lucy programme.  She told heat: “I want to tell people that there are so many more benefits to exercising when you’re pregnant.  And I’ve probably never been as happy with the way I look than I am now.”

Other noteworthy Brits on the list include:  TV Presenters Holly Willoughby, 38, at 13 and Emma Willis, 43, at 22.   The new Mrs Ferdinand, Kate Wright, 28, is in at number 14 and says of self-esteem, “I guess outer confidence definitely comes from the inside.  Exercise is my therapy for sure.”  Love Island’s Alexandra Cane, 28, who has transformed her body inside and out with her own fitness app is at 17.  She told heat, “I feel incredible.  I want to put this feeling in a bottle and share it with everyone.”  And, Adele, 31, who has embarked on a fitness mission since her marriage split and has reportedly turned to Reformer Pilates and shed 3 stone, makes 18. 

Elsewhere on the list are Vicky Pattison, 32, at 21 and Strictly Pro and The Greatest Dancer coach Oti Mabuse, 29, at 23.  Hits Radio breakfast presenter Fleur East, 32, is at 26 and model and body-confidence advocate Jada Sezer, 30, makes her debut on this year’s list at 29.  “I ran the London Marathon – in my underwear! For me, it was about showing fitness is more than one body type.”

Mel C, 45, the only Spice Girl to make it, rounds off this year’s list at number 30.

The full Top 30 heat Fit List appears in this week’s heat magazine, on sale now.

1. Ferne McCann, 29
2. Nicola Adams, 37
3. Holly Willoughby, 38
4. Kate Wright, 28
5. Jessica Ennis-Hill, 33
6. Fearne Cotton, 38
7. Alexandra Cane, 28
8. Adele, 31
9. Jennifer Aniston, 50
10. Serena Williams, 38
11. Vicky Pattison, 32
12. Emma Willis, 43
13. Oti Mabuse, 29
14. Gabby Allen, 27
15. Demi Lovato, 27
16. Fleur East, 32
17. Kimberley Walsh, 38
18. Frankie Bridge, 30
19. Jada Sezer, 30
20. Mel C, 45

Notes to Editors:

The Fit List Formula:

Heat’s experts pored over the winners’ training regimes, healthy eating approaches and, crucially, their attitudes to their bodies.  Being a slave to the gym isn’t what secures a Fit List spot – they have to wave the body positivity flag, too.

The Panel:

Laura Hoggins (@laurabiceps)

One of the most positive humans out there, Laura is on a mission to build women’s confidence using weights. Her debut book Lift Yourself will change the way you see the gym and she is currently head of brand at The Foundry, recently voted ‘one of the best gyms in the world’.

Cecilia Harris (@resultswithcecilia)

Alongside business partner Lucy Mecklenburgh, Cecilia has built a huge community of women who follow the Results with Lucy programme. Her holistic approach to fitness involves changing yourself from the inside out.

Alice Liveing (@aliceliveing)

Instagram star Alice has attracted a string of celebrity clients such as Maya Jama, hosts her own monthly Living Well panel events and has had two fitness collections with Primark. Her instagram is an incredible source of fitness knowledge whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

For further information please contact:

Susie Asbury, Acting Communications Director, Bauer Media (Magazines)

E: Susie.asbury@bauermedia.co.uk  M: 07754 758322