Tuesday, 8 December 2009

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Joe McElderry: Computers made me chubby

The X Factor singer did no exercise

Joe McElderry's mentor is fellow Geordie Cheryl Cole

Joe McElderry has revealed he used to be a bit of a couch potato.

The X Factor finalist admits he was overweight before he addressed his eating habits.  

‘About two years ago, I lost two stone in weight,' explains Joe, now 18.

‘At 15 I decided to start a healthy eating plan. It was prompted by just feeling I didn't have any energy.

‘I was an active child, but when I hit my teens I discovered computers and the weight just piled on.'

Joe took up jogging and eventually shed the extra pounds.  

‘One day I suddenly looked in the mirror and thought "Oh my god, I have a flat stomach,"' he tells Great Ormond Street Hospital's Teens First For Health. ‘It was amazing.

'I would never let myself get back to that weight now. I'm not saying I don't fluctuate from week to week, but I am much more aware of my body now and listen to it.'

SEE PICTURES The X Factor: Where are they now?

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