My Photoshoot Journey - Stepping out of my comfort zone

From August 2024 to May 2025, I lost 19kg — but this journey wasn’t just about weight loss. It was about setting a challenge completely outside my comfort zone, committing to a goal, and pushing myself in a way I hadn’t done before.

I’ve always been drawn to physical challenges. 

• 200,000m on the SkiErg? Absolutely. 

• A 24-hour team sledathon? Count me in.

•  Row/bike/ski and sled push for 24 hours? Sign me up.

• 
  

But this? Dieting down, tracking every bite, removing all my hair, getting a spray tan, being oiled up and posing for photos — this was not my usual territory. And yet, I can genuinely say it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

Where It Started

Back in October 2024, I signed up with coach Paul Standell. I’d already dropped a few kilos by that point, starting at 94kg in August and weighing in at 89kg by the end of September. Paul mentioned doing a photoshoot — something I’d never considered before. 

Enjoying a challenge I went all in.

From there, the weight loss was steady:

• October: down to 85kg

• November: down to 82.5kg

• December: maintained weight through most of December but gained weight over Christmas

• January: started at 86kg, finished at 81kg

• February: hit 79.4kg – first time seeing the 70s on the scale in years

• March: 77.4kg

• April: 76.4kg

• Final weigh-in: 75.6kg in May

Throughout the process, I trained hard. In fact, I only missed 2–3 gym sessions in 6 months. I’d say I was at 100% effort in training and around 75–80% on the nutrition side. I’m only human, after all. 

I love eating out, cake, and a really good ale or stout. But that balance allowed me to enjoy life while still making serious progress.

The Tough Bits

The hardest part wasn’t the training. It was the food noise. I was so hungry at times that all I could think about was food. I’d scroll Instagram for over an hour just looking at recipes, sweet, savoury, anything. 

I even started asking gym members what they were having for dinner, just so I could live (and pretend to eat) vicariously through them. 

I kept meals simple and repetitive to reduce decision fatigue, saving most of my calories for a bigger evening meal to help with cravings.

Oh, and did I mention I was training for a marathon at the same time?

Of all the fitness events, competitions, and challenges I’ve done over the years, the marathon is right up there. Maybe even the highlight. Not because of a finish time, a medal, or a place but because of everything that happened before, during, and after those 26.2 miles.

If you don’t fancy reading the whole blog here are the key bits:

I ran the whole 26.2 miles in 4hrs 43 mins

I felt great after.

Fainted on the tram home. 

My full run down is here: 

https://www.johnwarburtonfitness.co.uk/post/my-first-manchester-marathon-an-unforgettable-day

Yes, running a marathon while in a calorie deficit isn’t something I’d necessarily recommend. But I did it  and just 10 days after crossing that marathon finish line, I was stepping in front of the camera for the shoot.

The food

A common mistake people will often make when looking to drop bodyfat is still trying to keep the same amount of variety in their foods.

However, reducing the variety really helps as you reduce how many decisions you need to make. When you are tired and hungry, trust me this is a good thing.

Towards the end of my prep for the shoot a typical day's food would look as follows:

Breakfast - Whey protein shake, Apple

Lunch - Chicken salad

Dinner - Chicken and roast veg

Whilst this can seem boring I ensured there was a lot of flavour in each meal and I really looked forward to each one.

I am certain my tastebuds INCREASED massively as foods just tasted that bit better. Either that or it was the Psychological element making my brain think everything was mouth wateringly good.

The Training

By far the easiest part for me. I have trained since I was 15. I have competed in powerlifting, completed obstacle courses, races, 24 hour charity events etc so I knew the training would be covered.

My training throughout the prep was as follows:

Monday: Upper session

Tuesday: Lower Session

Wednesday: Run session

Thursday: Upper session

Friday: Lower session

Saturday: Rest day

Sunday: Long run session

Towards the end of the prep, energy was a lot lower and so a lot of the sessions became a tick box. I just got in and got the sessions done.

As my weight dropped though my running just got better and better. So even though my energy levels were lower I was still able to put some great runs in.

Behind the Shoot

A week out from the shoot, I did something I’ve never done before: I shaved my entire body — legs, arms, chest, the lot. 

I wanted to test how my skin reacted before I went full fake tan. Turns out, it’s way harder than it looks. Big respect to the ladies who do this regularly.

At the same time, I started a daily routine of moisturising and exfoliating to prepare my skin for the tan. Again, totally out of my comfort zone, but I was committed to seeing this process through properly.

On Tuesday 6th May, I headed down to Nottingham for my spray tan with Gemma at MistMeUK (check her out here). I checked into the Premier Inn and waited for my 4pm appointment, not entirely sure what to expect. I’ve only ever known myself as "porcelain white."

Seriously, I think I may be Casper the ghost's brother.

Gemma walked me through everything, which helped calm my nerves. Before I left, she told me I’d fall in love with the look. Honestly, I didn’t believe her… but she was right.

The tan, along with being hair-free made my physique look leaner and more defined. That night, I caught myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe it was me. Partly because I was a different colour, but mostly because I was amazed by the difference I had made.

The next morning, I stepped into the shower and let the water run until it was clear, just as instructed. I panicked at first, thinking I’d washed it all off, I even messaged Becki to ask if that was meant to happen to that amount which she didn’t think it should.

I thought I had messed up but I still had some white bits so all was good.

Shoot Day

I arrived at the shoot, hungry and thirsty after 12–14 hours of eating and drinking very little. 

There were 19 of us taking part, and we all gathered in the cafe next door before heading into the studio. We all felt the same,  hungry, slightly uncomfortable, but excited for the day ahead.

And the most awkward part? 

It wasn’t stripping down for the shoot, it was rubbing oil all over ourselves and helping each other get the spots they couldn’t reach. That was a first for us all I believe.

To bring out our muscles and get that extra pop for the shots, we did a bit of a pump-up session just before going in front of the camera. 

This was another of those moments where I looked in the mirror and surprised myself. I didn’t look like me, I even thought I looked like a physique from the cover of Men's health. 

One of the best things to happen on the day was one of the lads' partners had selflessly baked for 16 hours and brought in a load of amazing treats. Biscoff cake, brownies, rocky roads. I’m telling you, these were next level.

Once our photos were done, we hit the cafe again. 

My first real meal was a club sandwich, chips, followed by many (many) cakes. Later that night, we all got together for food and drinks — double burgers, loaded fries, and one too many pints for me. I felt rough as toast the next morning.

What was truly amazing was despite being in a group of 19 fitness professionals, a space that can be known for ego, the day and night were full of genuine, good people. No egos, no drama. Just a great experience with solid humans.

What I Learned from the Process:

1. Food noise is real.

 No wonder people struggle with fat loss. It’s not always about willpower, it’s about having a clear goal, accountability, and a plan in place for when things get tough.

2. Abs aren’t everything, but they help.

 Being lean boosted my confidence and surprisingly being a lot leaner improved my running. No shock lighter = more efficient.

3. Hunger isn’t just physical.

 It’s psychological and habitual too. This process reminded me of that in a big way.

4. Consistency trumps perfection.

 I overate on several occasions, didn’t always stick to the plan, and still lost 19kg. The key? I stayed consistent over time.

5. Don’t run a marathon and do a shoot 10 days apart.

 Lesson learned. The marathon needed fuel; the shoot needed restriction. I wasn’t optimal for either, but I made it work.

6. Make your calories count.

 When you’re dieting hard, don’t waste calories on stuff that’s not worth it. Even now, post-shoot, I still apply that principle.

7. Step out of your comfort zone.

 I won’t be rushing to get another spray tan, but I don’t regret the experience for a second. Growth often hides behind discomfort.

8. Fat loss takes longer than you think.

 Give yourself enough time. Don’t underestimate how long it takes to get genuinely lean.

9. Don’t mess around with small deficits.

 Forget trying to make your diet "easy." Fat loss isn’t easy. Create a big enough deficit, push hard, and get to your goal faster. Then get out and get back to maintenance.

This process pushed me physically and mentally, but I’m proud of the outcome and grateful for what I learned. Not just about fat loss, but about myself.

What’s Next?

This photoshoot was a personal milestone, something I’ll look back on with pride. I’ve ticked a box I never expected to even write down. 

So for me it is straight onto the next goal, an Ultra Marathon on the 27th September 2025.

What else do you want to know?

 I’d love to answer any questions you have about this journey — the training, the nutrition, the mindset, or anything in between. 

If you’re considering doing something similar, or just want to challenge yourself in a new way, I’d be happy to share more.