This Morning presenter Josie Gibson has disclosed that she received a lipoedema diagnosis last year, opening up publicly about the chronic health condition for the first time.
The 40-year-old television host shared the news with her followers on Instagram on Friday, posting a workout video alongside her revelation.
“I was diagnosed with lipodema last year which I always knew anyway,” Ms Gibson wrote. “So the fight is real as my body retains fat unlike a normal body should.”
The former Big Brother winner explained she had previously kept the diagnosis private, adding: “I have not shared because I thought it looked pretty obvious anyway.”
Josie Gibson in 2025
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Ms Gibson described herself as someone who is “constantly fighting my genetics” due to the condition.
The footage showed Ms Gibson pushing herself through an intense gym session, running at speed on a treadmill, lifting weights and completing demanding core exercises.
She shared the clip from a gym at the Anantara Mai Khao resort, expressing her admiration for the facilities and noting she would love to create a similar space herself.
“Hope this inspires someone out there…not that I think I’m an inspiration,” Ms Gibson wrote in her caption.
The mother-of-one acknowledged that gyms can feel daunting for many people but emphasised that everyone attending shares the same purpose.
“Gyms can be intimidating sometimes but we are all there for the same reason and I love getting stuck into my own little circuits,” she added.
The NHS describes lipoedema as a long-term condition involving fat and connective tissue that accumulates in the legs, hips, bottom and occasionally the arms.
The condition affects both sides of the body equally and occurs far more frequently in women than in men.
Josie Gibson in 2013
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For those living with lipoedema, symptoms can include pain, tenderness and a sensation of heaviness in affected areas, along with a tendency to bruise easily.
The impact varies considerably between individuals, with some experiencing minimal disruption to their lives while others face significant challenges to their physical health, daily activities and emotional wellbeing.
The exact cause remains unclear, though hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy or menopause may play a role, and the condition can run in families.
Ms Gibson has experienced significant weight fluctuations over the years, having previously transformed from a size 20 to a size eight back in 2014.
Josie Gibson on Big Brother in 2010
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She released two fitness DVDs during that period but the weight gradually returned.
The Bristol-born presenter recently filmed a Channel 5 programme called The 1970s Diet: Could It Work for You?, in which she followed authentic eating and exercise habits from that decade.
Her Instagram post drew warm responses from fellow celebrities and fans alike.
This Morning colleague Jake Quickenden commented: “Get in mate much love.”
Actress Claire Sweeney also offered her support, writing: “Well done darling.” (sic)
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid showed her support as she typed a series of love hearts and muscly emojis.