Competitive eater, 28, says she keeps trim and healthy by staying fit despite 6,000-calorie feats

October 2024 ยท 4 minute read

A competitive eater who battled with her weight has transformed her figure after taking up food challenges and scoffing up to 6,000 calories in one go.

Leah Shutkever, 28, from Redditch, Worcestershire, has broken records by eating 5lbs burritos, jars of nutella, 1,000 jaffa cakes and a full English breakfast.

But despite the thousands of calories she ingests, she says she remains trim and healthy by exercising since taking up the bizarre challenges.

The fitness fanatic says she was overweight as a youngster and reached her heaviest weight of 12 stone and a size 16 as a teenager.

Leah Shutkever, 28, from Redditch, Worcestershire, dropped from 12 stone in 2006 Leah Shutkever, 28, from Redditch, Worcestershire, dropped to eight stone in 2011 Leah Shutkever, 28, from Redditch, Worcestershire, transformed her figure

Leah Shutkever, 28, from Redditch, Worcestershire, dropped from 12 stone in 2006 (left) to an unhealthy eight stone in 2011 (centre) before transforming her figure by competitive eating (right)

But after battling with her figure she started to count calories and ate a strict diet which saw her drop to an unhealthy eight stone.

She now says the only way to help her maintain her fit and athletic size 10 figure is through her competitive eating hobby.

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Miss Shutkever said: 'I'm a huge believer that your body will represent what you do the majority of the time and for me, I am more fitness than I am competitive eater.

'I lift weights, train hard consistently and I maintain a pretty healthy weight year-round.

'I eat a clean bodybuilding diet most of the time, and this keeps me fuelled and in a calorie deficit.

She now says the only way to help her maintain a fit and athletic figure is by her competitive eating hobby

She now says the only way to help her maintain a fit and athletic figure is by her competitive eating hobby

'Challenges then replace my weekly cheat meal, which actually bring my calories and glycogen stores back up to fuel me for the next week, and jump start my metabolism.

'The only way I'm able to maintain my figure and still do these challenges is because I eat lots of protein and vegetables most of the time.'

After years of battling with her fluctuating figure, Miss Shutkever discovered her love of the gym in 2011 and realised life was all about balance.

Now weighing 12 stone once again, but measuring three dress sizes smaller than before due to muscle, Miss Shutkever wants others to know there really is the chance to 'do it all'.

After years of battling with her fluctuating figure, Ms Shutkever discovered her love of the gym in 2011 and realised life was all about balance After years of battling with her fluctuating figure, Ms Shutkever discovered her love of the gym in 2011 and realised life was all about balance

After years of battling with her fluctuating figure, Ms Shutkever discovered her love of the gym in 2011 and realised life was all about balance

She said: 'When I was younger I was overweight and weighed around 12 stone, but after this I went completely the opposite way and lost too much weight.

'I ended up at around eight stone between the ages of 18 and 21. My mum was a model, and during her career she was 7 st 5lbs, so I aimed to be that weight for a long time.

'It wasn't until I met my ex-boyfriend in 2011, who was really into the gym and bodybuilding, that I properly learnt properly about nutrition and training.

'Over time, I learnt more and more about balance - I restored my passion for good food and really developed the training protocol I enjoyed, which gave me a real escape from life.

Now weighing 12 stone once again, but measuring three dress sizes smaller than before due to muscle, Miss Shutkever wants others to know there really is the chance to 'do it all'

Now weighing 12 stone once again, but measuring three dress sizes smaller than before due to muscle, Miss Shutkever wants others to know there really is the chance to 'do it all'

'I got myself to a size, strength and shape I was confident and happy with, and this allowed me to be more relaxed with my training and nutrition.

'It's now just something I do which works for me and I enjoy it thoroughly.'

The competitive eater went viral after she was filmed eating a 5lbs Mexican feast at the Mission Burrito restaurant in Birmingham in March 2018.

Discussing the challenge, she added: 'I'm very competitive and thrive under pressure.

'I'm pretty confident when it comes to burritos - I find my speed fluctuates in challenges but I refuse to be defeated by food so I don't let any doubt stop me from completing.'    

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