Obese student called ‘thunder thighs’ by bullies sheds six stone to become fitness model

“I never used to show my legs but now I love how big and muscular they are”

Meghan Gilbert has transformed into a fitness model by shedding almost a third of her body weight

A student who was bullied for having "thunder thighs" has transformed into a fitness model by shedding almost a third of her body weight.

Meghan Gilbert, 21, from Dallas, Texas, saw her weight spiral out of control to 200lbs (15st) after she developed a binge eating disorder and began being taunted by classmates who would say her legs "jiggled" so much that 'thunder struck' whenever she entered a room, the Daily Mail reports.

Diagnosed with anxiety and depression which was worsened by the bullying, Gilbert knew something had to change after seeing how unhappy she looked in her senior school photographs.

Now, she has dramatically transformed her life by dropping to a toned 137lbs (9st 11lbs) and becoming a fitness model and social media personality.

“I see my legs as a strong point, before I never used to wear shorts or show my legs but now I love how big and muscular they are,” she said.

“Now if anyone tells me my legs are huge I can say I have “thunder thighs” in a positive way.

“People used to use it against me as something bad but now I body build I see it as a good thing, they are strong, muscular and something to be proud of.”

While she was overweight as a child, Gilbert believes her binge eating began after going on an all-you-can-eat cruise, where she would eat multiple servings of lasagne and six bowls of ice cream in one sitting.

But, after moving back home she started to work out daily in her local park before getting a personal trainer and falling in love with exercise.

“At first it was hard, but I knew I had to push through it and grew to love working out, I believe hard times make you grow.

“I learned to eat the right foods and the correct amount too, I started strength training and began to love exercising.”

The young model now shares her fitness journey on Instagram inspiring many others to transform the way they look.

Gilbert says that the weight loss has completely changed her body shape, and even her face leaving her feeling like a new person.

“Before I didn't wear shorts outside because I hated myself too much, now I can go outside in a bathing suit and feel confident that I'm beautiful.

“I see my legs as my strongest point and the asset I'm most proud of, I work on them all the time, while I still have some fat I love them.”