Instagram fitness star Hayley Madigan says eating carbohydrates is the secret to her body transformation

Not all carbs are bad

A fitness blogger and Instagram star says that eating carbs is one of the secrets to her incredible physique.

Hayley Madigan warned that many people wrongly cut out carbohydrates because they “think they are the devil”.

But the 27-year-old revealed that munching slow-release carb like wholegrain bread, quinoa, and oats helped her to work out more effectively and build muscle.

She also busted the myth that watching your weight is important, saying that despite looking amazing she’s currently the heaviest she’s ever been.

She told the Mail Online: “I was always scared to eat carbs so I left them out until the weekend and usually have a cheat day on Sunday and binged on a lot of bad foods.

“I enjoy all carbs now and know I need them to fuel my training as well as stay lean and healthy.”

While a hardcore workout routine is key to her ripped body, the Instagram influencer – with 18,000 followers – says fixing her nutrition is the main factor behind her impressive transformation.

She said: “Regardless of how hard you train - and especially as a woman - you can't out train a bad diet.

“The changes I have made are introducing more slow digesting carbs like oats, quinoa and wholegrain bread.

“I also have more healthy fats such as nut butters, dark chocolate, avocado and salmon.”

She’s a keen advocate of lifting weights, and urged other woman to take it up to feel “empowered” and “full of self-esteem”.

“I feel unstoppable when I am in the gym leg pressing 270kg because I know how amazing it is for my body to be doing such a strong weight and how determined I am to lift such an amount especially as a petite woman,” she added.

She said she’s regularly underestimated in the gym, particularly by men, and says it’s satisfying to surprise them with her lifting prowess.