TULUNGAGUNG – A woman from Tulungagung has gained attention after transforming herself from struggling with obesity into a professional personal trainer, inspiring many people around her to adopt a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise and disciplined living.
Putri Habiba Khusnul Laila, better known as Ella, began her journey with one simple motivation: improving her health. The 32-year-old resident of Jabalsari Village in Sumbergempol District once reached a body weight of 78 kilograms, a condition that often left her exhausted during daily activities.
“I used to get tired very easily. That was when I started thinking seriously about living healthier and returning to my ideal weight,” Ella said on Saturday.
Instead of relying on instant methods, Ella slowly changed her lifestyle. She started exercising regularly in March 2024 and committed herself to maintaining a healthier routine. Her consistent effort gradually produced visible results, not only through weight loss but also through increased confidence, stamina, and physical fitness.
As her transformation became more noticeable, people around her began asking questions about her routine and fitness habits. Some of her friends later joined gym sessions after seeing her progress firsthand. That experience eventually encouraged Ella to enter the fitness industry as a personal trainer.
Ella believes coaching requires more than technical knowledge. According to her, trainers must also become examples for their clients by maintaining discipline and consistency in their own routines.
“As a trainer, I have to continue training consistently. I need to become a source of motivation while understanding each client’s goals and progress,” she explained.
Even with her responsibilities as a housewife, Ella continues to maintain a balanced lifestyle. She trains four times a week, monitors her nutritional intake carefully, prioritizes protein consumption, and ensures she gets enough rest.
She stressed that exercise alone does not determine body transformation results. Nutrition, she said, remains the biggest factor in achieving long-term fitness goals.
“About 70 percent of the results come from what we eat. The rest comes from exercise and rest,” Ella said.
Although she now works in the fitness field, Ella admitted that maintaining consistency still presents challenges. However, she encourages beginners not to feel intimidated by workout routines because short training sessions can already deliver benefits when done regularly.
“Exercise does not need to take hours. Thirty to 45 minutes is enough. The key is consistency. Once it becomes a habit, people usually start enjoying it,” she added.
For Ella, healthy living goes far beyond physical appearance. She sees fitness as a long-term investment that allows her to stay healthy and active for her family, especially her child.
“Many mothers say they are willing to sacrifice everything for their children. I want to stay healthy for my child instead. I want to remain fit, youthful, and avoid serious illnesses,” she said.
Looking ahead, Ella hopes her story can motivate more women to start exercising without fear or embarrassment. She also wants to challenge the negative stigma that still surrounds gym culture in some communities, particularly toward women.
“Many people still think gyms carry a negative image, especially for women. In reality, women need exercise to protect their health and improve their quality of life,” she said.