Maya Jama has long been hailed as a quintessential British beauty icon, but her journey to maintaining one of the most envied physiques in show business is far more nuanced than it appears.

This week, the 31-year-old Love Island host sent social media into a frenzy, showcasing her toned silhouette in a pale green bikini and embracing her natural curls.

However, behind the glamorous Instagram snaps lies a refreshing and candid conversation about body image, weight gain struggles, and a high-tech approach to fitness.

Currently in a high-profile relationship with footballer Ruben Dias, Maya is navigating the pressures of fame while being vocal about a topic rarely discussed by celebrities: the desire to gain weight rather than lose it.

In an era dominated by rumors of weight-loss injections, Maya Jama is setting the record straight.

While many celebrities face accusations of using Ozempic to maintain slim frames, Maya has been transparent about her “naturally marga” (a Patois term for skinny) genetics.

“I don’t love that since Ozempic, anyone that’s slim, they’re like Ozempic, Ozempic, Ozempic,” she recently shared with her followers.

Following a severe bout of food poisoning that caused her to lose a stone in weight, Maya has been on a dedicated “weight gain mission.”

Unlike the typical Hollywood narrative of calorie restriction, the presenter is actively working to achieve a “curvier, thicker” look through a combination of strategic eating and heavy lifting.

The Maya Jama Diet: ‘Carbs and Vibes’

Maya’s approach to nutrition is a far cry from the restrictive “green juice” culture of the elite.

She famously joked that her diet consists of “carbs and vibes,” particularly during grueling 70-hour travel stints for her international presenting gigs.

From indulging in McDonald’s and full English breakfasts to savoring pasta and wine, Maya credits her fast metabolism for her ability to enjoy “unhealthy” treats.

She is a vocal advocate for the “posh chicken shish kebab” as the ultimate hangover cure—a nod to her roots in Bristol.

However, her current goal involves eating late at night to help “fill out” her frame, a method she admits might not be traditional medical advice but works for her specific body type.

Pilates, Power, and Consistency

Despite her relaxed attitude toward food, Maya’s commitment to movement is non-negotiable. Her workout regime is a sophisticated blend of low-impact toning and high-intensity strength training.

1. The Reformer Pilates Craze
Like many A-listers, Maya has joined the “Pilates wave,” frequently attending sessions at Nobu London. She favors Reformer Pilates because it targets every muscle group without leaving her “drenched in sweat,” making it a perfect midday workout between filming segments.

2. The ‘Big Three’ Exercises
When she hits the gym with her personal trainer, Warren Whitely, Maya focuses on three fundamental movements that she claims have transformed her strength:

• Squats: Vital for glute development and lower body power.
• Push-ups: Her secret weapon for core stability and upper body definition.
• Ankle Weight Kickbacks: A staple for firming and toning the lower body.

3. Quality Over Quantity
Influenced by personal trainer Alice Liveing during a work trip to South Africa, Maya adopted a “quality over quantity” mindset.

She prioritizes waking up early to “get in the zone” before arriving on set, ensuring that even on her busiest days, her physical and mental health are prioritized.

While sweat and squats play their part, Maya also utilizes cutting-edge aesthetic technology. For over eight years, she has been a loyal client of skin and body expert Shane Cooper.

A key component of her “Love Island ready” routine is the Body Defining Treatment. This non-invasive procedure uses electromagnetic waves to induce up to 36,000 supra-maximal muscle contractions in a single session.

Targeted at the stomach and thighs, the treatment simultaneously burns fat and builds muscle fibers.

While prices vary by clinic, similar high-end treatments are typically valued at approximately £399 per session.

Beyond the aesthetic results, Maya emphasizes the psychological benefits of her active lifestyle. She admits that the difference in her mental clarity when she exercises versus staying in bed all day is profound.

When she can’t get to the gym, she maintains a “home workout vibe”—opting for stairs over lifts and dancing around her house to stay active.

In a world obsessed with perfection, Maya Jama’s “real-world” approach—balancing high-end sculpting treatments with late-night kebabs and a genuine struggle to maintain weight—offers a more relatable perspective on what it means to be a modern beauty icon.