A personal trainer and fitness model from Chelmsford is sharing her battle with a chronic illness in hope that it will inspire other women who are also suffering.

Kelly Sephton, 35, was diagnosed with the debilitating illness endometriosis at the age of 23 after more than ten years of chronic pain.

From the age of 11 when her period began, Kelly would often bleed for three weeks with a one-week break. Her doctors put her on the pill and then later in her teenage years she was transferred on to the Depo Provera injection, but nothing seemed to help.

It wasn’t until nearly ten years later, after suffering a miscarriage, that Kelly was diagnosed with endometriosis and advised by her doctors to have a hysterectomy. Endometriosis is where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb is found in other parts of the body.

Kelly said: “It was absolutely horrific. I went completely off the rails. I didn’t tell anyone about it at the time because I wanted to pretend it wasn’t happening. I was in complete denial for six to eight months and hit total self destruction. But I woke up one day and I knew I had to decide which route I was going to take.

“I decided not to have the surgery because I still hold that little bit of hope that I might fall pregnant. I’ve always wanted a family.

“I still have days where I just can’t help but find the whole thing awful, but there are people worse off than me.”

Instead, Kelly took to the internet and began researching way in which she could help herself through health and fitness.

She added: “I used myself as a guinea pig. I cut out all processed food and introduced new foods and as my body fat lowered so did my symptoms.

“Body fat produces oestrogen and oestrogen feeds endometriosis so it’s important to keep refined sugar to a minimum.

“Now I definitely control it most of the time, instead of it controlling me. I’m in pain daily but I’m used to it and, as long as I can still function, I can deal with it.

“I used to get pain for two or three days but now it’s often a few hours. It hits your immune system too, so you always feel fatigued.

“Mind-set plays a massive part - it’s hard to stay positive but exercise really does help.”

Kelly took her new hobby to the next level and entered herself into a bodybuilding competition three months later, which she won. She is now a World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Pro and recently wrote a book inspired by her experience. Kelly is an ambassador for sports nutrition brand USN.

Kelly added: “I just want to help other women who are also suffering. I want them to see that there are other avenues.

“The most important thing is to raise awareness so that diagnosis is quicker.”

Kelly’s book, Kelly’s Kitchen, is full of quick and simple healthy recipes.