A TOP female jockey has revealed how her extreme diet stopped her being able to sweat.
And doctors even feared the lengths she went to in order to keep her weight down could have led to swelling on the brain.
Australian star Caitlin Jones, 29, needed to keep at her riding weight of 59kg – around 9st.
But, being naturally ‘stocky’, she had to resort to drastic measures that left her in ‘big trouble’.
The jockey, who previously served a ban for careless riding, said: “I was pushing too hard and overdoing it.
“I was sweating excessively, not eating well. I had no system and no proper diet.
“It got to the stage where I could not sweat, I was so internally dehydrated.
“There was swelling in my face and my balance was being affected.
“I knew I was in big trouble and the doctors were even concerned there could be swelling on the brain.
“The body failed me in the end and it took a long time to recover.”
Now Jones, who made her pro debut in 2013, feels much better about her weight and health, although her routine is still strict.
She limits herself to just one meal a day and satisfies pangs of hunger with coffee and water.
If she has work in the afternoon then she allows herself a snack.
She said: “I’m grateful for everything that is happening for me.
“I’d rather be doing what I am than being where I was three years ago, heavy and unhappy.”
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