The sweet shop slimmers
When Hollie Webb’s mum, Lisa Mallett, invested in a sweet new business, neither could resist temptation. But, after tasting the bitter truth, they’ve lost over 9st between them...
Hollie Webb, 23, from Norfolk, says,
Growing up, I was painfully aware that I was bigger than my classmates. I’ve always loved food – lots of it. Even in primary school, children’s portions were never big enough and I’d spend my lunch money on crisps and chocolate.
But my real downfall came at the point my mum bought a sweet shop, when I was 15. I’d always had a sweet tooth, and her new business let me indulge it. Strawberry bonbons, cola bottles, chocolatecovered raisins… heaven!
When, at 17, I moved into a flat with my childhood sweetheart, Marcus Webb, my eating habits grew worse. Every day, I’d get a large portion of chips with a bread roll from the chippy for lunch. And, whenever I stopped by Mum’s shop, I’d grab a bag of whatever took my fancy.
But, while Marcus worked off our evening takeaways by playing cricket or football, I preferred to lounge on the sofa. By the time I was 20, I was a size 22.
I hated all the things I should have been enjoying. I got hot and bothered whenever I went clothes shopping, and I didn’t like going out because I never had anything to wear.
Even crossing the road was traumatic. Zebra crossings were my own catwalk of shame, allowing the drivers to get a front-row view of just how big I’d become.
Until that point, I’d pushed it to the back of my mind. But, when Marcus and I decided to start trying for a baby, I knew my weight might be a problem. Even if I did get pregnant, what kind of role model would I be for my baby?
So I joined my local Slimming World group. I’d heard from friends it wasn’t just about salads – you could eat pasta and rice, even sweets and chocolate in moderation.
Weighing in at 15st 8lb, I felt dreadful. But I listened to the plan, stuck to the rules – and it worked. Within nine months, I lost 3st, and conceived in autumn 2014.
Mum was delighted for me, but working in the sweet
shop all week meant her own weight had crept up to 12st 2lb. So, she decided to join Slimming World, too.
‘I don’t want to be a fat nanny,’ she laughed.
Despite my best intentions, during my pregnancy I slipped back into my old ways. Crisps, chips and, of course, bags of sweets… to say I was eating for two was putting it kindly.
By the time I was induced, in April 2015, I was over 17st and back in size-20 clothes.
I gave birth to a gorgeous little boy, Felix, via C-section, and was consumed with love. But I also felt ashamed. My son deserved a healthy, happy mum, not someone who’d struggle to keep up with him.
All my resolve flooded back again and, two weeks later, I returned to Slimming World with Mum, where I weighed in at 14st 13lb.
Facing up to it was step one. So I did a huge, healthy food shop and got back on plan.
Having Mum’s support was great. We’d text to see what the other was cooking and, if I ever fancied something I knew was bad for me, she’d talk me out of it.
But I was still allowed treats. I’d have chips with mushy peas, or a packet of sweets from Mum’s shop. I’d just make sure it was a small portion and that I ate healthily for the rest of the week.
In just over a year, I got down to my target weight of 9st 10lb and a size 8. Mum had long since lost 3st and was a size 10. I’m so proud of her – she resists temptation every day, even though it’s all around, stacked in jars everywhere she looks.
Now I’m slim – and happy. Mum and I have become Slimming World consultants, and I’ve even started running.
Best of all, I know that Felix, now two, can be proud of me. I can run around after him, pick him up and chase him in the park. And that’s the sweetest feeling.
Hollie’s mum, Lisa Mallett, 47, says,
‘At 5ft, I spent my life as a size 8-10. I guess that’s why I didn’t really notice Hollie’s weight. I knew she was bigger, but she was growing up as much as she was growing out. When she hit 5ft 7in, we just assumed she had a big frame.
Then, in 2007, I broke up with Hollie’s father. As I struggled with my new role as a single mum, I couldn’t face food, and my weight plummeted.
However, two years later, in 2009, I met Glen online and, within a few months, we’d bought a sweet shop together. Between that and my new contentment, my weight crept up and up.
It wasn’t until Hollie told me she was going to be a mum that I did something about my weight. I joined Slimming World in January 2015, changing my eating habits for good. Within 10 months, I’d lost nearly 3st and was down to 10st 5lb.
You can enjoy sweets for the moment you’re eating them, but nothing tastes as good as being slim, fit and healthy.’