‘I ate 42 packets of crisps a week!’
Marie Whatley ditched her favourite savoury snack and shed more than eight stone…
Everyone has their go-to food that they love to indulge in – sometimes too much. For me, that was undoubtedly crisps. I could munch my way through six packs a day without giving it a second thought.
But my love of them – and having three kids – saw my weight spiralling upwards until I needed walking sticks to get around. Thankfully, with the help of Weight Watchers, I’ve dropped 8 ½ st, and am fitter and healthier than ever.
Growing up, my weight was never an issue. I was always on the go, exploring on my bike and going to army cadets. But even then, my packed lunches would always include a bag of crisps. I adored them, especially salt and vinegar ones. But as a once-a-day treat, they didn’t do much harm.
By the time I’d reached 16, I briefly joined the Army, and two years later, I met Russell Whatley, then 21, while out clubbing.
Back then I was 10st and a size 12, perfect for my 5ft 5in frame. Russell was outgoing, loyal and always made me feel special.
We loved going for long drives together and having the odd takeaway. Within months, I discovered I was pregnant. We were shocked, nervous but desperately excited, too. Suddenly, I had the perfect excuse to eat what I wanted – and that’s exactly what I did.
I’d skip breakfast, eat calorific sandwiches, yoghurt and cake for lunch, then dinner would be something quick with chips. By the time Luke arrived in September 1999, I’d stacked on 4st.
But, besotted with our baby boy, my weight was the last thing on my mind. While Russell was at work as a butcher, I’d graze on crisps rather than having proper meals. But I must have known it was wrong as I’d always hide the empty bags down the side of the sofa.
It was then my addiction really began. I started doing the weekly shop alone, to ensure I could feed my unwholesome habit and stock up on my favourite multipacks.
Then, in 2001, while I was pregnant with our second child, Russell and I married, and I wore a size-22 dress. The pregnancy was tough on my body and it was a huge relief when Jasmine arrived in May 2002.
I adored our two little ones, but taking care of both of them took up all of my time and I had no chance to exercise. We ate bigger portions of cheesy pasta bakes and Bolognese – all with chips – to get through the days. And then there was my crisp habit… By now, I was regularly getting through 42 packets a week.
My weight continued to creep up until I fell pregnant with our youngest daughter, Holly. When she was born in May 2006, I managed to lose a stone of my baby weight quickly, but it stopped there.
I tried every diet going, but nothing worked and, no matter how good my intentions, I couldn’t cut out crisps. By the time I was a size 24, all my joints hurt, it was a struggle to walk upstairs, and when Luke asked me to play football, I had to say no. I even used two walking sticks to help get around.
During a family holiday to Cornwall in 2014, I felt painfully self-conscious. I thought everyone was judging me, so I wore baggy clothes and took all the photos rather than being in them. I barely recognised the woman I’d become. What had I done to myself ?
So in August that year, I went
‘I’m a new woman… my walking sticks are long gone’
to my GP, who referred me to Weight Watchers. But even before my first meeting, I managed to lose a stone. I couldn’t bear to be weighed the size I was. But that didn’t stop me being so nervous that a friend had to come with me.
Yet, despite being 18st 6lb and a size 26, I needn’t have worried. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive. I cut crisps out completely, made healthier choices and started cooking from scratch.
Weighing and tracking my food became second nature. My weight loss was slow and steady and by July the next year, I was 12st, which spurred me on to start exercising again.
At first it was walking, then running, then I joined the gym and began playing football with Luke. I could do more with the girls, too. Holly loved that I could help out on her school trips – something I’d never have dreamt of before.
Thanks to Weight Watchers, Russell even lost more than 3st with our healthier eating.
Now, at 37, 10st and a size 10, I feel like a new woman. My walking sticks are long gone and I’ve entered a local half-marathon.
Although I’ve given up my favourite food, I can honestly say I don’t miss crisps at all. They were my biggest downfall and now, I’m only going up!