It’s all about Eve
Michelle Robertson At almost 23st, knew she had to slim down if she was to give her baby daughter the life she wanted…
‘Jump higher, Mummy, higher!’ squeals my three-and-a-halfyear-old daughter, my darling Eve, as I join her on the bouncy castle.
It’s hard to believe that, only a few years ago, I would have been breathless just attempting the short walk to our local park, never mind actually joining in the fun.
At 5ft 7in and 22st 10lb, I was morbidly obese. I wore a dress size 28-30, and even the simplest tasks were becoming a struggle.
I’d started putting on weight as soon as I hit puberty, but it was when I left home to go to university in Huddersfield, aged 18, that my weight really crept up… and up.
Not being a confident cook, I’d rely on microwave meals and takeaways. It didn’t get any better when I started work as a primary school teacher.
I didn’t plan ahead, so I was constantly grabbing whatever I could, just to keep going – whether that was shop-bought sandwiches laden with mayonnaise, or biscuits and cakes from the staff room.
There was no doubt that I was overweight and my eating was out of control. I couldn’t stop myself – or, at least, it felt like that.
I tried calorie-counting, but I was just so hungry all the time. And miserable. I’d have my tea by 4pm and would spend the rest of the night at home in Leeds, hungry and desperate for more food.
When I married my husband, Dave, in 2012, I was up to dress size 24. I’d managed to lose a few stone for the big day. I wasn’t as big when I first met Dave, who works front-of-house at Harrogate Theatre, but he always said he didn’t care about my weight.
But, when I fell pregnant with Eve in 2015, I was so dangerously overweight that the midwives had to monitor me throughout the pregnancy. I must have weighed more than 23st. Every time I was weighed, I begged them not to tell me the result.
I spent what should have been a happy, exciting time feeling frightened that my body wouldn’t actually be able to cope.
Luckily, everything was fine and Eve was born, weighing a perfect 8lb, in November 2015.
Looking down at my new daughter, I knew I would do anything for her. This precious little bundle, so innocent and helpless, was reliant on me for everything.
But, even as I cuddled Eve for the first time – a magical moment I’ll never forget – one thought kept creeping back into my mind like a black cloud… “How can I be a good mum to my daughter when I’m unhealthy and unfit?”
But it was just a few weeks before Christmas and I had a newborn baby. I pushed that thought away and got stuck into the festive chocolate, the mince pies… and, well, everything I could get my hands on.
It was in the New Year, in January 2016, that I had what I call my light-bulb moment.
I’d been playing with Eve on the floor and I’d struggled to get up. If I was getting out of breath just trying to heave myself up off the floor, how was I ever going to cope with an energetic toddler?
Then the tears came. When I’d first held her, I’d promised to give her the best life possible. To be the best mum possible.
Who was I kidding? I was dangerously overweight – I could hardly play with her. And who knows what the more serious health implications were?
I decided, there and then, that I had to do something about my situation.
If I was prepared to die for my daughter, I had to be prepared to lose some weight for her.
I found a local Slimming World group. Everyone says walking through the door for the first time is the hardest part, and it is. I felt ashamed of myself – I felt sure I’d be the biggest person there.
But I needn’t have worried. Everyone was so warm and friendly. Nobody was judgemental. They were all there for the same reason.
The support helped, and the advice. No more takeaways and junk food. I started cooking from scratch and, to my surprise, I enjoyed it.
The weight started to drop away. I lost more than 6lb that first week. And I can honestly say I never looked back. I was a woman on a mission.
I was pleased with my progress, but I didn’t feel really proud of myself until I had lost 5st. I started to
enjoy clothes shopping again and got a buzz from all the compliments.
I’d never felt better, and my energy levels shot up. As Eve learned to walk and run, I was able to keep up with her.
In December 2017, I reached my target weight of 11st 5lb. I’ve lost 11st 5lb – half my original body weight. It felt surreal. I’d really done it!
Now, I wear a size 12. At 37, I feel like I’ve got my life back. To celebrate, a friend arranged for me to have a photoshoot – in the vintage style I love.
I would never have agreed to something like that before. I’d have worried the clothes wouldn’t fit me, and I hated having my picture taken. But my new, slim self loved it!
I’ve even become a parttime Slimming World consultant, and I love helping other people get to their ideal target weight.
My husband is thrilled – but I always say he loved me before, during and after.
By far the best thing is losing the guilt and shame I’d felt because I knew I was letting Eve down. Now, I feel I can finally be the mum I want to be.
‘I lost half my original body weight. I’d done it!’