Super slimmer: “My friends didn’t recognise me after losing 12st!”
A family tragedy left Laura Neil’s weight spiralling. But with help, she ditched her bad habits and has lost over half her body weight
When Laura Neil catches her reflection in the mirror, she still pinches herself. She can hardly believe that the confident, happy woman she sees is really her.
Just six years ago, the 32 year old was at an all-time low. Following the death of her beloved dad, she turned to food for comfort and soon weighed in at 22st.
Now, Laura has lost an amazing 12st – more than half her body weight – and is happier and healthier than she’s ever been.
Laura, 32, who lives in Falkirk with her fiancé, Garry, and her daughter, Esme, five, says, “After my dad died, I was deeply depressed. I didn’t want to do anything, or see anyone, and I gained 5st in a year.
But I’m so glad I’m out of that dark place now and I’ve turned my life around.
GRIEF
“I love getting dressed up and going out. I have so much more energy and I’m a better mum to my daughter. Losing weight was the best thing I ever did.”
Laura was 20 when her dad, John, was tragically diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010. She explains, “It was a huge shock.
We were told he had 18 months to live, but he died 11 months later, just four days after my 21st birthday. The pain was unbearable, and in the months that followed, I was consumed by grief.
“I spent almost all of my time at home, and food was my only comfort. I’d skip meals throughout the day, but in the evening, I’d binge. I’d start with a takeaway, washed down with fizzy drinks, followed by sweets and chocolate. My family and friends would try to encourage me to go out and socialise, but I wasn’t interested.
“In just one year, I’d put on 5st and the weight just kept creeping up. My mum would buy new clothes for me, but she never told me what size they were, and I didn’t look.”
Then, in 2014, Laura attended a family wedding.
She says, “I was dreading it. I had to go shopping for a dress, and it was then that I realised I was a size 24. I felt awful. I eventually bought a floaty midi-dress, but I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed. I hadn’t seen some of the other guests for a few years and I knew people would be shocked by how much weight I’d put on.”
A few weeks after the big day, photos were uploaded to Facebook. She says, “I cried when I saw the picture of me. It was the first step towards accepting that I needed to make a change.”
Desperate to get her weight under control, Laura went to the GP. She says, “I was really honest with the doctor and told her that my weight was affecting my physical and mental health.
MOTIVATION
“I explained that just sitting up in bed would leave me breathless, and that my periods had stopped.
“That’s when she told me that if I didn’t lose weight, I wouldn’t be able to have kids. I’d been with my then-partner since we were teenagers, and the idea that we wouldn’t have been able to have children was horrific.
“It was yet more motivation to lose weight.”
So, in December 2014, Laura
signed up to Scottish Slimmers. She says, “When I stepped on the scales at my first meeting, At 5ft 7 I weighed 22st 7lbs. I was just so disappointed in myself, but I vowed that I’d never be this heavy again.
“Armed with information on healthy eating and portion control, I was able to swap my favourite takeaways for low
I USED TO HATE LEAVING THE HOUSE – NOW I LOVE GOING OUT WITH MATES
calorie options. I started eating proper meals, like porridge with raspberries for breakfast, and vegetable soup for lunch.
PREGNANCY
“I also joined a gym and started going to Zumba classes. Walking through the doors for the first time was a bit nerve-wracking, but I was so determined. I knew that going to the gym would speed up my weight-loss, so I had to bite the bullet. And after a week or so, it just became routine. In the first week, I lost 7lbs. After that, the weight continued to drop off.”
By December 2015, Laura was 14st 12lbs and was over the moon when she fell pregnant. She says, “My ex-partner and I were so happy. I was a little bit nervous about how pregnancy might affect my weight, but the doctors told me that I should stick to my plan, as the healthy, nutritious meals would be better for the baby. And weirdly, my only cravings were cucumber and iced water!
“By the time Esme was born in May 2016, I’d put on a stone, but I wasn’t worried. Having a healthy daughter was more important, and I felt confident that I could keep losing weight when I was ready. I’d take Esme out for long walks in her pram, and I was surprised by how much energy I had.”
After three years, in July 2018, Laura was thrilled when she reached her target weight of 10st 5lbs. She says, “It was an amazing feeling. Not only did I look completely different, but I was so much happier and confident.
“And because I had combined my healthy eating with working out at the gym, I was lucky not to have any issues with excess skin, apart from around my tummy. I was so proud of myself.”
CONFIDENCE
Now, Laura loves nothing more than getting glammed up for a night out. She says, “I used to hate leaving the house, but now I love going out with mates. Sometimes, I’ll bump into friends I haven’t seen in a while, and they don’t recognise me, which is a really nice feeling.
“Sadly, Esme’s dad and I separated, but with my newfound confidence, I really enjoyed dating. I met my fiancé, Garry, in early 2020, and we got engaged in April this year.
“I can go to the park with Esme, run around after her and take her swimming. I’d have never been able to do that before. I’d love to have more children with Garry.
“Losing weight wasn’t easy, but it’s been life-changing.
Now I want to inspire others – I’m proof that you can turn your life around.”