Losing 10st made me the mum I wanted to be
ALEX FOSTER-PEGG tells us about the amazing impact shedding half her body weight has had on her family
SITTING in my car outside the local community centre in January 2016, I broke down in tears. I’d spent the previous 10 minutes trying to build up the courage to walk into my first Weight Watchers meeting. The truth was I was absolutely terrified of what the scales would say. Yet when my four-month-old daughter Ella started babbling happily in her car seat behind me, I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew I had to do this for her. I’d struggled with my weight since I was a teenager, when I used to secretly scoff crisps in my bedroom. At school I was the jolly big girl and later became a barmaid and chef which was a fun career but terrible for my waistline. I’d pick at food all day and unwind in the evening chatting to customers over pints of lager. Every so often I’d go on a diet and bask in people’s compliments when I lost a few pounds. Yet I always found the aroma of freshly baked rolls or roast potatoes in the restaurant kitchen impossible to resist. Food was a source of comfort for me too. During my first marriage in my 20s I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome which reduces fertility. I had a miscarriage then tried a course of fertility-boosting injections. When that failed I signed up for IVF but the pressure was too great and my marriage fell apart while I was waiting for treatment. Suddenly single, I then struggled with the knowledge that I might never be able to have children. But in 2012 I met David. We were both single and neither had children so we decided to make the best of our lives by socialising, travelling and eating out.
David loved food but never gained weight whereas by the time I got married in 2014 I needed a size-20 dress.
That Christmas I felt absolutely shattered but didn’t know why. Despite thinking it was pointless, I took a pregnancy test and when David and I saw it was positive we were overjoyed.
My pregnancy was difficult as I had terrible morning sickness, raging heartburn and severe pelvic pain but it was all worth it when Ella arrived in September 2015, weighing 7lb 15oz.
Then, shortly after Ella’s birth, I had a lightbulb moment when both sets of grandparents came around to meet her.
My father-in-law was taking pictures of Ella and my family when my mum Pauline said: “You don’t want Alex in there – look at the state of her.”
Trying to be helpful, mum had always nagged me about my weight but what she said that time was a real wake-up call.
I was an older mum – as the midwives kept telling me – and I wanted to be around for my daughter’s wedding day. I realised that if I didn’t tackle my weight, there was a good chance I might not be.
Mum now feels guilty about how blunt she was but it did push me to join Weight Watchers.
At that first meeting I asked the group leader to hide my weight card so I could read it once I’d left. When I got home I looked at it and burst into tears. I weighed 20st 5lb.
Despite how upset it made me, I felt determined and during my first week I lost more than 7lb. As a chef I found the programme easy and would tinker with recipes to make them better for me.
I also spent hours finding healthy alternatives to takeaway meals, making my own versions of curry and stir fries. When I cooked anything I would always make extra to freeze so I had something on hand to eat when I was hungry.
Over time I noticed that greasy foods no longer appealed to me the way they used to, so it became even easier for me to avoid temptation.
I started every day with a good breakfast – a hearty bowl of porridge or baked oats so I didn’t feel tempted to snack. And, because I know how important it is to enjoy a treat now and then, I would have a Chinese meal and a glass of wine at the weekend.
I started exercising too, walking before breakfast with our spaniel Bertie and Ella in her buggy. It helped me physically and mentally and also kept me focused.
I was too intimidated to go to a gym but my slow, 10-minute strolls quickly built up to 30-minute walks and now I often walk three miles. These days I absolutely love it as it’s a great time to chat to Ella and get some fresh air.
I’ve always tried to be really honest with myself – never making excuses for going off track but dealing with wobbles by giving myself a stern talking to. Making sure I allow myself enough me-time has helped me keep a positive mindset too.
THERE have been times when I’ve struggled but whenever I came across an obstacle or felt a bit down, David would gently remind me how brilliantly I’d done. Other members of my Weight Watchers group were also a great source of encouragement.
When I finally reached my goal weight of 10st 1lb in May last year I was over the moon. To celebrate, David bought me a size-10 pink jumper that I proudly wore to my meeting. But when the group leader noticed it she said, “Alex, that’s like a tent on you.” Thrilled, I took it back to exchange for a size eight.
When the shop assistant asked why I was grinning, I explained that it was the first time I’d ever had to return an item of clothing because it was too big.
Another victory was being able to find a pair of brown knee-high boots that zipped up over my calves. Yet the best thing of all is how my weight loss has affected the whole family.
Joining Weight Watchers has been a positive change for all of us and healthy meals are now the norm at home. I’m so glad Ella is growing up with a fit, happy mum.
Now I’ve lost weight I can do anything she wants me to do. I’m able to go to soft play and join in with her and these days I’m the first down the slide at the park.