Size 16 for big day much I needed 12
want people to look at me differently from the others so I joined Scottish Slimmers – and was shocked to weigh in at 18st and 3lb in February 2016.
“I realised because I had a lot to lose, that I would need to set myself goals, with the end goal, of course, being Louisa and James’s wedding.
“I’d been so unhappy with myself, so I ate to keep myself happy. I wasn’t bothering with what I’d been eating.”
Khara switched to keeping track of everything she ate, cutting back on portion sizes and using the Scottish Slimmer app to scan barcodes to work out calories and checks.
In the meantime, Khara looked out for bridesmaid dresses at work. She said: “Working at Opus, there are new bridesmaid dresses coming in all the time so I used to squeeze some on and send Louisa pictures to give her ideas on what was in stock.
“There’s a picture of me in a gold dress – squeezing into a size 14. My first goal was to get the zip up on it – and I succeeded eight months after that picture was taken.
“By August, I’d lost two-anda-half stone, so we went to try on bridesmaid dresses together. I’d lost a little weight and got down to a size 16/18, which made it easier.
“I ordered a size 16 even though I knew that meant I’d need to lose a couple of inches.”
A week before the wedding in May, Khara had a fitting with her dress and had to have it taken in to a size 12 as she’d lost so much weight.
She’d lost 10in from her waist, another 10 from her bust and 10 from her hips.
She’s since lost more off her waist and bust and has shed 4st 10lb.
“I got the girls in the shop to measure me before I started so I had my original measurements. I thought it would be a good gauge of how I was doing.
“I thought I might lose a couple of inches and a few pounds, but I still really have to pinch myself to think I have lost nearly 5st and 35in and my bra size has gone from a 38FF to a 32F.”
Khara was even happy to wear a swimming costume at a pool party in Marbella in April for Louisa’s hen.
Khara met boyfriend Neill Cain, 33, a software architect, before her weight loss and he’s supported her throughout.
She added: “He’s been amazing and said he loves me no matter what shape and size I am.” In May, Khara proudly stood next to Louisa and husband James at their wedding at Western House in Ayr.
She said: “I didn’t feel like the bigger bridesmaid. I couldn’t have been happier.
“It was a wonderful day and I felt so comfortable as the dress fitted me like a glove and showed off my weight loss. I feel like a completely different person.” “The real me before weight loss was insecure and sad. Now I look in the mirror and love the person looking back at me.” ● For more information about Scottish Slimmers, log on to www.scottishslimmers.com ● Bridal wear from www.opuscouture.co.uk
It was a wonderful day and I felt comfortable as the dress fitted me like a glove