Roly-poly COASTER
Zoey Patrick, 30, from Worcester, was mortified when she couldn’t fit on a ride…
Active as a teenager, into ballet and tap, I was a size-12 when I first met my fiancé, Jack Dunham, then 21.
Formerly primary school chums, we were reintroduced by a mutual pal in 2017 and fell in love.
Soon pregnant, I had our first daughter Keira in August 2008.
At six-months-old, Keira developed osteomyelitis, a dangerous, rare condition that inflames bone marrow.
It’s usually found in children in underdeveloped countries, but somehow Keira had contracted it.
My baby was battling for her life!
I kept a bedside vigil at Southampton General Hospital for months.
My waistline was the last thing on my mind as I lived on sugary energy drinks and vending machine snacks, curries or Chinese takeaways, to keep going. Thankfully, Keira was discharged before Christmas, but we then still had to juggle numerous hospital appointments. I had our second daughter, Darci, in November 2011 and, finally, Keira was given the all-clear in early 2014. As for my figure? The damage was done. I’d been a size-14 after having Keira, but now I’d grown
to a size-20.
At 5ft 9in tall, I thought I carried it well, but on a family trip to Legoland in August 2014, I climbed on a ride with Keira, then five, and Darci, two…
Lowering the safety bar, it wouldn’t fit over my bulging belly!
Mortified, rather than ‘fess up, I risked it and held the bar down as the gentle ride went round.
‘I must lose weight,’ I cried to Jack after.
That September, I spotted a local Slimming World evening class – I weighed in at 14st 12lb.
Ditching takeaways, I snacked on fat-free yoghurts and used low-cal spray to cook lean chicken stir-fires.
Shedding 1 stone in six weeks, 11 months on, I finally hit 10st!
Now I’m a size-8, maintaining 9st 10lb.
I’ve not returned to Legoland with the kids yet, but I plan to soon.
This time, my bod will be a perfect fit!