Crunch time
After a reality check from her GP, Kaitlin Liney, 22, from Lincoln, turned her life around…
Sighing as I looked in the mirror at my size22 body, I tried to shrug the negative thoughts aside.
On the surface, life was good. At 20 years old, I was a happy, bubbly and young girl.
In 2018, I had a place studying Animal Management at Riseholme College, Lincoln, and a brilliant group of friends.
Only, my relationship with food wasn’t healthy.
I was an emotional eater, and during times of stress, I’d binge junk food – crisps, chocolate, biscuits.
I just didn’t know how to stop myself.
‘Do Do you really need that?’ my mum Rachel, 45, would ask gently, when I ordered a takeaway pizza after dinner. ‘I’m still hungry,’ I told her.
Am I really? I’d ask myself. Desperate to cover my tracks, I began secretly sneaking food up to my room.
Waiting for everyone to go to bed at night, I tiptoed into the kitchen and grabbed a multipack of cheese and onion crisps.
Wolfing them down, I enjoyed every mouthful, the saltiness zinging across my tongue. Then when the packets were empty, it hit me – the guilt I would get after a binge.
It was a horrible feeling. My weight always haunted me, but never enough to do
I ate a multipack of crisps in one go
something about it.
Then in June 2018, I had a reality check that forced me to change my food habits…
‘I’m worried I’ve got tonsillitis,’ I told my GP.
My GP prescribed me with some mild antibiotics, and then addressed the large elephant in the room.
‘I think we should discuss your weight,’ he said.
‘You’re 20st 2lbs, which makes you morbidly obese judging by your BMI scores.’
I felt my face flush crimson with embarrassment.
‘I would suggest trying to address it before your health suffers,’ he said.
Tears stung my eyes as I hurried out of the room.
When I got home, I fell into Mum’s arms, distraught.
‘Maybe this is a turning point for you?’ she said, squeezing me tightly.
She was right.
My eating habits were unhealthy, and I was at risk of a heart attack if I didn’t do something about it.
Ordering workout clothes online, I signed up to my local fitness gym.
The following week, I drove to the gym car park with all the best intentions.
Only, when I pulled up outside, I was scared stiff.
You can do it! I told myself, sat in the car.
Watching the sporty, fitness people hurrying in and out of the glass doors, I felt a world away from home.
I was nervous.
I pictured them all laughing at my curvy frame attempting
to exercise.
I can’t do it! I cried. Turning the car back around, I drove straight home in tears.
After an honest chat with a close friend, we agreed to do it together.
Having a gym partner made everything seem less daunting.
So, the very next week, I finally step foot in the gym for the first time.
Nervously looking round at the machines, I felt self-conscious.
Then once I’d began working out, the endorphins took over.
I didn’t care what other people thought about me. It’s time to focus on myself!
After introducing exercise into my lifestyle, it was time to tackle my diet.
The late-night binging and multipack crisps needed to go.
‘Why don’t you try the local Slimming World group?’ Mum suggested to me.
Feeling inspired, I signed up to Slimming World and found myself sat in a room full of other slimmers.
Thankfully, everyone was so lovely and welcoming!
And the diet structure suited
my lifestyle.
‘I just want to lose a couple of stone before my birthday,’ I told my consultant.
I had six months until I turned 21, and if I could shift 2st, I’d be happy.
At home, I began counting my syns and padding my meals out with speed foods.
‘That looks delicious!’ Mum said, eyeing up my healthy stir fry dinner.
I was eating good, and feeling even better.
My clothes were looser, and I wasn’t struggling to get around as much.
Looking in the mirror one day, I noticed that I’d lost weight on my face.
My jaw was more defined, and made me feel pretty.
I smiled – thinking how far I’d come.
Just weeks ago, I’d faced the facts at my GP.
Now, a healthy lifestyle was second nature.
Once I was in the swing of things, exercise started to become enjoyable.
Signing myself up to classes, I tried circuit training, pump, kettlebells, and Pilates. When my 21st birthday came around in November 2018, I’d beat my goal by a mile. ‘You’ve lost 5st in six months!’ my Slimming World consultant said. I’d smashed my target and enjoyed every single birthday celebration. Over the next year, I lost another 4st – a total of 9st in just 18 months. Near the end, it was difficult shaking off the extra pounds.
When I was stressed, the weight didn’t budge. And I put more pressure on myself.
‘But I’m eating healthy!’ I complained to Mum. ‘Stop worrying about it,’ she said. If it happens, then it happens! I told myself positively.
Once I’d taken the pressure off, the last few pounds dropped off.
It was like my body telling me to relax!
Now, my diet is very varied. I still follow Slimming World, and I tend to spread my syns out throughout the day.
My go-to breakfast is
I’ve really come out of my shell now
Dairylea cheese on wholemeal brown toast.
Then I’ll have a chicken salad and an apple for lunch.
I’ll snack on Pom-bears – luckily, there’s still room for crisps in my diet.
And then I’ll whip up something tasty for tea, like a chicken and chorizo paella.
If I’m going to treat myself, I’ll probably have chocolate.
My taste buds have changed and I definitely have more of a sweet tooth.
Clothes shopping is a whole new ballgame.
I’m a dress size 10 and it’s exciting choosing outfits.
At 11st 2lbs, I’m so much happier than I was at 22st.
The biggest difference has been my confidence.
I’ve really come out of my shell and grown into a more confident and sociable person.
Looking back, I feel so grateful that my GP addressed my weight, and gave me a reality check.
I needed that life-changing moment to motivate me.
I’ve gone from a couch potato to a social butterfly – all by myself.
And I’ll never look back!