It happened to me
Trapped in a cycle of overeating, Megan Mcgee reveals her astonishing transformation
I took up two seats on the bus, so I lost 5st!
When I glance at these photos, I can’t believe how different I look. at my biggest, I was a size 22, and while I’m smiling, it’s forced, hiding my discomfort at being in front of the camera. But in the photo on the right, having lost 5st I look – and feel – like a different woman…
At school, I played netball and basketball and enjoyed taking part in races at sports days. As I got older, I had the same insecurities all teenage girls do, but I was happy with my appearance.
At 18 years old, I started working as an entertainer in a theme park. I was on my feet all day and going to the gym three times a week, so I was a trim size 10 – perfect for my 5ft 9in frame.
A year later, in December 2009, I met my boyfriend. We spent every spare moment together.
At first, I didn’t even notice I was putting on weight. Yes, when I went shopping I struggled to fit into my size 10 jeans – swapping them for a size 12, then 14. But it wasn’t until I tried to squeeze my feet into knee-high boots and realised my calves were too big, that I gasped in horror. What had happened to my toned legs?
And yet, I continued to pile on the pounds. If I argued with my partner, I turned to food for comfort. I would graze on sweets and cakes all day. In the evening, I’d gorge on Indian takeaways followed by more biscuits and doughnuts.
I never weighed myself, but soon I was hiding my rolls in leggings and size 22 tops. When I met up with friends, I pretended I didn’t see the shock in their eyes as they hugged me. But soon I was so embarrassed, I hardly saw them at all.
Even getting on a bus became a problem. I remember the day I squeezed into a seat, and as I looked down I saw that my thighs were touching the person next to me. I tried to make myself as small as possible, but it was no use. I’d put on so much weight, I was taking up two seats!
Perhaps that should have been my turning point, but I simply grew used to the stares and sniggers of strangers. In fact, it wasn’t until September 2013 that everything changed. My friends had planned a girls’ night out and I’d been looking forward to seeing them, but, after riffling through my wardrobe of tent-like dresses, I couldn’t find anything to wear.
With clothes covering my bedroom floor, I stared at my reflection and began to sob. All I could see was chubby cheeks,
‘soon I was hiding my rolls In size 22 tops’
a double chin and a round tummy. At 22 years old, I should have been carefree and confident, but the truth is, I hated myself. As my chest heaved with sobs, I asked myself: did I really want to spend the rest of my life like this?
The following morning, my eyes swollen from crying, I decided I’d join Slimming World. I had my first meeting that week and, walking through the doors, my hands were shaking with nerves. But I was met with friendly faces.
When I stood on the scales, the dial sprang up to 16st 13lb. It was the first time I’d understood the extent of my problem. But, it only made me more determined. ‘I’ll never see that number again,’ I said.
Back home, armed with information about healthy eating, I cleared my cupboards of sweet treats and takeaway menus. Just small changes – like using lean mince, and grilling meat rather than frying – meant that the weight began to disappear. In the first week, I lost 4lb.
I lost the pounds the safe way – slowly and steadily. And with my weight loss came a new perspective on life. I realised that my partner and I weren’t meant to be, and we split in November 2014.
Only, rather than turn to a tub of ice cream, I became even more focused on my diet plan. And finally, in June 2015, I hit my target weight of 11st 13lb – a 5st loss. As my fellow members applauded my success, I felt the tears well in my eyes. It was one of the best moments of my life.
Two years on, my weight is stable and I’m a slim size 12. After completing my degree, I work as a nurse, so I can teach others about living a healthy lifestyle.
Life before losing weight was hard – but from squeezing into dresses to being embarrassed on the bus, I wouldn’t change a second. It’s moments like those that have got me to where I am today. Now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. ✱ To find your nearest Slimming world group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000