Life begins!
The shocking prognosis took a while to sink in… The thought of not being around to see Alfie, then 7, grow up was terrifying.
In January 2020,
I tried dieting, but the scales barely moved every week and I gave up.
So that May, I started the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, with set meal replacement plans and one-to-one sessions with a consultant.
It felt less daunting than groups, more focused.
‘If I don’t do this now, I’m scared I never will,’ I told Tanya.
‘I’ll support you all the way,’ she promised.
A size-28, by now I weighed in at 21st 2lb.
Talking with my consultant, we worked out I was eating up to 11,000 calories a day.
Unsurprising, considering I ate non stop, from the moment I woke up until the early hours the next day.
I cleared out the cupboards, chucking out the family-size chocolate bars and emptied the biscuit tin.
I swapped all the sugary drinks for water.
And in the first month, I lost 1st.
The weight melted off and soon, Tanya joined me on the diet.
She started out supporting me, but lost
5st along the way, too.
In August, I had my hair cut short. New me meant a new hairdo, too. I had 17in taken off, all donated to charity. By October 2020, I’d lost almost 5st and I signed up as a consultant, wanting to help others.
Now a size 18,
I was chuffed to finally set foot in the highstreet shops I’d always been scared of over the years.
I ditched my drab, loose clothes and bought fun, vibrant outfits. ‘Look at you with your nipped-in waist!’ Mum smiled proudly, looking at me. By December, I’d lost 6st. But then, Mum went into hospital with COVID-19. Sadly, in January 2021, she passed away.
I was truly devastated, but vowed to carry on for her, not to comfort eat. In June, for my 40th birthday, I went skydiving at Beccles Aerodrome.
I never imagined I’d throw myself out of a plane. But then I never imagined I’d lose so much weight, either. Soaring through the air, it really did feel like life begins at 40. It was a turning point. In September,
I was shortlisted for a Slimmers Award, making the final three.
Even got to meet the TV presenter Vernon Kay, during the awards ceremony.
Now, I’ve hit my target weight, 12st 4lb, and I’m a healthy size-14. I’ve never felt better.
Best of all, tests have shown my liver is back to normal, so I won’t need a lifesaving transplant.
Alfie, now 9, says he loves being able to hug me with his arms all the way around my waist.
Tanya’s proud of me, too. I feel so lucky, as if I have a second lease of life.
I’ve done it for Mum, Tanya and Alfie, but most of all, for me.
Bring on the next 40 years. And then some!
I never imagined I’d throw myself out of a plane!