Seeing the kindness of others inspired me to lose 9st and now I am happier than ever
*Slimming World’s Health and Wellbeing Study is an on-going research project. Reported findings are a snapshot of data from the research relating to 1,000 UK adults polled during April and May 2020 and asked how COVID-19 restrictions had affected various health-related behaviours and aspects of wellbeing.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had an issue with my weight. When I was six, my mum bought me a new swimsuit for my holiday and asked me to try it on to show my auntie.
I remember feeling very self-conscious and came downstairs covering my tummy with my arms. My mum told me I was being silly, but I felt so uncomfortable.
The negative comments started in primary school, but it was when I went to secondary school that the bullying went up a notch.
I’ll never forget the day a girl pushed me off the parked school bus shouting: ‘You’re too heavy, the bus can’t take it!’ Back home, safely hidden from the bullies, I’d comfort myself with huge portions of steak pie and rice pudding.
Years passed and though I tried to put school behind me, my anxiety didn’t go away. I loathed anyone looking at me, ever – after all, they’d have nothing nice to say.
Even surrounded by my loving family – my parents Kevin and Helen, my husband Mark, and my children, Jamie and Louise – my happiness was always clouded by my low self-esteem.
My mental health was at an all-time low, and physically my health was very poor, I had crippling IBS and problems with mobility. I knew I had to do something about my weight.
Leaving the house became a huge hassle. If I had to walk, I knew I couldn’t go far, my back, knees and ankles would throb, I’d be sweating after a short distance and I would get so anxious of being seen and judged.
I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall when I tried to lose weight. I tried so many plans and fad diets and I couldn’t stick to any of them.
I’d try my hardest then fall back into bad habits – a quick chocolate bar for breakfast and snacking on crisps and sweets.
Then in 2014 my grandfather, who I called Papa, fell ill with cancer. We were very close, and I was visiting him in hospital when he said: ‘I’m not scared of dying because I’ve lived a wonderful life – now, lass, it’s time you started getting out and living yours.’
It was with his words ringing in my ears that I walked into a Slimming World group. It was the only plan I hadn’t tried. I asked a mum outside school, a nurse, about it. She said she’d heard it was very good. The first time I went to the group was nerve-wracking, I felt sick. I’ve always been shy and not very good in social situations, but I needn’t have worried. Everybody was so nice. There was no judgement, no humiliation and people were being honest, I thought it was amazing.
I decided to go back the following week. Standing in the queue for weigh-in, I started to panic I’d be the first one to gain on their first week. I thought there was no way I could eat so much and still lose weight.
I couldn’t believe it. After a week of cooking from scratch, eating lots of fantastic food and feeling fuller than ever. I’d eaten lasagne, sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice, mince and potatoes – and I’d lost 4lb.
This was no diet. This was a sensible healthy eating plan, and the lifestyle change I was looking for. I lost weight every week. My family all commented on the improvement to not only my figure but my self-esteem.
When my husband was posted to the Falklands for five months, I worried it might send me back to comfort eating. But my group kept me motivated. When he came back, he hardly recognised me. I had lost an extra 3st while he had been away.
In two years, I lost 9st and now I am happier and more confident than ever. I feel I am a better role model for my children too with my positive attitude to healthy meals that they love helping to prepare.
We’re much more active now too. Before I lost weight I used to joke I was allergic to exercise but now I love walking and I’m no longer afraid of people looking at me, my confidence has grown so much.
I often think about how proud Papa would be of me, socialising with friends I’ve made in my group while wearing a size- 10 dress.
I’m enjoying life for the first time in years. I know I can be there for my parents as they get older. I am there for my children and my husband and I now enjoy a social life.
The future is bright now where before it was a dark place. I am forever grateful to my group and to Slimming World.
I feel I’ve got my life back and given my husband a happy confident wife – and my kids the mum they deserve.
The future is bright now where before it was a dark place
9st 12lb and happier than ever