Maybe after losing I won’t always be the bridesmaid...
Student nurse Jamie is now dreaming of her own wedding after shedding pounds in preparation for her little sister Jackie’s big day
JAMIE Graham has been bridesmaid six times – now, after losing five stone, she hopes the next time she walks down the aisle it will be as the blushing bride.
The student nurse has a wardrobe full of bridesmaid dresses in a range of colours and styles.
The 30-year-old, from Edinburgh, said: “Every time the movies Bridesmaids or 27 Dresses are shown, my pals phone me up to say I’m on the telly again.”
She enjoyed the first two experiences – when she was 17 and 23 and a slim size 12-14 – but when she went to Australia in 2012 to work as a nanny in Melbourne, her weight began to creep up.
Jamie said: “I shared a flat with two others. We all cooked for ourselves and my portion sizes were enough for two people. Added to that, one of the girls was a great baker so there were cakes with everything.
“I had a fantastic time and dressed casually in leggings and loose tops so I didn’t notice I was getting bigger.”
After working for 18 months, Jamie went on a road trip to Tasmania before heading home – to be bridesmaid at three weddings in one year.
She said: “Tasmania was the final straw when it came to my weight. I lived on fast food, takeaway snacks, crisps and chocolate. As the weight piled on, I wore stretchy clothes to hide the fact I was getting larger.
“When my mum picked me up at the airport she was shocked at my size, although she was tactful enough not to say anything at the time.”
Arriving back in Scotland in March 2014 in time for her birthday on the 15th of that month, Jamie went shopping for a dress to wear for her birthday bash and welcome home celebrations – but ended up crying in the shop’s changing room as nothing fitted.
She said: “I felt horrible and so miserable. Added to that, I was my friend’s bridesmaid in April of that year, followed by two more bridesmaid outings in August and September 2014.” Jamie did her bridesmaid’s duties and attended dress fittings for the three weddings, but hated seeing herself in the wedding photographs. She said: “The first bridesmaid’s dress was bright red. It was a lovely dress but I hated how I looked in it because I was so overweight. I was ashamed of my size and hated myself.
“The other bridesmaid was pregnant but it was me who looked like Ten Ton Tessie, not her.”
The wedding in August saw Jamie walk behind the bride in a gorgeous royal blue dress – but she felt far from beautiful. She said: “The blue was more forgiving and I felt better. I’d lost a bit of weight as I’d joined Scottish Slimmers but I was still the big bridesmaid.”
In September, the dress was grey and the wedding took place in New York.
Jamie said: “We did a walking tour of New York and my friends kept pointing out locations from Bridesmaids and 27 Dresses and making jokes about how many times I’d been a bridesmaid.
“We had fun and I did enjoy it – but I always felt like the fat friend.”
Jamie kept losing a few pounds but then put them back on.
She started slimming in earnest at the beginning of this year. Jamie said: “My little sister Jackie was getting married in June and wanted me to be bridesmaid. This time, I was determined not to be the big bridesmaid.
“I was feeling so much better in myself and Jackie’s wedding was an added incentive. I stuck to the eating plan and I’m nearly at my target,” added Jamie, who has slimmed down from a size 20-22 to a size 14 and wore a silver skirt and top to her sister’s wedding.
“It made such a difference wearing a bridesmaid’s dress having slimmed down so much.
“When I went for the final fitting, the skirt was too big and they had to send for a smaller size, which was still a little too loose for me. It was a great feeling.
“This time, I wasn’t the big bridesmaid. Two of the other girls were size eight but another girl and I were the same size 14, so I didn’t feel self-conscious.
“I was able to really enjoy the day and felt happy for my sister, who looked stunning. I got loads of compliments at the wedding from friends and family who thought I looked wonderful. That gave me an added confidence boost.
“My sister has always been supportive and encourages me to wear flattering clothes that show off my new figure.
“I keep forgetting I’m not overweight and gravitate towards black, baggy clothes, but she keeps me right and steers me back towards colourful, feminine clothes in fashionable styles.
“My family and friends have been
When I look back at my old pictures, it’s crazy to think that it is actually me