Baby On Board? More Like Burger!
A stranger’s words changed Bridget’s life for the better
For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my weight. I was one of seven kids, and we were showered with love. And sweeties… Whatever I wanted, I got. And what I wanted was a lot of chocolate and fast-food treats. It was no wonder that, by the time I was 13, I was big. And when I say big, I mean I was wearing a size-24 school uniform. Amazingly, I was never bullied. I was bubbly and confident.
‘Take me as I am’ was my motto - so people did. I guess that’s why my weight didn’t bother me. I was popular and got to eat all my favourite foods. It wasn’t until I had my first son Robert, at the age of 22, that my weight began to worry me. During my pregnancy, my taste for forbidden food had gone wild. I devoured a Chinese takeaway every night, scoffed fast-food burgers and fries during the day.
I reasoned that it was OK. Surely half those calories would go to the baby?
But, some days, my desire to eat would spiral out of control.
I’d go to the supermarket and buy a six-pack bag of crisps and eat them all at once.
I’d feel so stuffed that I wanted to throw up.
What was wrong with me?!
This wasn’t eating for two, this was an addiction.
I was a whopping size-26 when Robert, now 4, was born.
Cravings
I hoped then that my wild cravings would stop. I tried to walk everywhere to get fitter.
But I noticed the 10-minute walk to the supermarket was taking half an hour.
I had to stop at least twice, if not three times – gasping for breath. It didn’t help that I was a heavy smoker, either.
I must give up the fags,
I thought. So I did.
Trouble was, within months of quitting, I’d put on 3st and now I weighed 24st 10lb.
I’d stuff my face every time
I was popular and got to eat all my favourite foods…
I wanted a ciggie. Not great, but I figured it was better than smoking.
I can try and lose weight later, I told myself. Trouble is, I never did. When I took my dad Joe, 64, to a hospital appointment at The Mater Hospital, Dublin, in late 2014, I was as big as ever.
The waiting room was packed. Dad got a seat but I stood waiting, leaning against a door frame.
An elderly woman sitting next to Dad looked over at me.
Horrified
‘You sit down here, love,’ she said, offering me her seat.
‘No, it’s fine, you stay where you are,’ I replied.
‘You need a seat in your condition,’ she said kindly. What? I thought.
Then it hit me.
She thought I was pregnant! Mortified, I looked down, and what I saw horrified me.
With my huge belly, baggy vest top and leggings, I looked nine-months pregnant.
Mortified, I told myself it was an easy mistake to make.
But, back home, I overheard Dad whispering something to my mum Margaret, 67.
‘A lady at the hospital thought Bridget was pregnant, because she’s so big,’ he said.
I was shocked. Dad would never criticise or judge anyone. He was worried.
Horrified, I vowed to do something about it.
So, days later, I found myself stepping into my first Slimming World meeting. I was scared, nervous, but determined.
And, within a month, I’d lost 1st – and vowed to lose more.
Motivated
Mum and Dad were brilliant, so supportive.
‘You can do it,’ they encouraged me.
For the first time in years, I felt motivated.
Googling pictures of people who’d lost 7st or 8st, I knew I wanted to be one of them. So I kept going. And, by the time I’d lost 5st, people were beginning to notice, paying me compliments.
‘I’m not done yet,’
I told them firmly.
I attended Slimming World religiously and, in June 2016, I hit 14st 8lb – that’s 9st 10lb lighter!
My confidence rocketed and, in August 2016, I fell pregnant with my second baby Harris.
I put on 3st in the course of the pregnancy, but I wasn’t worried.
Little Harris is 6 months old now and I’ve lost half a stone already.
I’m back at Slimming World and determined to hit my target weight of 12st.
That elderly lady’s comment was the best thing that ever happened to me.
At last, I’ve got my life and my confidence back!