I would snack behind my family’s back. Could I put a stop to it once and for all? By Lisa Bernett, 43
Dropping my daughters off at school, I then headed for work.
But there was only one thing on my mind — what I was having for lunch.
After a few hours helping my husband, Ashley, at his funeral parlour, I drove home, starving.
I made myself two cheese and onion bagels, then had a large packet of Doritos, a Boost chocolate bar and a white Magnum.
Often, I would polish off four packets of pickled onion Space Raiders, too. I just loved crisps and savoury snacks.
All of this was done in secret while everyone else was out.
Ashley also loved his food so, after work, I’d cook a huge chicken roast dinner with all the trimmings. Then I’d finish the day with another big bag of crisps.
Once, a friend and I went to a drive-by McDonald’s and ordered a large Big Mac meal.
We ate it in the car, then drove round again and ordered another burger.
‘Ashley is going to love this!’ I lied to the cashier, because, actually, it was
for me.
When I weighed myself I was shocked to see I was 20st 5lb!
I tried dieting a number of times and lost a few stone, but I could never stick to it.
Then my mother-in-law, who had been my best friend, died suddenly.
We were all heartbroken and any thoughts of healthy eating went out of the window.
But as time passed, Ashley told me he wanted to lose some weight.
‘I’ll do it with you,’ I said. ‘There’s no way you’re going to be smaller than me.’
By this time, I was 17st 2lb and Ashley had reached 22 stone.
I downloaded the My Net Diary app where you weigh the food and work out the calories accordingly.
Breakfast would be yogurt and frozen berries.
Then we’d have sweet potato wraps with chicken and lettuce and Hula Hoop puffs for lunch — I still managed to get my crisp fix despite being on a diet!
Dinner was a stir-fry, tuna salad or jacket potato.
Within eight months, I’d got down to 14st 5lb and Ashley was 15 stone.
We were over the moon.
That summer, we took the girls on a cruise around the Med and I bought three size 16 bikinis — one black, one fuchsia and one leopard print.
It was the first time I’d worn a bikini since our honeymoon!
By the following year, I had hit 11 stone and Ashley was 12st 8lb.
We couldn’t believe it.
Not long after, I bumped into a friend in Tesco.
‘I can’t believe how much weight you’ve lost!’ she said.
It was a great feeling.
Now I weigh 10st 5lb — a loss of 10 stone!
This year we’re off to Disney World, and I’m buying another new bikini — this time in a size 10.
I can’t wait to wear it and show off my new look!
Height 5ft 3in
Before 20st 5lb
After 10st 5lb
Total loss 10 stone
Diet before
Breakfast: nothing
Lunch: cheese and onion bagels, Doritos, chocolate and ice cream
Dinner: kebabs, pitta, chips, salad, popcorn
Snacks: chocolate, popcorn, crisps
Diet now
Breakfast: yogurt with frozen berries, or porridge
Lunch: sweet potato wraps with chicken and lettuce
Dinner: stir-fry, or jacket potato and salad
Snacks: Hula Hoop puffs or Haribos