I’d made a splash in a hot tub — and not in a good way. But it made me determined not to embarrass myself like that again. By Stella Jane Thomas, 52
As I waded through the pool, I felt all eyes were on me.
In truth, people probably weren’t staring at me, but I felt so self-conscious about being 17 stone and a size 24, that it certainly felt like it.
‘Come on, Mummy, let’s get in the jacuzzi,’ said my nine-year-old son, Jack.
We were on holiday in DisneyWorld, Florida, and I should’ve been having the time of my life. Instead, I was dying of embarrassment.
As I approached the hot tub in the middle of the pool, I searched for the best way to get in.
If I step over the nearside, rather than walking round to the steps, I can get in quicker without exposing myself too much, I thought.
‘Come on, Mummy, let’s get in the jacuzzi’
But I misjudged the depth, and ended up toppling in headfirst!
I emerged spluttering for breath, facing a strange man whose sunglasses were splashed with water.
‘That’s one way of getting in!’ I said.
My kids stifled a giggle, and I pretended to find it funny too, but really I was mortified.
I hadn’t always been that large.
But after having my boys, I’d suffered from post-natal depression and had turned to food for comfort.
Rounds of toast for breakfast and ready meals became my staple diet.
As my weight crept up, my self-confidence plummeted, and I’d hidden my body in elasticated trousers and long tops.
Now, my hot tub shame made me realise something had to change.
Back home in Dartford, Kent, I went on a diet and lost two stone. But not matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to lose any more.
Then one day, a fellow school mum I was friendly with approached me.
‘I do a water fitness class at a health club. Do you fancy joining me?’ she asked.
‘OK, I’ll give it a go,’ I replied.
I found I enjoyed it and gradually my confidence grew. A few weeks later, I tried the aerobics class and felt even better.
The squats and lunges were difficult, but the teacher made tweaks so I’d find the routine easier.
After one class, she took me aside and told me she was a LighterLife counsellor.
‘I think you’d do really well on it,’ she said.
I trusted her and joined immediately.
When I started, I was 15st 4lb, but within a month, I’d lost a stone.
It inspired me to keep going and six months later, I was down to 10 stone and felt like a different person.
Over the next years, with regular exercise and healthy eating, I maintained my weight.
And, at a party, I met Mat.
We’ve since married and on our honeymoon in Las Vegas, I went on a zipline, which is something I would never have done before I lost weight.
Now, I’ve retrained as an assistant respiratory physiotherapist, helping people with serious lung disease get fitter and healthier.
I love my new life and I’m so thankful that after making a splash in the hot tub, I was brave enough to tackle my weight and turn things around.
Diet Before
Breakfast: White toast with butter
Lunch: Tuna pasta
Dinner: Spag Bol or takeaway
Snacks: Chocolate, biscuits and crisps
Diet Now
Breakfast: Boiled egg, spinach and tomato
Lunch: Porridge, blueberries and chocolate protein powder
Dinner: Chicken breast and veg or stir-fry
Snacks: Almonds or fruit
Height: 5ft 4in
Before: 15st 4lb, size 24
After: 10st 2lb, size 12
Total loss: 5st 2lb
Stella Jane's top tip!
Find an exercise class you enjoy and build up your confidence. Going with a friend helps too.