When a family holiday left me hobbling, I realised it was time to make a change – and luckily I had friends to help me. By Michelle Webb, 47
I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, then shut it and walked out again.
‘Come on, kids,’ I shouted to my boys Robbie and Callum. ‘I’ll get us a McDonald’s.’
As a catering manager, I spent all day cooking. So, by the time I got home, it was the last thing I wanted to do.
But that meant I often relied too heavily on takeaways, and my weight was the proof of that.
At a size 16-18, I covered my body in baggy clothes and made sure to hide behind my husband Chris and the boys in photos.
Soon after, we went on holiday to the US with my friend Julie and her family, and as we queued for a ride at a theme park one day, I began to panic.
I’m not going to fit on that! I thought.
Thankfully, with a bit of a squash and a squeeze, the barrier clicked into place and I breathed a sigh of relief.
But after a day of trudging round, I was in pain too.
I’d already had several rounds of knee surgery, but I was due for another partial replacement on my left one.
And while my doctor said my knee problems weren’t weight-related, the extra strain it caused was making the pain worse.
However, it was only when I split my trousers sitting down on the return flight, that I thought, Something has to change.
Back home in Howden, East Yorkshire, along with Julie and our friend Adele, I decided to join Slimming World.
But when I stepped on the scales for the first time, I told the consultant, ‘I don’t want to know my weight.’
I was worried that if I knew, I’d turn around and never go back.
So, each week, the consultant told me how much I’d lost, but kept my overall weight to herself.
Julie, Adele and I set up a group chat to share pictures of what we’d cooked.
‘We’ll motivate each other,’ I said.
And I soon started to notice it working.
‘My clothes feel looser,’ I said to Chris.
Within nine months, I’d lost four stone, and I finally asked my consultant, ‘How much do I weigh?’
‘You’re down to 12st 7lb,’ she said, and I was thrilled.
As well as seeing the change, I could feel it too. I had more energy and my knee pain had eased.
By the time I had my knee operation, I’d lost another stone, which made my recovery so much easier than before.
Now, I’m 11st 3lb, and a size 10-12.
Julie and Adele have done brilliantly too. Between us, we’ve lost 11 stone!
I’m so proud of myself and how far I’ve come.
I’ve spent a fortune on new clothes, and I love dressing up and looking glam.
I’ve also started walking and recently ran the 5k Race for Life, something I’d never have been able to do before.
Now, I’m on the waiting list for another operation on my right knee. But I feel less nervous this time, knowing that my body is healthy enough to help me heal.
BEFORE
16st7lb
Size
16-18
AFTER
11st 3lb
Size
10-12
DIET BEFORE
Breakfast: poached egg and beans on buttered toast
Lunch: sandwich or burger and chips
Dinner: spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread
Snacks: chocolate, crisps, jelly sweets
DIET AFTER
Breakfast: banana and Hi-Fi bar
Lunch: ham salad
Dinner: Spanish chicken or steak and salad
Snacks: fruit