Scroll to the bottom for your chance to win a Henry Pet vacuum worth £179.99!
I was overweight, unhappy and my marriage had hit the rocks. But one big change led to another. By Haley Cocker, 35
Looking at myself in the changing room mirror,
I sighed.
I look huge, I thought.
‘Come on, Haley, give us a twirl,’ my friends called to me from outside.
‘No, it’s not for me,’ I replied.
Whenever we went shopping, my mates would all emerge from the changing rooms looking stunning in whatever outfit they’d picked up.
There was no way I was going to let anyone see me looking like a fat frump in an old-fashioned frock the size of a four-man tent.
When it came to clothes,
there wasn’t much choice for someone my size. I lived in baggy T-shirts and stretchy tracksuit bottoms.
But while I longed to wear trendy outfits like my mates,
that would mean curbing my serial snacking habit — which was something I’d never managed to do.
As a child, I’d been a fussy eater, refusing to even try the vegetables my parents put on my plate. Instead, I’d fill up on junk food throughout the day.
And since then, my bad eating habits hadn’t really improved.
There was always a reason why I couldn’t eat properly. I was busy with work, or with my family after marrying Steve and having my kids Ellis and Macy.
Now, I was also studying for a psychology degree, which had only made my snack-scoffing worse.
Throughout the day, I’d gorge on multi-packs of chocolate bars, crisps and chips
to keep myself going.
Then, once the kids were in bed, I’d order myself a greasy takeaway.
Steadily, I’d ballooned to 19 stone, a size 22. I felt constantly exhausted, and was struggling to keep up with the kids.
But it wasn’t just my physical health that was suffering. It was my mental health too.
The kids loved swimming, but I’d make excuses whenever they asked to go because I felt too self-conscious in a swimsuit.
Every time I looked in the mirror, I’d wince at the sight of myself. My old bubbly, outgoing personality had been swallowed up by anxiety and depression.
Steve and I were having problems too. We were arguing all the time and I felt I couldn’t do anything right.
Finally, after 12 years together, we split. I took the kids and moved back in with my parents.
At 32, I was single, overweight and miserable. But I told myself that getting divorced would be the first of many positive changes.
Next, I had to tackle my weight. So I joined Slimming World.
But when I went to my first meeting, I suffered a panic attack and couldn’t make it through
the door.
‘I don’t think I can do it,’ I told Mum.
Ellis, 12, saw how disappointed I was with myself.
‘I’ll come with you next week, Mum,’ he said.
‘Thanks, love,’
I said, hugging him.
The next week,
I was still feeling nervous. But with Ellis by my side, this time I was able to make it through the doors.
Listening to the others there,
I realised I wasn’t alone. Their relationship with food was as bad as mine, and they wanted to change too. I left feeling inspired.
Back home, I chucked out the junk food, stopped snacking and forced myself to try the veggies I’d always avoided. I even joined the gym to shed an extra few pounds.
With more healthy food in my system, and the buzz from exercising, I felt as if I had more energy than ever.
After a few months, I began to see a difference when I looked in the mirror. Others noticed too.
‘You’re looking so well,’ friends told me excitedly. Their compliments spurred me on.
As the weight dropped off me, I was able to buy the fashionable clothes I’d always wanted to wear.
Now, I’ve lost an amazing eight stone. I’m a size 12, and can strut my stuff in the bodysuits, smart tops and trousers I’d envied on my friends.
I can hardly recognise the woman I was when my marriage ended. I’ve never had so much energy and confidence before.
I’m proof that no matter how bad things may seem, it’s never too late to turn your life around.
l Steve’s name has been changed.
Diet before
● Breakfast: chocolate bars
● Lunch: fast food, burgers and chips
● Dinner: pizzas and takeaways
● Snacks: fizzy pop and sweets
Diet now
● Breakfast: boiled eggs
● Lunch: salad with fish
● Dinner: jacket potato
● Snacks: popcorn and Slimming World Hifi bars
Height 5ft 3in
Before 19 stone Size 22
After 11 stone Size 12
Total loss 8 stone
