I lost 18st without fat jabs – I didn't cheat my way to a new body by secretly using Ozempic, I put the effort in
NO WEIGH I lost 18st without fat jabs – I didn't cheat my way to a new body by secretly using Ozempic, I put the effort in
OPENING my 10th can of cola of the day and gorging on a Chinese takeaway, I felt utterly miserable.
Weighing 29st and a size 32, I was practically housebound and struggling to care for my children. It was a conversation with my husband in early 2023 that would shock me into finally losing weight, after years of it spiralling out of control.
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At 10st 13lb, Kate's happier and healthier after losing 18st without using weight loss injections
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Kate with husband Dan at her heaviest weight of 29st
Today, I'm more than 18st lighter, but to my frustration, there are people who don't believe I lost the weight through diet and exercise.
They accuse me of secretly using fat jabs and say I cheated my way to a new body.
When my husband Dan told me that day that he was scared I was going to die, I knew his fears were justified. At 38, I was pre-diabetic and could barely walk, with aching joints and breathlessness. I agreed to join a slimming club, but had no idea how I'd lose the excess weight.
All my life, I've been big. At 10, I weighed 9st, the weight of an adult woman, because I had a big appetite.
BIG APPETITE
As a teenager, when I had more independence and money to spend, I'd buy crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks. I did try a few times to lose weight in my 20s, but always gave up and put it back on, and more.
When I met Dan online in 2013, after having my first child in a previous relationship, I was a size 24. He didn't care, though, and saw past my weight. He loved me as I was, and we got married in 2016.
I treated food like an emotional crutch. No matter how I was feeling, I turned to it. I look back with horror at what I'd consume daily – litres of fizzy drink, greasy takeaways, piles of buttered toast and chocolate.
By the time Dan had that emotional conversation with me, I was only leaving the house once a week to go to the supermarket, and I slept downstairs because getting up to our bedroom was too hard for me.
'No shortcuts exist' I'm an Irish teen who lost almost 60 pounds in 16 weeks following a routine that works wonders
He had to take on more than his share, and I could never take the kids to the park or on a day trip. Had Dan not confided his fears in me, I'm not sure if I'd have ever given myself that push to lose weight.
Stepping on to the scales at my first slimming club meeting in February 2023, I felt mortified. At 29st 4.5lb, I was by far the biggest person there. But for Dan and my children's sake, I knew I needed to try.
So, using the club's plan as a starting point, I began learning about nutrition. I started having fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, a wrap with salad for lunch, and chicken with veg for dinner. I stopped having takeaways and gradually weaned myself off sugary drinks.
Attending a weekly meeting and being weighed kept me accountable, and as I started to see the number on the scales go down, I felt motivated to keep going. I began to introduce walking, too.
At first, even short distances left me with sore joints and out of breath, but I persevered and it became more enjoyable.
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Kate ended up practically housebound and struggling to care for her children due to her weight
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Kate lost the weight to be a better mum
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Kate's husband Dan was scared she was going to die because of the excess weight
Dan was so supportive and relieved I was taking care of myself. By April 2024, I'd lost 17st. I decided to keep going and now weigh 10st 13lb. I don't plan to lose any more, but still attend my weekly club meetings.
It's surreal when I walk into a clothes shop and can pick out size-12 dresses. People I haven't seen in a while have walked past, not recognising me, and there was even a rumour in our area Dan was having an affair, because he was spotted with another woman. But that was me!
What frustrates me is, after all the effort I've put in, I've been accused of secretly using weight-loss jabs. I've seen it happen online to celebrities, such as TV presenter Alison Hammond, who's lost 11st without jabs, too.
Personally, I think it's cheating to use them to lose weight. I put the pounds on and it was up to me to lose them, not rely on pharmaceuticals.
When I look back at old photos, I don't recognise that unhealthy, unhappy woman.
I've saved my life and am the active, happy wife and mum I always dreamed of being. And I did it all by myself.'
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