Latest news with #KyraDawson
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Mum shed 4st ‘almost immediately' after simple tweak when ‘vicious cycle' saw her spiral to 18st
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM trapped in a "vicious cycle" that saw her reach 18 stone saw four stone drop off her after kicking a key habit. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed "party girl" throughout her teens and would go out "nearly every night" in her 20s. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Kyra Dawson, 31, before her weight loss Credit: SWNS 13 A self-confessed 'party girl', Kyra would go out almost nightly and order takeaways to cope with hangovers Credit: SWNS 13 The mum gave up drinking and started seeing results immediately Credit: SWNS 13 She credits her son Reo with saving her life Credit: SWNS She could easily guzzle down two bottles of prosecco and wine each time - followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways - including a full-English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Gregg's sausages rolls - before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking "spiralled" out of control and knew she a "problem" when she hid her heavy boozing from adoptive mum, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival "saved" her life. The mum-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze, saying she started shifting the weight after becoming sober. She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs, now wearing a size 8 to 10. Kyra, a beauty therapist, from Loughton, Essex, said: "There is so much sugar in alcohol - as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone. "I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. "I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. I'm a mum of two, did drugs, drank wine everynight and didn't think I had an issue - it wasn't until a night at my parents which made me realise I was a functioning alcoholic "My little boy saved my life. "He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. "At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. "I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle." 13 Kyra started drinking at age 15, having been through a difficult childhood Credit: SWNS 13 Kyra during her weight loss Credit: SWNS 13 She quite drinking in 2020 but the turning point came when she found out she was pregnant with her son Credit: SWNS 13 Kyra shed nine stone with the help of diet and exercise Credit: SWNS Drinking to cope Kyra grew up in foster homes, before being adopted at the age of 10 by her mum, Marie. She admitted being a "difficult" teenager and using to alcohol to cope. Kyra said: "I had a tough childhood before being adopted. "As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. "I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. "But all of my friends were drinking alco-pops, and I was having vodka." While hungover, Kyra would order up several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Kyra's diet before and after her weight loss Previously eating up to five takeaways a day, Kyra overhauled her diet to lose weight. She cut out alcohol and switched to more nutritious meals. Diet before weight loss Breakfast - Full-English breakfast or leftovers Lunch - Takeaways like kebab or fried chicken Dinner - Takeaway pizza, burger or fish and chips Snacks - sausage rolls, wine, prosecco, vodka Diet after weight loss Breakfast - Yogurt, fruit, toast Lunch - chicken salad Dinner - protein like chicken or fish, vegetables and rice Snacks - fruit, hummus and veggies Tragedy struck in 2018 when Kyra sadly lost her adoptive mum, Marie, after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. Kyra said: "I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. "It feels unreal, thinking about that time. "I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. "It was so painful and made things worse. "I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. "I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. "Anything to help me cope with the loss." 13 Kyra wanted to offer Reo a better childhood Credit: SWNS 13 She hopes to help others by sharing her story Credit: SWNS 13 She also found joy in dancing, describing it as therapy Credit: SWNS 'Reo saved my life' Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit-drinking and to start eating more healthily. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. She said: "I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. "I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son. "I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. "My little boy arriving saved my life. "I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did." I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health Kyra Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritious meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She got herself a gym membership and started going on long walks to help shift some weight, walking up to 10k steps a day. Kyra also credits "dancing everywhere" to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting a move on her account. She said: "There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off. "Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. "I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. "I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health." The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. She said: "With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. "It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. "I can't believe how far I've come looking back. "I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. "Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. "You can turn things around with the right support." 13 Kyra urged others needing support with alcohol to go to AA Credit: SWNS 13 She can't believe how far she's come Credit: SWNS
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Mum shed 4st ‘almost immediately' after simple tweak when ‘vicious cycle' saw her spiral to 18st
Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter Published: Invalid Date, A MUM trapped in a "vicious cycle" that saw her reach 18 stone saw four stone drop off her after kicking a key habit. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed "party girl" throughout her teens and would go out "nearly every night" in her 20s. 13 13 13 13 She could easily guzzle down two bottles of prosecco and wine each time - followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways - including a full-English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Gregg's sausages rolls - before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking "spiralled" out of control and knew she a "problem" when she hid her heavy boozing from adoptive mum, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival "saved" her life. The mum-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze, saying she started shifting the weight after becoming sober. She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs, now wearing a size 8 to 10. Kyra, a beauty therapist, from Loughton, Essex, said: "There is so much sugar in alcohol - as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone. "I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. "I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. I'm a mum of two, did drugs, drank wine everynight and didn't think I had an issue - it wasn't until a night at my parents which made me realise I was a functioning alcoholic "My little boy saved my life. "He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. "At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. "I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle." 13 13 13 Drinking to cope Kyra grew up in foster homes, before being adopted at the age of 10 by her mum, Marie. She admitted being a "difficult" teenager and using to alcohol to cope. Kyra said: "I had a tough childhood before being adopted. "As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. "I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. "But all of my friends were drinking alco-pops, and I was having vodka." While hungover, Kyra would order up several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Tragedy struck in 2018 when Kyra sadly lost her adoptive mum, Marie, after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. Kyra said: "I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. "It feels unreal, thinking about that time. "I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. "It was so painful and made things worse. "I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. "I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. "Anything to help me cope with the loss." 13 13 13 'Son saved my life' Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit-drinking and to start eating more healthily. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. She said: "I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. "I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son. "I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. "My little boy arriving saved my life. "I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did." I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health Kyra Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritious meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She got herself a gym membership and started going on long walks to help shift some weight, walking up to 10k steps a day. Kyra also credits "dancing everywhere" to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting a move on her account. She said: "There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off. "Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. "I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. "I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health." The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. She said: "With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. "It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. "I can't believe how far I've come looking back. "I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. "Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. "You can turn things around with the right support." 13 13 What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. SMART Recovery – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment. Local Support Groups – Many communities have groups tailored to different needs.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I ballooned to 18st by boozing and bingeing on five takeaways a day - but when tragedy struck, I transformed my life and dropped half my body weight
A mother who binged on takeaways to get through hellish hangovers has revealed how she transformed her life and lost nine stone. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed 'party girl' throughout her teens and would go out 'nearly every night' in her 20s. She could easily guzzle down two bottles of Prosecco and wine followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club each time she went out. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways, including a full English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Greggs sausages rolls, before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking 'spiralled' out of control and knew she had a 'problem' when she hid her heavy boozing from her adoptive mother, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival 'saved' her life. The mother-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze; as she began to shift the weight after going teetotal. Before and after: Mother Kyra Dawson (pictured) lost more than nine stone by giving up alcohol and cleaning up her diet after partying heavily throughout her teens and early twenties She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs and a svelte size 8 to 10. 'There is so much sugar in alcohol so as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone,' Kyra said. 'I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. 'My little boy saved my life. He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. 'At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle.' Kyra, who works as a beauty therapist, grew up in foster homes, before being adopted by her mother, Marie. She admitted to being a 'difficult' teenager and using alcohol to cope. 'I had a tough childhood before being adopted,' Kyra recalled. 'As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. 'I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. But while my friends were drinking alco-pops, I was having vodka.' While hungover, Kyra would order several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Her habits became worse when tragedy struck in 2018. Kyra sadly lost her mother after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. 'I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. It feels unreal, thinking about that time. I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms,' Kyra said. 'It was so painful and made things worse. I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. 'I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. Anything to help me cope with the loss.' Kyra's diet before vs after quitting alcohol DIET BEFORE Breakfast - Full-English breakfast or leftovers Lunch - Takeaways like kebab or fried chicken Dinner - Takeaway pizza, burger or fish and chips Snacks - Sausage rolls, wine, prosecco, vodka DIET AFTER Breakfast - Yoghurt, fruit, toast Lunch - Chicken salad Dinner - Protein like chicken or fish, vegetables and rice Snacks - Fruit, hummus and veggies Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit drinking and to start eating more healthily. She met her ex, who is a former addict himself, online and they supported each other through their respective struggles and recovery. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. 'I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son,' Kyra said. 'I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. My little boy arriving saved my life. I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did.' Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritional meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She enrolled at a gym and started going on long walks to help shift some weight. Kyra also credits 'dancing everywhere' to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting moves on her account. 'There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and Prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off,' she said. 'Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. 'I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. 'I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health.' By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. 'With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that,' she said. 'I can't believe how far I've come looking back. I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. 'Hopefully, anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. You can turn things around with the right support.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mother-of-one 'unrecognisable' after jaw-dropping nine stone weight loss - she made one lifestyle change
A mother-of-one who weighed over 18 stone has revealed how she dropped half her bodyweight without the help of weight loss jabs. Kyra Dawson, 31, from Essex, lost an impressive nine stone after realising her drinking had 'spiralled out of control'. The former self-confessed 'party girl' said she used to go out 'nearly every night' in her twenties, downing bottles of wine with vodka. She said: 'At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening—and repeat the cycle.' Ms Dawson would start the day with a greasy full-English breakfast followed by fried chicken and a takeaway pizza for dinner, snacking on sausage rolls and wine throughout the day. But, after hitting 'rock-bottom'—having started regularly drinking aged just 15—Ms Dawson knew it was time to change her self-destructive habits, and it was kicking the booze which kick started her enormous transformation. She said: 'At first, I didn't know I had a problem. I just thought I liked going out and partying. But my friends were drinking alcopops and I was having vodka. 'As soon as I stopped drinking the weight fell off. Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. 'There's so much sugar in alcohol––as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone.' Ms Dawson puts her weight and heavy drinking down to her difficult upbringing and losing her adoptive mother, Marie, to cancer-related sepsis in 2018. She was adopted by her at age 10, after spending her childhood growing up in foster homes. She said: 'I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. 'It was so painful and made things worse. I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. 'Anything to help me cope with the loss.' She added that admitting that she had a problem was the hardest part of the journey. Ms Dawson began to turn things around when she met her ex-partner in August 2020 and made the decision to give up alcohol and ultra processed foods in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. But the real turning point came when she found out she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now 3, just five months after she gave up drinking. 'My little boy arriving save my life,' she said. 'I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did. He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed.' Ms Dawson started by changing her diet, swapping ultra processed takeaways and alcohol for more nutrient dense meals whilst maintaining a calorie deficit. This form of dieting forces the body to burn excess calories stored as fat––a known way of beating the bulge. Now Ms Dawson starts her day with yoghurt and fruit, followed by a salad for lunch and protein like chicken or fish paired with rice and vegetables for dinner. She then began going on long walks and dancing, aiming for the recommended 10,000 steps a day and signed up for a gym membership to help keep the weight off. She added that the mental transformation she experienced had a profound impact on her life, enabling her to reach out for help and reconnect with family and friends. 'Dancing is like therapy,' she said. 'It got me through some dark situations and is a great way to move my body and lose weight. It really helped my mental health too.' By 2024, Ms Dawson had dropped a colossal nine stone and is now weighs 9st 10lbs. She is now urging anyone who is struggling with destructive habits such as binge drinking and eating to get help. She said: 'Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. 'With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. 'You can always turn things around with the right support,' she added.
