How did I become fat?
In my early twenties I was 8.5 stone, just right. I had my first son when I was 23 and lost my pregnancy fat as soon as he was born. So when I fell pregnant a year later I wasn`t worried about my weight. Only this time was different.
I loved my son and was thrilled he was going to have a baby sister, brother to play with. Only, my partner didn`t share my enthusiasm and left me when I was 6 months. I was crushed, stayed at home, let myself go, and piled on the pounds or should I say stones, 4 in fact.
The minute I held my new born son in my arms my heart melted and I knew in that instant we were going to be fine. All I needed was my 2 beautiful boys. Or so I thought. Having a toddler and a baby to look after took its toll on me.
My friends stopped coming round, I never went any where, I was Exhausted and lonely. I lived on microwave meals, biscuits, crisps any thing that was quick and easy. I went from 8.5 to 14 stone in 3 years.
Arron my oldest son started school in September. He came home one afternoon all excited "mammy I need a photo of you and me for my book all about me". I had plenty of photos of my boys but none of me with them since they were babies. My mother took our photo. I was horrified. My hair was lank, my face was fat and ashen, I coudn`t remember the last time I wore make-up, I looked like a frump.
That photo has made me take stock of my life. I dug out my photo albums and cried and cried remembering how I was. Thin, Happy, confident what had happened to me. The first thing I did was write a list of all the things that I was not happy with, what I need to do to change this and what I want to do with my life. Then I stopped buying junk food swapped microwave meals for salad, pasta, fruit. Took the boys to the park, started walking every where.
That photo was taken 4 months ago and I haven`t looked back. It`s not easy every day is a struggle an inner fight with myself but I am winning; slowly but I knew it would take time.
I have lost 1.5 stone. I know it doesn`t sound like much but believe me it has given me the confidence to strive for more. I am even having a night out next week and I`m looking for a job.
Just start out small, don`t rush into anything you will get there.
Submitted By Dorothy from London