Mum tired of being ‘the fat friend’ sheds 10st during weight loss journey

A mum who weighed 20st 4lbs at her heaviest has opened up about her weight loss journey.

Emily Parker, 22, from Wales, had been overweight since her teenage years and gained more pounds after the birth of her son.

Now after deciding it was time to make a change, the mum lost an impressive 10st during her transformation.

It all began when Emily got “really sick of being the fat friend” and vowed to really lose weight.

She told Wales Online : “I put on weight after going to comprehensive school and having lunch money and buying things full of sugar.

“I had a real sweet tooth and loved chocolates, sweets and takeways.”

She tried a number of diets, including Slimming World, but nothing ever worked.

Emily added: “My breakfast could look like three bowls of sugary cereals like Coco Pops or something or toast.

“But instead of having two slices, I would have five. My lunch was usually a cheese toastie, grilled with butter.

“Then in the evening, we’d probably have a takeaway which could be a Chinese or kebab.”

After years of gorging on quick and easy takeaway meals, Emily set out a plan in January 2019 to start counting her calories.

She used MyFitnessPal, as well as walked 10,000 steps a day to help her shift the weight.

Emily added: “I was really surprised at how quickly the weight came off.

“I cut out bread and alcohol at the start and was just controlling my portion sizes and counting calories.”

Then seven months into her new diet, Emily lost 7st and the size 16 dress she bought for her friend’s wedding was too big for her.

She detailed: “My mindset completely changed. Before, I had been living with my parents but now I’m with my partner.

“I cooked my own meals from scratch. My partner’s tall so anything he wanted to eat was on the top shelf so I couldn’t reach it.”

By March 2020, Emily tipped the scales at 10st 8lbs which meant she lost nearly 10st, around half her body weight, in over a year.

Aside from the changes in the kitchen, the mum started to become more active and was able to play with her toddler.

She said: “I was really so lazy before, I had to force myself to get up to the go to the toilet.

“The best thing has been learning self-control. I respect my body now. If I want something, I will treat myself.

“In lockdown, I put on some weight but knew I could get it off because my mindset is completely different.”