A beautician who chowed down seven takeaways a week has turned her life around, after losing seven stone in just 18 months.
Sinead McCarthy, 31, said she felt “disgusting” after the first lockdown, when nights spent eating family sized chocolate bars led to her tipping the scales at 20st.
But the mum-of-one was desperate to make a change and joined up with a coach who has helped her trim down from a size 22 to a 12.
She committed to a diet plan eating 1,700 calories a day, began weightlifting in the gym and made sure to get in between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day.
Sinead, from Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, has a newfound confidence after slimming down to under 13st. She also credits the change with helping her escape an abusive relationship.
Sinead said she hated getting up in the morning because of how she looked and would avoid mirrors.
She refused to have her hair done or wear make-up because she didn't see the point, but was envious of her clients who enjoyed self-care treatments.
Sinead said: "The weight piled on gradually for a few years, I didn't really see how bad it was until it was too late.
"I was having loads of takeaways, at least five a week but sometimes seven, and they were enough for two people,” she said.
"My snacking was out of control too, I wouldn't eat normal-sized chocolate bars, it would have the big family sized ones. It was disgusting.
"I hated what I saw in the mirror so I just avoided looking in them, so then you don't really realise how bad things get.
"I took no pride in my personal appearance at all.
"I wouldn't get my hair done, I wouldn't wear make-up, I didn't do any self-care - I just thought what's the point.”
Sinead said this was “really hard”, given her job, and talks of seeing what treatments other girls were getting and “wishing” it was her.
"I was in an extremely controlling relationship for about four years,” she added.
"He controlled what I ate, where I went, what I did - everything, so I wasn't allowed to go to the gym."
Sinead now eats protein-packed meals and goes to LIFT Glasgow gym seven days a week because she loves how it makes her feel.
She said: "I started out with a PT at the gym and then I signed up for a coach who wrote a programme for me in the gym and a nutritional plan.
"I do weightlifting in the gym nearly seven days a week now and make sure to get some cardio done too.
"The first workout I did was horrific, two minutes in I thought I was going to pass out and had to sit down, it was so hard.
"But I was determined to get the weight off and change my life.
"The gym has become more of a mental thing for me now because it makes me feel so good and sets me up for the day.”
Sinead said she doesn’t restrict herself with food anymore, as she knew that one treat wouldn’t ruin all of the work she had done.
"It's like a physical and mental weight has been lifted off me now,” she explained.
"I wake up glad to be here now, before it was such a struggle getting up every day.
"I lost myself for a few years, all my friends really noticed it and now they will say it's so nice to have the real me back.
"It's been a complete life transformation for me.
"I feel like I am just starting to live my life now which is incredible.
"I have a newfound confidence and freedom in my life like never before."
