A 31-year-old who has lost a combined 13 stone with her mother in preparation for her wedding this year has shrunk in size so much she has been told to stop dieting by her tailor as her wedding dress “can’t be taken in any more”. Gaby Labrum, a 31-year-old HR manager from Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire, became determined to shift the pounds in January 2022 ahead of her wedding, set for May this year.
Signing up to The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, Gaby said her weight started to drop and her mum, Debbie Labrum, 55, a finance director from Cheltenham, decided to join her. Since then, Gaby has dropped five dress sizes, while Debbie has dropped four dress sizes, and the duo said the support they have given each other has brought them closer together.
Gaby has had to sell her entire wardrobe for new clothes that fit and have her wedding dress altered as it became too big for her. Since first getting measured, she has gone down six wedding dress sizes and when her gown arrived for her first fitting, it was still two sizes too big.
“I still want to lose more weight, but my dress tailor has advised against it because the dress can’t be taken in any more than it already has,” Gaby said. “I’ve really proud of how far we’ve both come and it makes me even more excited for my wedding day.”
Starting at 20st 3lb, Gaby has lost nearly 8st, while Debbie, whose starting weight was 21st, has lost 5st 5lb since February 2022. “Since losing weight I have gained so much confidence in myself, taking on new challenges such as running and long country walks,” Gaby said.
“I’ve learned that I’m capable of anything if I put my mind to it and I am so excited to show off my weight loss at my wedding later this year. Having mum do the weight loss plan with me has been great because we’ve been able to support each other through it.”
It was back in January 2022 that Gaby first made the new year resolution to lose weight before tying the knot. Preparing to go dress shopping for her wedding, Gaby says she was “dreading” trying on gowns.
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She says she knew she needed to choose a dress around a year in advance. Gaby said: “It was a bit of a kick up the backside. It was January last year, so I had about five months to lose weight.
“When I saw an advert for the Cambridge Weight Plan in my local Facebook group I thought, ‘why not, what have I got to lose?’. My friends, family, and colleagues have all been so supportive throughout this entire journey, especially my mum. I just got it into my head and was like, ‘I’m doing this’.”
Joining The 1:1 Diet, Gaby chose from a range of meal replacement products, swapping large portions of chilli con carne and curry for low-calorie soups and porridge. Starting off weighing 20st 3lb and wearing a size 24, the 31-year-old says she noticed herself dropping weight rapidly.
In February, Debbie, who weighed 21st and wore a size 26, joined the weight loss programme after seeing how well Gaby was doing. Debbie said: “I also needed to do something drastic, and I could see that it was working for Gaby so I thought I’d give it a go as well.”
The pair said having each other to lean on for support has been a vital part of their weight loss and, while Gaby and Debbie have always been close, the journey has brought them even closer.
“We check in on each other through the week and when we have a family get-together, we’ve got each other for support,” said Gaby. “I’m not the only one eating differently, my mum is too, so you don’t feel like the odd one out.
“It’s quite good because if I pop round to mum’s house after work intending to stay for half an hour – but four hours later I’m still there – then mum will just give me one of her products so I’m not tempted to go off plan because I don’t have anything with me. On Mother’s Day, I followed a Cambridge Weight Plan recipe to make a dessert for the family. Everyone ate it and it made sticking to our plan so much easier.”
After 15 months, Gaby weighs 12st 4lb and wears a size 14, while Debbie is 15st 9lb and wears a size 18. “Before, I would always wear black and shop online whereas now I can walk into any shop and try things on that’ll fit me,” Gaby said. “I’ve completely changed my wardrobe since. As stuff got too big, I was selling it.”
Debbie added: “Being able to do this with Gaby has really helped. For me, it was increasing the volume of water that I drank each day that was the struggle. Having Gaby to remind me was really helpful. I was lucky if I had maybe a glass but now, I’m up to about three litres a day.
“To add to this, the support your 1:1 consultant gives you, the contact, the support, motivation and the weekly check-ins, are invaluable. I couldn’t have done it without all the support I’ve had and I’m also really looking forward to Gaby’s big day.”
