A Scots mum has shed an impressive seven stone after she was unable to fit into a rollercoaster ride on her holiday.
Stephanie McColl, who suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome, had always struggled with her weight.
But it was after the birth of her two daughters in 2011 that her weight soared, reports Glasgow Live.
The mum-of-two turned to takeaways 'for convenience' as she tried to balance work and her children.
Stephanie said: "Being overweight has always been an issue since my late teens. I've always been aware of it and maybe not fully confident in myself due to my size.
"Having two young children and working full time I often turned to take away food for convenience and didn’t have the same time as before to keep up with my daily activity."
Stephanie's unhealthy diet left her on medication for high blood pressure and anxiety before she was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019.
"As time went on I gained more and more weight and my health deteriorated. I often suffered from headaches, sore backs and I ended up on medication for high blood pressure and anxiety.
"In April 2019, I was diagnosed with kidney disease which was discovered through diagnosing gallstones.
"The gallstones were likely linked to my weight and poor diet. I was shocked and worried about what the future held but I still didn’t lose weight….I gained more. It was like self sabotage", she explained.
By 2020, Stephanie found everyday tasks 'challenging' and left her breathless, as her doctor warned he was concerned for her kidneys.
But it wasn't until she went on holiday that she'd get the wake-up call she need to make a change.
Stephanie said: "I was so miserable with my weight. Everyday tasks of having two young children were very challenging, even simple housework was hard work.
"Taking the girls to places like soft play, trampolining, and things like rides at zoos were humiliating because of my size. I felt like people would always stare at me.
"Going on holiday was dampened by my anxiety of getting on the plane and worrying about the seat belt not fitting. Then when we got there and went to theme parks I’d worry about not fitting into the rides - which did become reality.
"I struggled with a few rides where I was moved to a special row for larger people and also where staff had to physically force the lap bar down on me to the point it actually hurt me.
"People were staring and laughing and I was so embarrassed, not just for me but for my girls who seen it all, following my holiday I knew something had to change for my health and for my girls."
Stephanie took the plunge and got in touch with the Cambridge Weight Plan 1:1 diet shop in Dumbarton, ran by consultant Martin Bryan, in March 2020.
She has now shed seven stone and says she's 'never looked back'.
She said: "The difference is life-changing for my health and my family. I’m so happy that in March I decided to give the plan a go, otherwise I'm not sure where I would be now.
"I’m no longer on any medication and feel like a different person. I look forward to going on holiday now with the kids and not having all the worries I had before.
"I’m also enjoying going on days out with the girls and actually taking part in things like trampolining and laser tag. I can run about and not be out of breath and feel so self-conscious.
"I feel like I’ve been given a second chance, I’m so much happier, active and confident. My girls now have the mum they deserve and I feel years younger."
Martin added: "I can't begin to describe how proud I am of Stephanie. When I met her she was very nervous and quite shy, but I could tell how important this journey was for her and her girls. She turned up day one for her appointment ready to start, no putting it off, no last day blow outs - she was ready.
"Losing weight for her meant more than looking good and feeling confident. She did it to become healthier and repair damage associated with being overweight. There is no better feeling for a consultant when you help one of your clients overcome weight related conditions.
"Steph is now more confident than ever. I love watching all the things she's doing with the kids and not letting anything hold her back."
You can contact Martin here.
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