Mum Kellie White lost half her body weight
But, after getting stuck in a fairground ride due to her size, she realised she needed to ditch the junk food after her eating had spiralled out of control.
In April 2014, she underwent a gastric bypass operation and now Kellie has shed 9st and is a size 10. Ms White, who works at a casino, said: “My weight had gotten so bad that I struggled to walk up the stairs.
“Diets never worked and I’d gorge on crisps all day long. I begged my GP to refer me for surgery – I knew it was the only thing that would work for me.
“Now after losing 9st, I feel absolutely incredible and love my new, slinky figure.”
In February 2002, Ms White’s 5ft 5in frame started to balloon after she gave birth to her daughter, Sophie, now 16.
At her worst Kellie couldn’t fit into a size 22 top
She said: “Before I had Sophie, I was 10st and a size 10. I’d never had a reason to worry about my weight. But when I became a busy mum I would grab snacks to keep my energy up.
“Crisps were my favourite snack because there’s no preparation involved and I’d eat five bags of salt and vinegar crisps a day.
“The more I ate, the more I craved. On top of that, I’d have three takeaways of burgers and chips a week. I was busy and they were a quick, easy alternative to cooking from scratch. I’d spend around £20 a week on takeaways.
“And soon I craved greasy food rather than homemade meals.”
By the time Ms White turned 30 in 2013, her weight had ballooned to 19st 7lbs and she was a size 22.
Kellie kicked her crisp habit and lost the weight
She said: “I hated the way I looked. I was self-conscious of my size and would hide my frame in baggy clothes.
“I’d stay in the house as much as I could to avoid being seen. I tried my best to diet, but nothing seemed to work – I’d give in to my cravings and the weight would pile back on. But in 2012, I was shopping for new clothes.
“I tried on a size 22 top but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get squeeze it over my stomach. I was mortified and ran out of the shop in tears. I knew I had to change. I took Sophie to a fair one day in 2013 and wanted to go on a waltzer ride with her.
“But the bar wouldn’t go down on me and I had to get off the ride. I was too fat to go on it. I was absolutely mortified and could see everyone staring at me.
“I knew I needed medical help to lose the weight.”
After surgery and a tough diet, Kellie lost 10st
Ms White visited her GP in November 2013 who told her she was obese and warned that she could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
She was referred and in April 2014, underwent a gastric bypass operation on the NHS at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Ms White says: “I knew my weight was affecting my health but the doctor’s warning really scared me.
“The day before the operation I knew it would be my last chance to eat so I gorged on a greasy burger and a Chinese takeaway. After the op, one teaspoon of yoghurt filled me up. I craved my salty crisps but knew I couldn’t have any if I wanted to lose the weight.
“It was hard, but in three weeks I lost three stone and was spurred on when my clothes began to feel loose. Within six months, I could walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.”
By July 2017, Ms White had lost a whopping 9st and weighed 10st 7lbs and was a size 10.
She says: “I discovered I was pregnant in 2016 and was worried that I’d gain weight during the pregnancy. Luckily I managed to stay healthy by sticking to a meal plan.
“I gave birth to my daughter Charlotte, now one, in January 2017 and kept losing weight as I could only eat very small portions. Now I love my new figure. I’m finally able to run around with my daughters without getting out of breath.
“Sometimes, I crave crisps but I avoid eating them. I know that cutting them out of my diet was completely worthwhile. I’m so much more confident now and know that I can set a good example for my daughters.”
