At almost 30 stone a Norwich woman could barely stand, was forced to wear 'tent-shaped clothing' and snacked in secret. But finding love spurred her on to lose an astounding 13 stone 10.5lbs – without a gym in sight.
Liz Knight, 42 from Norwich, used food as a comfort as one of the only things she had control over in her life, but 13 months on she's lost over 13 stone with the help of Slimming World and her partner Jo Long.
Mrs Knight said: 'I used to get very bad pains in my back, hips, feet and my ankles would swell. I couldn't stand. I'd had to hop from one foot to the other.
'Clothes shopping was awful as I was a size 38/40. I just had to wear what would fit me which was usually tent-shaped clothing.
'I used food as comfort as one of the only things I had control over.
'I would eat whatever I could get my hands on and definitely eat in secret too.
'After dark when I was alone I was ordering takeaways and watching films by myself, but I didn't see what I was doing at the time.'
But in December 2015 she decided enough was enough - two years after her civil partnership to long-term girlfriend Jo.
Now she had found someone she loved, but still didn't love herself when she looked in the mirror.
She said: 'I decided I had to do something as I couldn't let my weight be an issue any longer. If I didn't do something I was going to end up very ill.
'I remember standing outside Slimming World and all I wanted to do was run home.
'At 29 stone 11lbs I was the biggest person in there, but I found a seat and had the Slimming World Chat everyone gets when they join. I just wanted to cry and say to them, I need some help.'
After a week she had lost 9lbs and over the last 13 months the weight has continued to drop off.
She swapped 'junk rubbish food' for warm clothes and walking shoes, and has lost 13 stone to date without using a gym.
But food continues to be like a drug to Liz so she always has to keep an eye on what she's eating.
Liz added: 'I didn't join the gym as they can be very pricey so I went out in search of hills and steps to climb and it works.
'We have a dog that we go on walks with a lot, and he definitely helps me keep fit.
'Food was like a drug of sorts and I'll always have to keep my eye on the ball.'
Instead of processed foods and takeaways, she now cooks food from scratch so she can make sure she knows what she's eating.
She walks everywhere now and enjoys finding new recipes and making them more healthy.
Jo often says she can't keep up with her on walks now.
After 13 months, she has lost 13 stone 10.5 lbs, almost half her body weight, and plans on losing another one stone seven lbs.
She is also saving up to renew her vows next year, and this time she can't wait to go wedding dress shopping.
'I do believe you have to sort yourself out so you are able to sort your issues out.
'I have excess skin and I don't look perfect, but I say I wasn't perfect before so may as well be imperfect and live a longer life and be happy.'
Have you got a weight loss story? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk
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