Woman achieves 7st weight loss in one year after 'mortifying' plane experience
Like many of us, Genevieve Smith turned to emotional eating during the pandemic - a habit she struggled to shake.
A woman, who felt "mortified" by her appearance when she went on holiday to Spain, has seen an incredible 7st weight loss in a year.
Genevieve Smith, 44, went to PortAventura, Spain, for four days with her family in April 2022 and spent the time covering herself up as she felt so self-conscious.
At the time, she weighed 16st 12lbs, and was struggling to fit into size 22 clothing.
"During the pandemic, I started struggling [with my weight] and got out of control with eating," she explains. "I knew it was bad for me, but I couldn't break out of the cycle.
"Eventually, I started to worry about my health and if I carried on like this, I wouldn't be able to see my kids and family grow up. We went on holiday to Spain and it was the last straw for me.
"On the airplane, I almost needed to get a seatbelt extender and I was mortified. I was emotionally eating, and I struggled to get away from that."
After returning from her holiday, the mum-of-two began the Cambridge Diet Plan which sees users consume smoothies. She also cut down on the amount of sugar, carbohydrates and fats she was eating.
"Evenings would be tricky for me, it is often when I would sit in front of the TV and eat a lot," she adds. "When you have a lot of weight to lose, it is overwhelming to think about it. I focused on taking little milestones along the way."
She ended up going from a size 22 to a size 12 in seven months, and lost 7st 6.5lbs in one year. She now weighs 9st 5.5lbs.
"I have always been a foodie and growing up I was eating out, trying lots of different foods - it was a big part of my life," she explains. "I was eating a lot of sugar, and carbs, not drinking any water. Just lots of convenience things like toast or pastries in the morning, I would grab a meal deal for lunch and have lots of takeaways."
Now, Smith says she focuses on earring high amounts of proteins, vegetables, and salads. "I feel like a different person, it is amazing," she adds. "I feel so much better in myself mentally, I feel like I have found a new lease of life."
"Going on holiday, I feel confident in myself and play with my kids, go on the beach and wear swimming costumes. Looking back, I felt a lot of guilt and shame. I just want to give that person a hug, I am a lot kinder to myself now."
In April this year, Smith returned to PortAventura and says she felt 'so much happier' on the trip due to her weight loss.
"I wasn't trying to cover myself up, I felt so much better for it," she adds. "When I got back from holiday, I still fit in all my clothes and maintained my weight - it was a very different holiday."
Additional reporting by SWNS.
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