Obese mum-of-three transforms her body after a trip to Madame Tussauds gave her a harsh reality check
Lisa Bullen, 44, lost a whopping seven stone, having gone up to a size 22 when she gave up smoking 10 years ago
A MUM-OF-TWO was shocked into losing seven STONE and turning her life around by a photograph of her cuddling up to Shrek at Madame Tussauds.
Lisa Bullen, 44, from Hillingdon, Greater London, piled on the pounds after quitting smoking ten years ago.
She dealt with the problem by hiding away from the rest of the world, working as an early morning cleaner and avoiding nights out.
But a photograph of herself looking as big as the cartoon ogre gave her the jolt she needed and Lisa quickly sprang into action.
She lost an incredible seven stone and now feels she has taken control of her life again.
Looking back, Lisa sees how she started piling on the pounds when she gave up smoking.
She recalls: “At first it was gradual as I substituted ciggies for food. To fill the void left by nicotine, I’d eat chocolate or biscuits or chips.
“And before I knew it, I'd ballooned from a healthy size 14 to a size 22.
“My family didn't mention it. Bless them, they didn't want to hurt my feelings.
“And my husband, Jim, was happy with me whatever my size.”
To avoid dealing with her weight, Lisa told how she did everything in her power to hide herself away.
She explains: “Hauling myself out of bed at five am, it was pitch black outside and the rest of my family were tucked up in bed, fast asleep. There wasn’t a soul on the streets.
“But I loved it. Working as an early morning cleaner in a school meant I’d clocked off by 8am and was safely home by nine.
“It suited me that way. I didn't see anybody and they didn't see me.”
Lisa also avoided nights out like the plague, preferring to spend time only with family and close friends.
She says: “When friends invited me on a night out, I imagined myself in a bar surrounded by skinny, beautiful people. They were all looking at me and judging me.
“It was easier to lie and pretend I was busy.”
Lisa’s laidback hubby, Jim, 46, became used to her ways.
She admits: “If he had a work night out looming, I either refused point blank to go or said yes and then made an excuse at the last minute and stayed at home.”
In April 2013 Lisa’s daughter, Ciara, 21, surprised her with a day out at Madame Tussauds for her birthday.
Related Stories
She remembers: “We had a fantastic day, giggling as I posed for photos with Lady Gaga and George Clooney.
“Then I spotted Shrek. It’s one of my favourite films and I had to have a photograph with him.”
But the next day, as she munched on a slice of cake and scrolled through the photographs on her phone, Lisa gasped in horror.
There she was, cuddled up to Shrek and looking almost as big as him.
Lisa says: “I was horrified. My life was good and I was happy. But the photograph forced me to admit that I was hugely overweight.
“For the first time, I saw clearly that my whole life was engineered around hiding myself away.
“How had I let myself get so big?”
As Lisa stared at the photograph of Shrek, she knew she had to make some changes.
She explains: “Searching online, I found a local meeting. I had friends who swore by Slimming World to lose weight. Maybe that was the answer.
“But as Wednesday came around each week, I always had an excuse not to go. The freezer urgently needed defrosting or I was washing my hair.
“I felt embarrassed and intimidated.”
But after three months of scrutinising the website, she had no more excuses.
Walking into the room with her youngest daughter, Jade, 17, who’d come along for moral support, Lisa was terrified.
She admits: “When the consultant asked me to pop on the scales in a private room, I nearly made a run for it.
“I couldn’t remember the last time I’d weighed myself.
“But Jade was encouraging and the consultant let me know that I didn’t have to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with.
“My weight flashed up – 17st 6lb – and I nearly burst into tears.
“But everybody in the group was supportive and believed in me.”
Back at home, Lisa studied the Slimming World meal planner she was given at the group.
But she also continued eating whatever food she fancied.
She says: “Gradually, I became more and more frustrated with myself. What was wrong with me?”
Ten days later, Jim walked into the family kitchen to a scene of mayhem.
Lisa explains: “I’d cleared out the fridge and got rid of all the junk food.
“I’d finally made the decision. I was going to lose weight.
“All the family agreed to support me and Jim helped cook the meals.”
Once Lisa started following the eating plan, the weight dropped off her and she found she had more energy.
She says: “I dashed up and down the stairs instead of puffing and panting my way up.
“And as the pounds fell off, my confidence began to return.”
Flicking through the local paper she spotted an advert for a teaching assistant at a special needs school.
She admits: “In the past, I wouldn’t have applied. I didn’t think I was good enough. But this was the new me and I believed in myself.
“Before the interview I was nervous - but it obviously didn’t show because I got the job.”
After that there was no stopping Lisa. She shopped for new clothes and enrolled on a college course.
She also went to her first work party in 19 years.
Lisa says: “Slipping into my new frock at the hotel as I got ready with work pals, I realised I didn’t feel self-conscious. I was on cloud nine.”
With energy to spare, Lisa took up running.
She says: “Pulling on my running gear and plugging my headphones in after work, I got a real sense of freedom as I pounded the pavements.
“I completed my first 5km race in 27 minutes, followed by a 10km run for the charity SANDS.
“I’ve even entered the London Marathon.”
A year on, Lisa is in the best shape of her life. She weighs 10st 12lb and wears a dress size 10-12.
She says: “On a family holiday to Corfu, I wore a bikini for the first time in my life.
“And I’m not sure how Ciara feels about it but I love borrowing her size 10 jeans.”
From time to time, Lisa sneaks a peek at the dreaded Shrek photograph to remind herself of how far she has come.
She says: “No way do I want to go back to hiding away.
“I want to be the best I can be. And as for Shrek? Never, ever again.”
Do you have a story like Lisa's? We pay for your stories! Email us at [email protected]