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'i already felt dead'

Mum who hit 22st from binge eating after her husband’s suicide makes ‘a choice to live’… and shares her impressive 6st weight loss in a time-lapse video

She spiralled into depression and comfort eating... but then turned her life around for her boys

A MUM-OF-TWO who spiralled into depression after her husband’s suicide has shed more than 6 stone after ‘choosing to live’.

Justine McCabe lost 6st 4lb in just one year, and has shared an amazing time lapse video of her transformation in a bid to inspire others.

Justine became an emotional eater after losing her mum two years ago, and said she left like she was already dead when her husband then took his own life in February last year.

Despite her crippling grief, Justine was determined to become healthier for her two sons, and began to eat healthily and hit the gym.

 Justine was left devastated after her husband (left) committed suicide. The right-hand picture shows her after a year of dieting
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Justine was left devastated after her husband (left) committed suicide. The right-hand picture shows her after a year of dietingCredit: Instagram

, she explained: “I want to help #raise others up as we push ourselves forward to a better life.

“I often tag #IChooseToLive with my photos because it is a constant choice I make every day to truly live.

 Justine's ENTIRE FAMILY can now fit into an old pair of her shorts... which used to be a snug fit
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Justine's ENTIRE FAMILY can now fit into an old pair of her shorts... which used to be a snug fitCredit: Instagram
 The dramatic transformation has left her with visible 'scars'
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The dramatic transformation has left her with visible 'scars'Credit: Instagram

“I have spent the last 12 years of my life simply existing. Two short years ago my world began to crumble when my mother died unexpectedly.

“Around that same time I was fighting an extremely debilitating back injury. I was losing myself.

 Justine now looks like a COMPLETELY different person
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Justine now looks like a COMPLETELY different personCredit: Instagram
 She hits the gym EVERY DAY in a bid to stay slim
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She hits the gym EVERY DAY in a bid to stay slimCredit: Instagram

“I fell deep into emotional eating and depression as I had become the rock solid foundation for my children and my husband, who was struggling with a very serious battle of lifelong depression.

“In February 2015 he lost that battle and took his own life. To say I was devastated could not even touch on how I felt.

 Justine's old clothes literally hang off her
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Justine's old clothes literally hang off herCredit: Instagram
 She has a new love for exercising and going for runs outdoors
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She has a new love for exercising and going for runs outdoorsCredit: Instagram

“I too wanted to die. I already felt dead. A lot of people have asked me how I have managed to lose 88 pounds during such a dark, grieving time.

“The answer is almost simple. I chose to live. I had to change. I had to fight back.

“This picture is a true depiction of a ‘lifestyle change’. July 2014 vs July 2015.

 'My journey hasn't been easy but as each new day comes, I get stronger!'
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'My journey hasn't been easy but as each new day comes, I get stronger!'Credit: Instagram
 Justine's diet now involves lots of veg and salad
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Justine's diet now involves lots of veg and saladCredit: Instagram

“To me it means so much more than just a 75 pound weight loss. My journey hasn't been easy but as each new day comes, I get #stronger!

“A month or so ago I posted my story to Facebook for my friends! I would love to now share it with you all and hope that it can help inspire others! Let's all choose to live and raise one another up!”

 'The human spirit is powerful. Do the work. Suffer the setbacks, push past the pain and excuses'
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'The human spirit is powerful. Do the work. Suffer the setbacks, push past the pain and excuses'Credit: Instagram
 'The person you see reflecting in the mirror will provide you with the biggest challenges in life'
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'The person you see reflecting in the mirror will provide you with the biggest challenges in life'Credit: Instagram

Justine has been documenting her transformation on Instagram and her blog – ending up with the amazing transformation time lapse video.

Posting the video online, she wrote: “The person you see reflecting in the mirror...will provide you with the biggest challenges in life.

 Justine was widowed in February last year... but is determined to embrace life and live it to the full
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 Justine was widowed in February last year... but is determined to embrace life and live it to the fullCredit: Instagram

“The human spirit is powerful. Do the work. Suffer the setbacks, push past the pain and excuses. True motivation is not an outside source. It's staring directly back at you.

“There is nothing you cannot be, do or have. Live with no regrets and don't ever give up. This is what drives me. My motivation.”