Grandmother, 39, loses SIX STONE after 5,000-calorie-a-day diet made her look like ‘an elephant’
Mum-of-four Natalie Sutherland started putting away up to six packets of crisps every day as she comfort ate to console herself while battling fertility issues
A GLAM gran has shed SIX STONE in a dramatic transformation after her 5,000-calorie-a-day diet made her look like "an elephant".
Mum-of-four Natalie Sutherland started to gain weight in 2011 after turning to food for comfort while battling with fertility problems and by 2013 she had ballooned to a whopping size 22 and was scoffing up to six packets of crisps a day.
Despite the joy of falling pregnant with her daughter Maddison, now two, later that year, 39-year-old Natalie's eating spiralled further out of control – leaving her looking like an "elephant".
The expectant mum took advantage of the excuse that she was "eating for two" and carried on gorging on up to 5,000 calories throughout her pregnancy and beyond.
The full-time mum claimed she was so disgusted with her appearance by 2016 that it made her feel sick to look in the mirror – and she even struggled to be affectionate with her husband Barry Sutherland, 30.
But the determined grandmother has now slimmed down to a sleek size eight using her before and after shots in matching outfits to keep her going.
Natalie, from Carterton, Oxfordshire, said: "I felt disgusted in myself. I couldn't look in the mirror without feeling sick. We only had one mirror which says a lot. I felt like I looked like an elephant.
"I used to be a photographer so I put the pictures together because they looked good next to each other. I matched the colours and outfits that went together.
"I did the comparison for myself and to motivate other people. It stops me from going backwards. I printed one off and put it on the fridge to keep me on track.
"The very first picture I uploaded online was the one of me in my bra and knickers.
"My husband didn't mind and said I should share what I had done with others and that it's nothing different to what you see on the beach.
"He urged me to share them and he shared them too and said, 'look what she's done'. He was proud of me."
Since losing the weight Natalie has finally been able to put her engagement and wedding rings back on which wouldn't fit whilst she was a size 22.
Natalie said: "I was very unhappy with myself. I didn't want to be touched. It was difficult to get dressed in front of my husband and to show any PDA [public displays of affection].
"I felt horrible but he's always supported me. It affected me more than it did him. He would have supported me regardless of what I decided to do.
"My husband would always say that I still look beautiful but you know when you're not attractive anymore.
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"It was terrible really. I don't even know how it got that bad. When I look back I'm just disgusted. I'm still appalled that I got that big. I became an emotional eater but I'm in control now.
"I used to turn down invitations to go out. I didn't have a social life. I could never find anything to wear because I would be disappointed. The clothes would never look like they did on the hanger."
At her biggest Natalie weighed 15st 7lbs after gorging on chocolate, cake, curries and pizza and snacking on up to two cream filled meringues a day.
But when she had to buy a size 22 swimming costume to take her little girl for lessons, Natalie knew it was time to make a change.
After joining Slimming World in February 2016, Natalie swapped sweet treats and takeaways for healthy snacks, homecooking and exercise.
Having been too embarrassed by her size to celebrate in the past, Natalie aimed to lose weight for her wedding anniversary in July 2016.
When the big day rolled around, Natalie was able to show off her svelte size 14 figure in a flattering dress.
Natalie's diet before and after her incredible weight loss
DAILY DIET BEFORE:
BREAKFAST - Nothing
LUNCH – Three cheese, cucumber and mayo sandwiches on white bread
DINNER – Spaghetti bolognaise with full-fat oil, chicken Kiev with potato waffles, pizza, takeaways
DRINKS – Full-fat coke, several cups coffee/tea with 2 sugars
SNACKS – Up to six packets of crisps, cake, meringues with cream
5,000 CALORIES
DAILY DIET NOW:
BREAKFAST – Two small slices of brown toast with poached eggs and tomatoes
LUNCH – Salad with pasta and salmon or chicken and rice
DINNER – Curries, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli (all with low-fat oil) and lots of steamed veggies
DRINKS – Sparkling water, sugar free cordials
SNACKS – Fruit, Ryvita, hi-fi bars, veg sticks
2,000 CALORIES
The mum's weight loss success only continued and Natalie has now dropped to a lean 9st 12lbs.
Natalie said: "We were having lots of problems with fertility so I got depressed. I comfort ate and then I got pregnant and I thought I could get away with eating more.
"After having the baby, I thought it would be fine to carry on eating like that. I couldn't go up the stairs without getting out of breath.
"Maddison also had terrible silent reflux that resulted in her feeding up to 16 times a day. This made me quite hungry most of the time but I reached for all of the wrong foods.
"I wanted to look nice for our wedding anniversary where we went out for a lovely meal and drinks. I was half way through my weight loss at this point.
"I was getting compliments from people which really pushed me to keep going.
"I feel like I've found myself again. I do still have the odd day where I think I look a bit fat. I don't think those insecurities have completely left.
"It has definitely changed my life. We have just come back from our first family holiday since I lost the weight. I've got a wardrobe full of nice clothes again before I would just wear black.
"I would never have worn these types of clothes before or be photographed in them before. My confidence has massively improved.
"I couldn't have done it without my Slimming World consultant Diane Attwell."
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