Unflattering holiday photo sparks woman’s dramatic weight loss

By Nathan Pynn

A 280-pound nursery worker shed HALF her body weight without using fat jabs after being left "devastated" by a Christmas party photo.

Alice Day, 30, spent $135-a-week gorging on take-out pizza and curries, washed down with full fat fizzy drinks.

At her heaviest she tipped the scales at 20st 11lbs (291 pounds) and was forced to wear size 24 clothes.

Her weight began to impact her work and she struggled to kneel down to help the children she cared for at a nursery.

The tipping point came after she saw photos from a Christmas work party and decided to turn her life around.

The 5ft 10ins child minder ditched her fatty meals for lean, high-protein options and started running.

In just two years Alice lost 10st 5lbs (145 pounds) and shrank to a svelte size eight.

Recalling the moment she saw the Christmas party snap, Alice said: "Looking back, that evening really was my turning point.

"It wasn't just because of the photo itself - it was how it made me feel afterwards.

"I remember looking at the photos and feeling devastated.

"It should have been a lovely memory of a night out with my colleagues, but instead all I could focus on was how unhappy and uncomfortable I felt in myself.

"I realized I was spending so much of my life worrying about my weight instead of enjoying the moments and making memories.

"That was my final straw. I remember thinking, 'I'm only in my twenties - I should be living my life, not avoiding cameras, lacking confidence and feeling held back because of my weight.'"

Alice, from Warwick, joined her local Slimming World club in January 24.

She said: "When I first walked in I felt so nervous and ashamed.

"To have reached the size I was at such a young age, I knew it wasn't good.

"I should've been living my best life but instead I had crippling sciatica and worried that I'd develop type 2 diabetes, which runs in my family. That day changed my life."

Alice learnt recipes for 'fakeaways' - healthy versions of the curries and pizzas she craved - and got into exercising.

She said: "My boyfriend Sam and I have been together for eight years.

"When we moved in together nightly takeaways and convenience food became a bit of a habit.

"Before I knew it, my weight had spiralled out of control. We were spending about £100 ($135) a week which was just crazy."

Since losing the weight, Alice says boyfriend Sam has also got into shape.

She added: "Everyone's been so supportive, I couldn't have done it without them.

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"And Sam has lost weight too, just from eating the same meals as me."

In time, Alice noticed that her sciatica had disappeared and that physical activity was much easier.

She said: "I work with children in a nursery, so it's a job where I'm on my feet all day.

"I used to struggle to get down on the floor to play with the children, but now I don't think twice about it.

"My colleagues say I'm much more present now, which is so lovely to hear."

Alice has combined her new diet with exercise which has helped keep the weight off.

She said: "What started as going for walks has grown into a genuine love of running, and I've recently completed my first ever 10k.

"It's something I never imagined I'd be capable of when I first joined, and it's shown me just how much my confidence and fitness have grown."

Alice managed to lose 8st (112 pounds) by the time she flew to Disney World in Florida to celebrate her 30th birthday.

She said: "We were clocking up about 30,000 steps a day in the heat, but it wasn't a problem for me at all.

"In the past, being that active would have exhausted me and aggravated my sciatica.

"Plus I'd have worried about fitting on the rides.

"As for the money we've saved on takeaway, some of that went towards the Disney trip but a lot also went on new clothes.

"I absolutely love shopping now - dressing in bright colours and fitted tops that I wouldn't have dared to wear before.

"I'm half the size but I have double the confidence – and that's a feeling money can't buy."

Before menu:

Breakfast: Nothing – or occasionally a bowl of sugary cereal

Lunch: Sandwiches, meal deals from the shop or high-calorie snacks

Dinner: Takeaway pizza, curry or Thai food

Snacks: crisps, chocolate, full sugar fizzy drinks

After menu:

Breakfast: Poached eggs on wholemeal toast with tomatoes

Lunch: Jacket potato with beans and salad

Dinner: Chinese chicken and vegetable stir fry, homemade spaghetti Bolognese

Snacks: Fresh fruit, fat-free yogurt, healthy homemade snacks