A WOMAN lost an incredible 11 stone after she was too embarrassed to ask for a seatbelt extender on a flight.
Sarah Speight, who tipped the scales at 25st and 1lb, wore size 28 clothes and indulged in a diet heavy with fast food favourites like pizza, chocolate cake, and McDonald's, while avoiding exercise.
The turning point for Sarah came when she felt too ashamed to request a seatbelt extender on a plane, instead pretending her belt was securely fastened.
After trying "every diet" without success, Sarah chose to have a gastric band fitted, shelling out £11k to bypass NHS waiting times.
Now weighing a svelte 13st 8lbs and fitting into a size 14, Sarah, from Stalybridge, says she feels "amazing" but has also noticed a stark change in how others perceive her.
The 35-year-old fraud investigator said: "I got a feeling that people would walk past me and say 'look at the size of her.' It gets in your head.
"People would just stare at you and wouldn't say hello or anything. It was like I was in some kind of freak show. Now, people tend to smile at you more. They say hi, I feel like you're treated like a normal person.
"I find that people interact a lot more with me. They'll talk to you and let on and smile at you, whereas before nobody batted an eyelid.
"The more people notice just makes you feel so good about yourself. And it's something I'm not used to because I've never had that."
This story is from the May 19, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 19, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STONES INJURY FEAR
England boss says City man taken off as precaution in friendly
Sir Jim could SELL Nice after buying Reds stake
INEOS is reportedly looking to sell Nice – less than six months after acquiring a minority stake in United.
Greenwood set to join Juventus, says Italian outlet
UNITED winger Mason Greenwood has reportedly agreed to join Juventus this summer.
United get green light to sign Branthwaite
UNITED have been given the green light to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer from his teammate. United are keen to complete a transfer for the 21-year-old but won’t be forced into a deal for extortionate money, M.E.N. Sport understands.
Mainoo's rise from academy to England star
IT has been an astonishing breakthrough campaign for Stockport teenager Kobbie Mainoo.
Germany squad left 'stunned' by Grealish omission
THE omission of Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad has reportedly left Germany team members in shock after Gareth Southgate opted instead for Eberechi Eze as part of his 26-man group.
Restrictions set to curb summer transfers
LIKE every other club, City have to try and work out how they think the transfer market is going to shape up.
Iceland loss will focus our minds says Southgate
GARETH Southgate says England’s shock loss to Iceland will knock any complacency out of a team he is certain will react strongly in their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
Tory MPs flee North for new 'safe' seats
IT WAS described as 'Rishi's Darkest Hour' on one front page. A few minutes after Nigel Farage announced he was returning to frontline politics to inflict more pain on the Tories this week, the latest polling painted an exceptionally bleak picture for the prime minister.
The STONE age
How the Roses' legendary concert at Spike Island defined Madchester era