I Was Given Two Weeks To Live
NOW|October 29, 2018

After weighing in at 28st, Lisa Smith, 44, was given a simple ultimatum diet or die

Ellen Finch
I Was Given Two Weeks To Live

My friend Andrea put her hand on my stomach and smiled. ‘Can you feel him kicking?’ I asked her excitedly. It was November 2007, and I was seven months pregnant with a baby boy – my third child.

Having experienced six miscarriages, I was elated to see my bump grow. ‘I can’t wait to meet him!’ said Andrea. But then her tone suddenly changed and she became very serious.

‘I wanted to talk to you,’ she said gently. ‘It’s about your weight.’ I took a deep breath. ‘I’m worried that if you don’t do something, it’s going to kill you,’ she continued.

Embarrassed and angry, I didn’t respond. Instead, I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the house, humiliated. But I was out of breath before I reached the end of her drive and I realised Andrea was right.

Out of control

Most women put on some weight during their pregnancy, but in the space of seven months, I’d gained 10st 7lb.

Before I’d fallen pregnant, I’d weighed 15st, I had an active lifestyle and ate home-cooked meals – I thought I was healthy. But soon after I fell pregnant, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and put on insulin injections. It had been since then that my weight had spiralled out of control.

I started snacking more, munching up to four packets of crisps a day before treating myself to a Chinese takeaway a few times a week.

‘Surely that’s not enough to pile on over 10st!’ I sighed to my partner John*.

But he was as worried as Andrea, and although her warning had hit me hard, I knew she was only doing it out of love for me.

Andrea and I made up, but I still didn’t take what she had told me seriously.

Esta historia es de la edición October 29, 2018 de NOW.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 29, 2018 de NOW.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE NOWVer todo
7 Golden Rules For A Drama-Free One-Night Stand
NOW

7 Golden Rules For A Drama-Free One-Night Stand

Just perfect if you want your office Christmas party to go with a bang!

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 03, 2018
6 Ways To Tell If He Just Wants Sex
NOW

6 Ways To Tell If He Just Wants Sex

6 ways to tell if he just wants sex

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 11, 2019
Fans Tell Jacqueline - ‘You Need To Divorce Dan'
NOW

Fans Tell Jacqueline - ‘You Need To Divorce Dan'

Rumours that Dan Osborne was unfaithful sees fans beg his wife to leave him

time-read
2 minutos  |
March 25, 2019
'I'll Be Here When You Realise The Grass Isn't Greener!
NOW

'I'll Be Here When You Realise The Grass Isn't Greener!

Jamie puts his feelings to one side as friends worry Louise is lost in showbiz...

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 21, 2017
The Sad Decline Of Sarah Harding
NOW

The Sad Decline Of Sarah Harding

From glamorous pop star with the world at her feet to recovering addict

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 21, 2017
Why Meghan Markle Is The Most Surprising Royal-To-Be
NOW

Why Meghan Markle Is The Most Surprising Royal-To-Be

She's set to wed Prince Harry, but who is woman shaking up the Royal Family?

time-read
1 min  |
August 21, 2017
Alicia Douvall: ‘If either of my daughters want plastic surgery I'll send them for therapy!'
NOW

Alicia Douvall: ‘If either of my daughters want plastic surgery I'll send them for therapy!'

Cosmetic surgery addict Alicia opens up to Now about her new healthy lifestyle and being a mum

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 21, 2017
It Seems They Were Never Really Perfect After All...
NOW

It Seems They Were Never Really Perfect After All...

The real Chris and Anna revealed

time-read
1 min  |
August 21, 2017
Jamie's Plea To Louise 'Stop Putting Work First And Let's Have Another Baby!'
NOW

Jamie's Plea To Louise 'Stop Putting Work First And Let's Have Another Baby!'

As Louise takes drastic measures to launch a modelling career, Jamie issues an ultimatum…

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 28, 2017
'I Can Be Famous In America Too, Mark!'
NOW

'I Can Be Famous In America Too, Mark!'

As Mark prepares to move Stateside, Lauren is determined to be the bigger star…

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 28, 2017