I Lost 9st... And Beat The Bullies!

Laura Eastel was the subject of cruel taunts for decades, but now she looks – and feels – better than ever...

- Anna Verdon and Helen O'Brien

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been singled out. at school, my classmates called me ‘fatty’ and even as I got older people would stare at me in the street. Their eyes would scrutinise every inch of my round stomach before they’d turn to their friends and whisper. I thought I might never be free of the cruel taunts and vicious looks.only now, after losing 9st, these days when people stare, it’s for all the right reasons...

I was five when I first realised I was bigger than other children my age. It wasn’t long before I was picked on – ‘Look at your fat legs,’ they’d say, hurling abuse from across the playground. 

Mum told me to ignore their hurtful jibes, but how could I? As the years passed I turned to food for comfort – I’d ask for second helpings at dinner and would then sneak chocolate bars and crisps.

By the time I started secondary school I was huge and, although I made some friends, wearing a uniform meant for a child six years older than me, I felt like such an outsider. Not wanting anyone to see my body, I’d forge notes to get out of PE, but that didn’t stop the bullies. ‘Go and eat another cream cake,’ they’d jeer.

My friends would try to comfort me, but almost every night I’d burst into tears at home – before reaching for another bar of chocolate. The sugar high made me feel better, but it didn’t last long and I’d find myself eating more and more.

By 15 I was 19st. I longed to wear cropped T-shirts and miniskirts like other girls my age, but leggings and baggy tops were all that fit.