Turning the corner into the playground, I gave my son, Noah, four, a big smile. ‘Are you excited?’ I asked, and he gave an enthusiastic nod in response.
Today was his first day in Reception, another milestone – but, looking around, I came to a horrifying realization. Unlike the other mums – who looked chic and slim in active-wear or jeans and nice tops – I’d opted for an old, black maternity sweatshirt and jeggings. Even then, the baggy and stretchy fabric couldn’t hide my true size. At 18st and a size 24, I was by far the biggest mum in the whole school.
As I said goodbye to Noah, I pulled at my top, hoping it would cover more of my bum. But as embarrassed as I felt, it didn’t compare to how scared I was for my little boy. What if my weight ruined his first day? I knew first hand that children can be cruel.
With wife Lisa (right) on their wedding day
Joking around
By the time I was 15, I wore a size 18 and asked my parents to help me to diet. But with no willpower, nothing ever worked, and growing up I tried my best to make light of my weight.
I’d shout out things like ‘lookout, a big girl running’ during PE classes, figuring I’d rather have the bullies laughing with me, than at me. Yet it didn’t stop me getting the cruel taunts or sideways glances.
After leaving school, my weight continued to creep up. I got a job in an office and, in 2006, I met Lisa, then 33. She had two girls from a previous relationship, and we married in July 2010, when I was 26. I was the happiest I’d ever been, but my weight continued to soar.
Denne historien er fra July 13, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra July 13, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FAST & THRIFTY DINNERS
Filling family meals to save you time and money
ARE VIRAL FITNESS TRENDS WORTH THE HYPE?
Keen to know if the workouts she sees online can actually make her fitter, Rachel Tompkins, 44, gives them a try
GO OUT OF SEASON
While some European cities seem to go into hibernation over winter, others just get better in the colder months
MY LIFE IN MUSIC
Monica Cafferky, 55, reveals how certain tunes bring back special memories
THE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
After trying diets without success, Breanne Concannon, 31, was left feeling hopeless
MY TOY ΒΟΥ KEEPS ME YOUNG
For Trish Hughes, 44, the thrills of being married to a man 20 years younger is worth all the judgement
'THAT'S NOT MY BABY'
Lying in the hospital bed, my husband Michael had tears of happiness in his eyes as he showed me a photo on his phone. 'Here she is,' he said proudly. 'This is our beautiful baby girl.'I stared at the photo and shook my head. 'No, that's not my baby,' I said. 'There must be a mistake.'It was August 2010 and I'd not long before had an emergency caesarean. I'd not had a chance to see Winnie when she arrived as she'd been whisked away for tests because she was nearly two months premature.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Hayley, 45, has her son to thank for crucial evidence
'I'D LOVE TO DO EASTENDERS'
Loose Women's Linda Robson on the daytime show, dating and her next career move
Beckhams INSIDE THEIR PROPERTY EMPIRE
We take a look at the power couple's posh pads
