MUM DIDN'T RECOGNISE ME

Vicky Barnett, 29, lost an amazing 7st 1lb

- FIONA KINLOCH

Scrutinising myself in the navy-blue dress, I turned my size-26 figure towards the seamstress. ‘I’ll take a size 18,’ I announced. It was July last year, and I’d vowed to slim down ahead of my role as a bridesmaid at my friend Jasmine’s wedding, scheduled for this year.

Only, the seamstress flinched at my request before moving in closer. ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’ she whispered. And, as I looked at the other bridesmaids at the fitting, so svelte and elegant in their dresses, I began to doubt whether I had it in me to make such a change.

My tumultuous relationship with food started when I was a teenager. My stepdad’s job as a farmer meant we’d relocated frequently, and each time I started a new school, the anxiety was only alleviated by eating unhealthy comfort foods, including crisps and sausage rolls.