My 11st Weight Loss Secret

Jane Bratton, 36, used her Valentine’s Day present to help shift the pounds.

- James Hanman And Chantelle Rees

As I looked out of the kitchen window, I saw my husband John playing football with our sons Bailey, then six, and Brody, two. It was summer 2014 and darting around the garden with the ball, they all looked like they were having so much fun. Spotting me, Bailey waved and, forcing a smile, I grinned back, but inside all I felt was jealousy.

I was desperate to run after them and wrestle them to the floor with tickles, but they’d only ever known me as the mum who watched from the sidelines.

For as long as I can remember, my weight had been a battle. Crisps were my weakness and throughout my teens I weighed 16st and wore a size 18. I’d lose a few pounds only to pile it all back on, plus a bit more. In August 2003, when I’d slimmed down from a size 18 to a size 14, I met John in a club. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me out.

And, in the months that followed, happy in a new relationship, I let my diet slip. We treated ourselves to Chinese takeaways at the weekends, as well as kebabs and burgers and chips.

It wasn’t long before I piled back on the weight that I’d lost and I crept back up to 24st and a size 22. John gained weight too, but his warehouse job was very physical, so he could work it off easily. ‘Look at me, I’m fat and ugly,’ I’d moan, grabbing my belly. ‘No you’re not, I love you for you,’ John insisted.

Falling in love

He never had an issue with my weight, and said I should only lose it for me. But as John worked nights, I’d find myself sitting on the sofa alone, watching TV and raiding the cupboards out of boredom.

I could easily eat a family-size bar of chocolate, five bags of crisps, and a whole packet of digestives in a few hours.