So big I cracked a TANNING BED

A humiliating experience led to Sue Thompson making a drastic change

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When my daughter was younger, there were certain aspects of motherhood that I dreaded. And it wasn't dealing with tantrums, or the moody teen years. It was the things most mothers enjoy. Like trips to the park, swimming and school assemblies.

I can still remember finding a letter in Jess' school bag in 2009 inviting parents in to watch the class Easter assembly. Jess, then 12, and her friends were singing and dancing and, while I should have been excited to watch her, instead I racked my brain for an excuse not to go, eventually telling Jess that I had a late shift at my job at a hospital.

She smiled, and wasn't too disappointed because she was used to me not going to things like that. But it wasn't because I didn't want to watch her perform - of course I did. The real reason was because I was too embarrassed about my size and was anxious about being too heavy for the small plastic chairs they always lined up in the school hall.

My weight had always held me back from doing things. Growing up, my dad Ray had been the cook at home and he made huge family meals, with plenty of butter and chips on the side. It had taken its toll on my weight, and as each year passed my clothes got tighter and tighter.

Comfort eating

In October 1994 I married my husband Shaun, but after walking me down the aisle, the following January, Dad died, aged 49, from a sudden heart attack.

I didn't want to go the same way as him but food was my comfort. When I felt sad, I ate, and when I felt good, I ate. By 37, I was easily a dress size 28.