Did I Really Look Like This?

Jo Burnett, 26, was shocked into action when she saw a picture of herself in festive fancy dress

- Kara O'neill & Chantelle Rees

As I tucked into a greasy pizza, I felt almost giddy with excitement. Ordering a takeaway was the highlight of the day for me, and I could easily devour my sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice and a side of chips, as well as a tub of ice cream for dessert.

It had been a long day, I told myself. There was always an excuse. Work stress, family problems, a bad night’s sleep – I could convince myself that any kind of circumstance meant I deserved a treat. But when I was finished scoffing my dinner, my bloated tummy strained under my trousers and I felt full of guilt and self-loathing.

Piling on the pounds

I’d always been big, ever since I was a teenager. I loved snacking, and even though Mum would try her best to make me healthy, home-cooked meals, I never seemed to be full. So I’d treat myself to a chocolate bar or some biscuits. I knew I was putting on weight, but always managed to kid myself that it wasn’t really that bad.

My weight crept up slowly, and before I knew it, I weighed 18st and barely fitted into size 22 clothes. At 5ft 5in, I was huge.

Desperate to shift some pounds, I tried every faddy diet I could, but I’d only last a few days before relapsing, which would inevitably turn into an out-of-control bingeing session.

Worrying symptoms