From Beached Whale Beach To Babe

An embarrassing holiday photo encouraged Clare Woodall to lose 10st.

- Anna Verdon And Laura Thomas

Anyone who has tried to lose weight will tell you there’s one moment when suddenly they were spurred into action. For some it’s struggling to do up the button on their jeans, for others it might be a little more embarrassing, like breaking a chair. For me, it was something simple – seeing some holiday photos.

I hadn’t always been big. Growing up I was always out on my bike and mum would make sure I ate properly, cooking roast dinners and spaghetti Bolognese. as a result, throughout school I was a size 12, normal for my 5ft 5in frame.

But that soon changed when, aged 18, I fell pregnant. while my partner, Barry, and I were so happy, I took it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted – and I succumbed to every chocolate craving I had.

By the time I gave birth to our daughter, Caitlyn, in October 1998, I’d piled on 5st and was a size 20. I felt huge, but I told myself it was just baby weight, it would soon fall off. Only, with a newborn to look after, I was exhausted. Unable to face the thought of cooking, most nights Barry and I would order a takeaway.

The bigger I got the more difficult shopping became. I struggled to find anything to fit, and looking at myself in the mirror left me depressed.

In 2004, I fell pregnant again and put on yet more weight. Giving birth to Leon in May 2005, aged 25, I was a size 22. Desperate to slim down, I’d skip breakfast and lunch, but by the afternoon I’d be so hungry I’d gorge on crisps and chocolate bars. Unsurprisingly, my weight didn’t budge.