'Tis the season to be GLAMOROUS

Rosie Sweeney was determined to slim down to make her children proud

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Catching a glimpse of myself in a photo on holiday, I cringed. I was wearing a leopard-print dress, my arms were flabby and my face was bloated. Next to my children, I looked like an unhealthy, overweight mum, and it was then that I decided to get back in shape to make them proud.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been the big girl in my friendship group, but I was never hugely unhappy with my body. Before falling pregnant through IVF in 2015, I was around 13st. My diet wasn’t great, but it wasn’t out of control, either. I enjoyed treats and takeaways, but I also made sure I ate healthily most of the time.

When I gave birth in January 2016 to twins Sebastian and Spencer, I managed to lose more weight than the pregnancy pounds that I’d gained simply by running around after them, taking me to 12st.

Then, in October 2017, my dad Harinder died of oesophageal cancer, aged 70. He’d only been diagnosed with the disease a few months earlier and, despite having chemotherapy, his health deteriorated.

When he passed away, I was heartbroken and turned to food for comfort. Sitting at home devouring crisps and chocolate became my coping mechanism, and each morning when I felt down or depressed I’d reach for the biscuit tin. Lunch would be a cheese sandwich, and in the evenings I’d hoover up any leftovers from the kids’ dinner, then order a takeaway for me and my husband, Joseph.

ROSIE’S DIET

BEFORE BREAKFAST: Tea, digestive biscuits