'I was a shell of myself'

After Charlie Grainger, 35, deleted pictures of herself because of how she looked, something had to change

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Looking back at photos and videos from a recent holiday, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I'd come. I love capturing these memories with my family - enjoying every moment.

It wasn't long ago when I'd avoid being in photos altogether. I'd been overweight my whole life.

I'd tried every diet under the sun, from calorie counting to meal replacements, and although I would lose the weight, I felt so restricted that I'd fall back into my old eating habits - and often put on more weight than I lost.

I tried to lose weight after my daughter Matilda, now five, was born. However, being a first-time mum and stuck at home in lockdown, I struggled to prioritise myself. I got pregnant again later that year but sadly lost the baby.

I eventually found an outlet in running to help cope with the pain but suffered a horrible ankle injury. After that, unable to run, I found comfort in baking and my weight soon felt out of control.

In April 2022, my husband Darryl and I welcomed Stanley, now three, and while we were so excited for his arrival, at seven months pregnant, I found myself on complete bed rest in hospital.

Desperately missing Matilda and my stepson Archie, now nine, I turned to comfort-eating through the remainder of my pregnancy.